§ 3177. Use of photovoltaic energy in public buildings

• (a)
  • (1) The Administrator of General Services may establish a photovoltaic energy commercialization program for the procurement and installation of photovoltaic solar electric systems for electric production in new and existing public buildings.
  • (2) The purposes of the program shall be to accomplish the following:
    • (A) To accelerate the growth of a commercially viable photovoltaic industry to make this energy system available to the general public as an option which can reduce the national consumption of fossil fuel.
    • (B) To reduce the fossil fuel consumption and costs of the Federal Government.
    • (C) To attain the goal of installing solar energy systems in 20,000 Federal buildings by 2010, as contained in the Federal Government’s Million Solar Roof Initiative of 1997.
    • (D) To stimulate the general use within the Federal Government of life-cycle costing and innovative procurement methods.
    • (E) To develop program performance data to support policy decisions on future incentive programs with respect to energy.
  • (3)
    • (A) The program shall provide for the acquisition of photovoltaic solar electric systems and associated storage capability for use in public buildings.
    • (B) The acquisition of photovoltaic electric systems shall be at a level substantial enough to allow use of low-cost production techniques with at least 150 megawatts (peak) cumulative acquired during the 5 years of the program.
  • (4) The Administrator shall administer the program and shall—
    • (A) issue such rules and regulations as may be appropriate to monitor and assess the performance and operation of photovoltaic solar electric systems installed pursuant to this subsection;
    • (B) develop innovative procurement strategies for the acquisition of such systems; and
    • (C) transmit to Congress an annual report on the results of the program.
• (b)
  • (1) Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall establish a photovoltaic solar energy systems evaluation program to evaluate such photovoltaic solar energy systems as are required in public buildings.
  • (2) In evaluating photovoltaic solar energy systems under the program, the Administrator shall ensure that such systems reflect the most advanced technology.
• (c)
  • (1) There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (a) $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010. Such sums shall remain available until expended.
  • (2) There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (b) $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010. Such sums shall remain available until expended.