Related Deployment Efforts in New Orleans, Louisiana
In addition to focusing on rebuilding schools and homes with energy efficiency, New Orleans, Louisiana, is incorporating alternative fuels and solar energy into rebuilding efforts by participating in the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Clean Cities and Solar America Communities initiatives.
Clean Cities
In 2008, DOE designated the Southeast Louisiana Clean Fuels Partnership (SLCFP) as the 86th Clean Cities Coalition. Since the designation, SLCFP has led numerous projects to reduce the region's petroleum consumption, including:
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Adding 39 new Regional Transit Authority (RTA) biodiesel-fueled buses; the RTA also operates the New Orleans streetcar system, which includes 36 electric streetcars operating along three streetcar lines
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Adding 13 propane hybrid passenger vans and minibuses to Airport Shuttle New Orleans' fleet, which serves Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
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Working with Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. to add 327 hybrid vehicles to its New Orleans distribution fleet—the largest hybrid fleet in size and number throughout the United States and Canada.
In 2007, New Orleans was designated as one of DOE's 25 Solar America Communities thanks to new energy-efficient homes being built with rooftop solar panels, extensive insulation, and more effective climate systems.
Photo by Philip Voss, NREL
Solar America Communities
In 2007, New Orleans was designated as one of DOE's 25 Solar America Communities. Through Solar America Communities funding, DOE/NREL provided on-site support to increase the effectiveness of net metering and interconnection procedures, including:
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Training utility company Entergy New Orleans and local installers on how to overcome issues with interconnecting to the downtown network grid
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Training local government permitting officials, utility interconnection inspectors, and private companies on solar photovoltaic (PV) and domestic hot water installation and inspection procedures.
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Technical consultation on the Solar Schools Initiative, which lead to approximately 25 kilowatts of PV on four schools in New Orleans.
Funding for the Solar America Communities effort ended in 2011. Learn more about solar activities with state and local governments on the SunShot website.