Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Toward a low carbon economy: municipal financing for energy efficiency and solar power

Source: Environment, vol.51, no.1 (Jan 2009)
"The article discusses municipal financing for solar power and energy efficiency to reduce emissions and increase low-carbon resources. Topics include a brief overview of critical areas that need improvement, such as buildings which have a high energy use and are responsible for almost half of all greenhouse gas emissions, and the barriers to reducing energy consumption and renewable energy usage, such as psychological and financial barriers. In-depth examinations of the barriers to reducing energy demand, clean energy municipal financing such as Berkeley, California's, Berkeley FIRST (Financing Initiative for Renewable and Solar Technology) program, and a financial model used to assess the financial impact of clean energy financing on residents are presented."