Part C - Federal Photovoltaic Utilization

42 USC 8271 - Federal facility and Secretary defined

For purposes of this part

(1) The term Federal facility means any building, structure, or fixture or part thereof which is owned by the United States or any Federal agency or which is held by the United States or any Federal agency under a lease-acquisition agreement under which the United States or a Federal agency will receive fee simple title under the terms of such agreement without further negotiation. Such term also applies to facilities related to programs administered by Federal agencies.

(2) The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy.

42 USC 8272 - Photovoltaic energy program

There is hereby established a photovoltaic energy commercialization program for the accelerated procurement and installation of photovoltaic solar electric systems for electric production in Federal facilities.

42 USC 8273 - Purpose of program

The purpose of the program established by section 8272 of this title is to

(1) accelerate the growth of a commercially viable and competitive industry to make photovoltaic solar electric systems available to the general public as an option in order to reduce national consumption of fossil fuel;

(2) reduce fossil fuel costs to the Federal Government;

(3) stimulate the general use within the Federal Government of methods for the minimization of life cycle costs; and

(4) develop performance data on the program established by section 8272 of this title.

42 USC 8274 - Acquisition of systems

The program established by section 8272 of this title shall provide for the acquisition of photovoltaic solar electric systems and associated storage capability by the Secretary for their use by Federal agencies, and for the acquisition of such systems and associated capability by Federal agencies for their own use in cases where the authority to make such acquisition has been delegated to the agency involved by the Secretary. The acquisition of photovoltaic solar electric systems shall be at an annual level substantial enough to allow use of low-cost production techniques by suppliers of such systems. The Secretary (or other Federal agency acting under delegation from the Secretary) is authorized to make such acquisitions through the use of multiyear contracts. Authority under this part to enter into acquisition contracts shall be only to the extent as may be provided in advance in appropriation Acts.

42 USC 8275 - Administration

The Secretary shall administer the program established under section 8272 of this title and shall

(1) consult with the Secretary of Defense to insure that the installation and purchase of photovoltaic solar electric systems pursuant to this part shall not interfere with defense-related activities;

(2) prescribe such requirements as may be appropriate to monitor and assess the performance and operation of photovoltaic electric systems installed pursuant to this part; and

(3) report annually to the Congress on the status of the program.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall not be subject to the requirements of section 553 of title 5, in the performance of his functions under this part.

42 USC 8276 - System evaluation and purchase program

(a) Program
The Secretary shall establish, within 60 days after November 9, 1978, a photovoltaic systems evaluation and purchase program to provide such systems as are required by the Federal agencies to carry out this part. In acquiring photovoltaic solar electric systems under this part, the Secretary (or other Federal agency acting under delegation from the Secretary) shall insure that such systems reflect to the maximum extent practicable the most advanced and reliable technologies and shall schedule purchases in a manner which will stimulate the early development of a permanent low-cost private photovoltaic production capability in the United States, and to stimulate the private sector market for photovoltaic power systems. The Secretary and other Federal agencies acting under delegation from the Secretary shall, subject to the availability of appropriated funds, procure not more than 30 megawatts of photovoltaic solar electric systems during fiscal years ending September 30, 1979, September 30, 1980, and September 30, 1981.

(b) Other procurement
Nothing in this part shall preclude any Federal agency from directly procuring a photovoltaic solar electric system (in lieu of obtaining one under the program under subsection (a) of this section), except that any such Federal agency shall consult with the Secretary before procuring such a system.

42 USC 8277 - Advisory committee

(a) Establishment
There is hereby established an advisory committee to assist the Secretary in the establishment and conduct of the programs established under this part.

(b) Membership
Such committee shall be composed of the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Administrator of the General Services Administration, the Secretary of Transportation, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, the Postmaster General, and such other persons as the Secretary deems necessary. The Secretary shall appoint such other nongovernmental persons to the extent necessary to assure that the membership of the committee will be fairly balanced in terms of the point of view represented and the functions to be performed by the committee.

42 USC 8278 - Authorization of appropriations

For the purposes of this part, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary not to exceed $98,000,000 for the period beginning October 1, 1978, and ending September 30, 1981.