---
kind: "section"
citation: "40 U.S.C. § 3177"
title: "40"
title_heading: "Public Buildings, Property, and Works"
number: "3177"
heading: "Use of photovoltaic energy in public buildings"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/40/3177"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Public Buildings and Works"
  - "Part A — General"
  - "Chapter 31 — General"
  - "Subchapter VI — Miscellaneous"
---

# §3177. Use of photovoltaic energy in public buildings

- (a) **Photovoltaic Energy Commercialization Program.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** 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](/usc/40/3301.md?p=a-5).
  - (2) **Purposes.—** 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](/usc/40/3701.md?p=a).
    - (C) To attain the goal of installing solar energy systems in 20,000 Federal buildings by 2010, as contained in the [Federal Government](/usc/40/3701.md?p=a)’s Million Solar Roof Initiative of 1997.
    - (D) To stimulate the general use within the [Federal Government](/usc/40/3701.md?p=a) 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) **Acquisition of photovoltaic solar electric systems.—**
    - (A) **In general.—** The program shall provide for the acquisition of photovoltaic solar electric systems and associated storage capability for use in [public buildings](/usc/40/3301.md?p=a-5).
    - (B) **Acquisition levels.—** 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) **Administration.—** 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) **Photovoltaic Systems Evaluation Program.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** 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](/usc/40/3301.md?p=a-5).
  - (2) **Program requirement.—** In evaluating photovoltaic solar energy systems under the program, the Administrator shall ensure that such systems reflect the most advanced technology.
- (c) **Authorization of Appropriations.—**
  - (1) **Photovoltaic energy commercialization program.—** There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out [subsection (a)](#a) $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010. Such sums shall remain available until expended.
  - (2) **Photovoltaic systems evaluation program.—** There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out [subsection (b)](#b) $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010. Such sums shall remain available until expended.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 109–58, title II, § 204(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 653.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The date of enactment of this section, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 109–58, which was approved Aug. 8, 2005.