The US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has awarded contracts worth $56.7m for photovoltaic installations at five hospitals. The projects are expected to be completed by the middle of next year on facilities located in Oklahoma, Texas and California.

The VA has set a target a target of producing 15 per cent of its electricity requirement from renewable sources by 2013. Since 2009 the organisation has awarded 35 solar systems at medical centres and national cemeteries across the US and has invested more than $300m on renewable projects.

Eric Shinseki, secretary of VA, said, ‘With these investments in clean energy and other renewable energy projects, we are marching forward with the President’s initiative to expand innovation in the federal government and create new jobs. The benefits of using solar power are profound, from reducing greenhouse gas emissions to improving the quality of the air we breathe. This initiative is good for veterans and good for our environment.’