The White House has unveiled a new solar power initiative that promises to expand solar energy to slow-income communities, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and train people for 75,000 new jobs in the solar industry.

Part of the plan includes installing enough solar panels on federally subsidized housing by 2020 to generate 300 megawatts of power. That's enough electricity to supply roughly 50,000 homes and, at the same time, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 780,000 tons every year — roughly the same as taking 130,000 cars off the road.

The ambitious White House program involves state and city governments, dozens of private companies and groups along with federal involvement from the Energy, Agriculture and Housing Departments working together.

Private groups are investing $520 million to help states and cities install solar energy for low and moderate-income housing. Twenty states have also committed to a total of 260 new solar power projects as part of the plan.

Besides low-income neighborhoods, about half of Americans who rent apartments or business space too small to have rooftop solar panels would be eligible for other options to use solar power. These people could buy or lease a portion of a "community shared solar" project — supplying them with solar power generated at a different location.

The plan calls for 75,000 new jobs in the solar industry within the next five years. It would provide job training through Americorps, vocational schools and new programs paid for by the solar industry.

(READ more at NBC News) Photo: OregonDOT, CC —Story tip from Carilyn

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