Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) announced yesterday the U.S. Department of Energy’s allocation of $5 million in federal stimulus funds to Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) in order to develop California’s first “solar highway,” as well as four other renewable energy projects, such as a facilities that compost organic waste to generate energy.

In order to develop this “solar highway,” SMUD plans to take advantage of the unused land along state highways—for example, the terrain near exit ramps—and set up solar panels on this largely ignored territory. Following in the footsteps of Oregon’s own solar highway, which is lined with 594 solar panels that produce nearly 112,000 kilowatt-hours a year and is the first project of its kind in the U.S., SMUD’s own sun-powered thoroughfare is expected to produce 1 MW of energy at peak times. Although information about the beneficiaries of its energy production is forthcoming, Oregon’s own solar highway poses a likely answer: powering highway traffic lights and signs.

From Rep. Matsui’s press release:

“Today’s project announcement serves as a milestone for those in the Sacramento community who have strived to push our city forward as a clean-tech capital,” said Rep. Matsui.  “With the added aid of these federal dollars, local stakeholders are able to progress further in spurring the local economy through investments in clean, green energy alternatives.  This is an excellent example of a partnership that will benefit generations of Sacramentans, and Americans, for years to come.”