Mayor Barrett to announce plans to expand solar program

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett will announce plans to make solar power more affordable for city residents. 

The Milwaukee Shines solar program started in 2008, helping homes and local landmarks like Discovery World and Milwaukee School of Engineering add solar power to its buildings. 

In 2012, the U.S. Department of Energy cleared the way for Milwaukee to explore more solar options by changing the permit process, creating a solar power zoning ordinance, and opening financial resources. 

Barrett will announce a record number of solar power installations in Milwaukee, and will also outline plans to expand the Milwaukee Shines program to the Washington Heights and Layton Boulevard West neighborhoods. 

The press conference begins at 1 p.m. August 21 at a solar home at 2825 N. 80th Street in Milwaukee.

CBS 58's Matt Doyle has more ont he announcement.