Goal: To create a base of technology and labor using collaboration between universities & local governments to spread renewable energy technology in a quasi-viral manner.
How: Federal Government uses to large grants to create university departments of renewable energy in one major public university per state. For the purpose of this we will use solar as an example but all avenues would be explored with local geography/climate a factor - solar in AZ, goethermal in AK, etc.... Using solar as an example: State University & local government develop panel technology and train workers to roof every man made structure in the local town with solar panels. University develops technology, city gov. provides workers to train w/university to work as installers/repair workers. Each local city would be a "test case" trying to maximize efficiency. University would create a new department (Dpt of Renewable Energy Technology or any other name) and would gain recruting benefits. Local gov. gains new employment avenues. Fed government would offer low intrest loans to home/business owners to help pay for installations as well as $ for excess energy sold back to the grid. New blue collar work force of skilled/semi-skilled installers & repair is created. Once each of the 50 towns & cities are far enough along, program spreads (here's the viral part) to outlying communities. All technology developed by universities is "Open source" and collaboration with other schools/energy companies is encouraged. No one would own the blueprints/technology - this will encourage local manufacturing & more innovation to increase efficiency & percentage of energy captured. Large energy companies would be encouraged to use their existing meters/power grids/etc. & gov. would give them reasons to pursue this as a viable alternative revenue stream with either tax incentives, patent rights, etc. (Without coal companies on board it will never work - they have to wet their beaks)
Envision a U.S. with every man made structure covered with solar panels. Every single one. How much power will we generate with todays technology? With tomorrows? State universities with cross disciplinary "Energy Departments" that combine relevant fields (engineering, economics, etc) to create class of energy professionals. Trade schools with 1 year programs & apprenticships to create new blue collar work force of installers/repairmen. Energy companies making money from regulation, transport of power. Local (U.S.) manufacturers producing every imaginable component. With every building a power station electric cars/roads would be a possibillity (remember the hot wheels toy car track with the strip of metal in the road & little metal brushes on the underside of the car? Imagine every road like that.)

This is my idea. Details could change but the basic idea is: The federal gevernment provides the $ to universities to research & develop technology used in the immediete community which then spreads across the country. Everything is driven by functionality with an eye to immediete, tangible results - NOT years of ivory tower research but practical & timetable-oriented (i.e., 6 months after program starts installations begin...).