SAN DIEGO -- The North County Transit District was awarded $2 million from the federal Department of Transportation to install solar power at some of its facilities, it was announced Monday.

The grant was part of $100 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funds given to 43 agencies across the country to pay for green projects.

"NCTD is showing how investing in green transportation not only helps the planet and strengthens our economy, but also creates jobs in Southern California," said Ray LaHood, the secretary of transportation.

Since the grant request was for $6 million, agency officials are waiting to see which projects were funded, said Tom Kelleher of the NCTD.

Among the proposals were solar panels on maintenance facility roofs, carport solar panels at transit centers that would shade vehicles while generating electricity and powering up electric cars, and installation of panels along railroad rights-of-way, Kelleher said.