Solar Links and Other Resources

Organizations/Websites

American Solar Energy Society (ASES)
The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is a national organization dedicated to advancing the use of solar energy for the benefit of U.S. citizens and the global environment.

Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE)
A comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and selected federal incentives that promote renewable energy. Searchable by state, keyword, and topic area.

Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC)
FSEC is the largest and most active state-supported renewable energy and energy efficiency research, training, and certification institute in the United States. FSEC maintains ongoing activities and programs in the following areas:

Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)
IREC is a non-profit organization committed to accelerating the sustainable utilization of renewable energy resources and technologies in and through state, local government, and community activities. IREC offers a range of market-oriented services and products targeted at education, coordination, and procurement; it also operates PV4You, a network of state, local and national groups and communities accelerating the deployment of off-grid and grid-connected photovoltaics.

National Center for Photovoltaics (NCPV)
NCPV conducts research and development and serves as a forum and information source for the PV community. Its website features links to research and development labs and capabilities that advance PV and technical papers, conference updates, and other information on PV.

North Carolina Solar Center
North Carolina Solar Center provides programs and resources that help people throughout North Carolina take advantage of solar energy. The Center also makes available online numerous publications, including Information Factsheets (30 online technical documents on solar and renewable energy); Sunbook – a guide to solar energy; plus a directory of information resources for conservation and renewable energy information.

Renewable Resource Data Center (RReDC)
RReDC provides information on several types of renewable energy resources in the United States, in the form of publications, data, and maps. An extensive dictionary of renewable energy related terms is also provided. The News section announces new products on the RReDC, which is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's Resource Assessment Program and managed by the Photovoltaics Technology Division of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Renewable Energy Access
A website offering a host of useful information on renewable energy, including solar. Featurs include news, training opportunities, career opportunities, and more.

Solar Energy Technologies Program
DOE's Solar Energy Technologies Program leads the effort to research, develop, and deploy cost-effective technologies toward growing the use of solar energy throughout our nation and the world. Includes information on concentrating solar power, photovoltaics, solar heating, solar lighting, and more.

Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
SEIA is the national trade association of solar energy manufacturers, dealers, distributors, contractors and installers.Its primary mission is to expand the use of solar technologies in the global marketplace. National members combined with chapter members in 22 states exceed 500 companies providing solar thermal and solar electric products and services.

Solar Radiation Monitoring Laboratory
The University of Oregon Solar Radiation Monitoring Laboratory operates solar monitoring stations around the Northwest and is dedicated to producing high-quality solar radiation data for solar energy resource evaluation and long-term climate studies.

Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP)
REPP supports the advancement of renewable energy technology through policy research. Its website includes useful papers and other publications.

SunAngle
SunAngle computes the position of the sun and related information for a given location, date, and time. This information may be useful in building design, solar energy system design, photography, and other applications.

Publications

Consumer's Guide to Renewable Energy in Arkansas
Provides an introduction to solar, wind, and renewable fuels, and their applications in Arkansas. Produced by the Arkansas Energy Office, October 2005.

About Solar Energy
A "basic, no-frills" primer on solar energy technologies from RenewableEnergyAccess.com.

Residential Solar Heating Collectors
Solar collectors are the heart of most solar energy systems. The collector absorbs the sun's light energy and changes it into heat energy. This publication describes the different types of solar collectors used for residences. It also briefly covers the solar heating systems for which they are best suited.

Shining On
Accurate information is important for designing energy systems. This primer examines one of the most important pieces of information – solar radiation data. It explains what solar radiation data are, why they are needed, what data are measured, how the data are used, and how data uncertainties affect performance and economic projections. It also examines how climate, geography, and atmospheric conditions cause the amount of solar radiation to vary, and discusses solar radiation data bases and products available for engineering and economic analyses.

Sizing Active Solar Space Heating Systems
To glean the maximum benefit from solar energy systems, they must be properly sized. This fact sheet offers general guidelines for proper sizing, and identifies more detailed sizing tools.

Solar Energy System Maintenance and Repair
Get simple, straightforward information on repair and maintenance of your solar energy system.

Solar Glossary
Find definitions for dozens of solar terms at this glossary from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Solar Heating and You (For Young Scholars)
This fact sheet explains to young scholars the technologies used to capture the sun's heat for heating our homes and water. Includes questions for students, a hands-on activity, and more resources.

Solar Water Heating
This fact sheet explains how you can use the sun's heat to provide your home or business with hot water, including basic information on the types of systems available and their economic and environmental benefits.