Solar Power Links

Solar Power Links

The links on this page tell the solar story, including descriptions of the technologies that we can use to make the most of clean - and free - energy from the sun.

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.

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:

Photovoltaic systems
Solar thermal systems
Energy-efficient buildings
Building design assistance
Simulation model development
International education
Air quality
Windows and daylighting
Hydrogen from renewable resources
Pollutant detoxification
Photoelectrochemical processes
Alternative-fueled vehicle

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.

Million Solar Roofs
The Million Solar Roofs Initiative worked for a decade to s enable businesses and communities to install solar systems on one million rooftops across the United States. The Department of Energy lead this trailblazing initiative by working with partners in the building industry, local governments, state agencies, the solar industry, electric service providers, and non-governmental organizations to remove market barriers and strengthen grassroots demand for solar technologies. The program ended in 2006, withits activities rolled into a new, larger program called the Solar America Initiative.

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.

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.

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.

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. For more detailed information on these different solar heating systems, contact The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC).

Solar Energy Technologies Program
The Solar Buildings Program was established by the U.S. Department of Energy to research, develop, and deploy cost-effective technologies toward growing the use of solar energy throughout our nation and the world. We work closely with national laboratories, universities, industry, professional associations, and other programs at DOE and with federal, state, and local agencies across the nation.

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 Monitoring
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.

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

Solar and Wind Easements
Montana's solar and wind easement provisions allow property owners to create solar and wind easements for the purpose of protecting and maintaining proper access to sunlight and wind. While 32 other states have solar easement provisions, only three other states have created specific provisions for the creation of wind easements. Montana's solar easement law was enacted in 1979 and the wind easement was enacted in 1983. For more information, contact Tom Livers, Montana Department of Environmental Quality, at 406-444-6776.

Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP)
REPP SREPP 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.