Solar Energy Resources

DOE Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) — U.S. Department of Energy portal for information on renewable energy.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) — The DOE’s principal U.S. laboratory for renewable energy research and development.

SANDIA National Labs — PV specific site including good system and component level information from SANDIA’s Photovoltaic Systems Program.

United Nations Energy & Environment Program — The UNDP helps countries strengthen their capacity to address environmental challenges at global, national and community levels.

Alliance to Save Energy (ASE) — Group promoting energy efficiency worldwide to achieve a healthier economy, a cleaner environment, and greater energy security.

American Council for an Energy — Efficient Economy (ACEEE) — Non-profit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting both economic prosperity and environmental protection.

American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) — Non-profit organization in Washington D.C. focused on accelerating the adoption of renewable energy technologies into the mainstream of American society.

American Solar Energy Society (ASES) — National organization dedicated to advancing the widespread use of solar energy.

American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) — American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

Arizona Solar Center (AZSC) — Non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the use and utilization of solar energy.

Boston Area Solar Energy Association (BASEA) — Fostering the design and use of solar and sustainable energy technologies through education, advocacy and the demonstration of practical, cost effective techniques.

British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) — Promoting the use of wind power in and around the UK, both onshore and offshore.

Buckminster Fuller Institute (BFI) — Institute committed to a successful and sustainable future for 100% of humanity.

California Solar Center (CSC) — Designed to be a prime source of information on solar energy activity in CA.

Canadian Association for Renewable Energies (WeCARE) — National Canadian association advocating the use of renewable energies.

Coalition for New Energy Technologies — Coalition working at the federal and state levels to advance renewable energy and efficiency technologies in AZ, CO, NM, and UT.

Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (COSEIA) — Promotes the use of solar energy and conservation to improve the environment and create a sustainable future.

Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) — Non-profit organization that promotes renewable energy and energy efficiency in western Colorado and beyond.

Development Center for Appropriate Technology (DCAT) — Center working to enhance the health of the planet by promoting a shift to sustainable construction and development through leadership, strategic relationships, and education.

Earth Energy Society of Canada (EESC) — Society incorporated to represent and promote earth energy technology as a viable economic and environmental option in Canada’s energy scenario

El Paso Solar Energy Association (EPSEA) — Association providing practical information on solar energy and energy efficiency, focusing on issues relating to the US Southwest.

Electric Auto Association (EAA) — A source of information on the current state of electric vehicle technology worldwide.

Energy Efficient Building Association (EEBA) — Association dedicated to helping transform the residential design, development and construction industries to profitably deliver energy efficiency and environmentally responsible buildings and communities.

Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC)– Research institute of the University of Central Florida focused on renewable energy and energy efficiency research, training, testing, and certification.International Energy Foundation (IEF) — Organization to facilitate the transfer of research and technology in all areas of energy with special emphasis on developing countries.

International Solar Center Berlin — General information and links to international resources on renewable energy..

Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) — Council with a mission to accelerate the sustainable utilization of renewable energy sources and technologies in and through state and local government and community activities.

Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) — Nonprofit network for sharing ideas, resources, and information to promote a sustainable future through renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center — Organization with a mission to provide experiential learning of Earth Literacy based on the cornerstones of spirituality, sustainability and community.

National Biodiesel Board (NBB) — National trade association representing the biodiesel industry as the coordinating body for research and development in the U.S.

New Mexico Solar Energy Association (NMSEA) — An educational nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting solar energy and related sustainable practices.

North Carolina Solar Center (NCSC) — A clearinghouse for solar and other renewable energy programs, information, research, technical assistance, and training for the citizens of North Carolina and beyond.

North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) — Association participating in creating a sustainable energy future in North Carolina through the promotion of renewable energy technologies.

Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) — Leading regional membership organization focused on promoting the understanding, development, and adoption of renewable energy technologies.

Oregon Solar Energy Industries Association (OSEIA) — OSEIA is dedicated to promoting the benefits of renewable energy and to developing a strong local RE industry in Oregon.

Potomac Region Solar Energy Association (PRSEA) — PRSEA works to further the development, use of, and support for solar energy and related arts, sciences, and technologies.

Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) — National trade organization for the U.S. ethanol fuel industry.

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) — An entrepreneurial nonprofit organization that fosters the efficient and restorative use of natural, human and other capital to make the world more secure, just, prosperous, and life sustaining.

Rural Renewable Energy Alliance — RREAL delivers solar heat to low-income families on public energy assistance, making solar energy accessible to people of all income levels.

SociallyResponsible.org — Comprehensive internet directory to help socially responsible people and businesses find each other.

Solar Living Institute (SLI) — Non-profit educational organization that promotes sustainable living through inspirational environmental education

The Solar Tribune- have two helpful guides to solar energy.   Their guide to Home Solar Panels, and their guide to Solar Thermal energy.

Sustainable Settings — An entrepreneurial non-profit organization that inspires people and communities to embrace integrated solutions for sustainable development.

Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES) — Group dedicated to increasing the awareness of the potential of solar and other renewable energy applications and to promote the wise use of these sustainable resources.

Veggie Van Website — Organization promoting and providing information on the use of biodiesel fuel, with a mission to transform America into an energy independent nation.

World Council for Renewable Energy (WCRE) — Globally operated independent organization established to defend, develop, and promote policies in favor of the wise and prudent use all forms of natural and renewable energy.

Worldwatch Institute — Independent research group for an environmentally sustainable and socially just society.

Builders without Borders — International network of ecological builders working together for a sustainable future.

Enersol — Non-profit charitable organization developing and introducing sustainable energy solutions for rural communities.

Engineering for Developing Communities (EDC) — University of Colorado program to educate globally responsible students who can offer sustainable and appropriate solutions to the endemic problems faced by developing communities worldwide.

Engineers without Borders — Non-profit organization established to help developing areas worldwide with their engineering needs, while involving and training a new kind of internationally responsible engineering student.

Green Empowerment — Non-profit international development organization promoting community-based renewable energy projects internationally to generate social and environmental progress.

Greenstar.org — Site delivering solar power, health, education, and environmental programs to small villages in the developing world.

Grupo Fenix — A cooperative network of engineers and local community people who share a common passion for developing solar and renewable energy technologies in Nicaragua.

Himalayan Light Foundation (HLF) — NGO working in Nepal to improve the quality of life in the Himalayan region via the use of environmentally friendly renewable energy technologies.

Knightsbridge International (KBI) — Not for Profit Corporation dedicated to providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief worldwide
without regard to race, religion or national origin.

Native Energy — Organization committed to helping develop domestic renewable energy sources, featuring Native American projects.

Plenty International — A village-based international development agency promoting local self-sufficiency in economically disadvantaged or otherwise threatened communities.

Rancho Mastatal — An environmental learning and sustainable living center, retreat and lodge located in the last virgin rainforest of Costa Rica’s Puriscal County.

Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) — Non-profit charitable organization founded to promote, develop, and facilitate solar rural electrification and energy self-sufficiency in developing countries.

Sustainable Nations Development Project — Promotes the sovereignty, environmental health, and cultural health of Indigenous Nations through community-based appropriate technology development work.

The Sustainable Village — A “social enterprise” providing solutions to global problems using renewable energy and appropriate technology in developing countries.

Village Earth — An organization that helps achieve sustainable community-based development by connecting communities with global resources.

American Solar Energy Society (ASES) Conference — Held annually in a different state.

Aspen Valley Renewable Energy Day — Held annually in late August in Aspen, Colorado.

Midwest Renewable Energy Fair — Sponsored by the MREA each summer in Custer, Wisconsin.

SolFest — Summer solar festival sponsored by the Solar Living Institute in Hopland, CA.

Energy Planet — A visual and interactive web directory of information resources about renewable energy technology.

Energy Saving Secrets — A website containing over 100 articles on how to save energy.

Energy Trace Webzine — A comprehensive and up-to-date source on energy news, information, jobs, events, products, and more.

Environment Resources — A directory of Environment related websites.

FindSolar.com — A web site which links consumers to solar professionals.

Fuel Cell Energy — a site dedicated to educating people about fuel cells.

Fuel From the Sun — Site exploring a variety of ways to harness the Sun’s solar energy.

Green Home Building — Site including a wide range of information about sustainable architecture and natural building.

Green Made Simple — Provides information on energy efficiency incentives and rebates, searchable by zip code.

My Green Scene –An information source for alternative technologies, and how they will impact our future.

Off-Grid –A webzine about living with renewable energy.

Peak Oil Project –An interactive learning reference on peak oil.

PV Portal — Web link to the world of solar energy.

Savingcivilization.org — Information about turning around our economy and environment.

Society for Energy Education (SEE) — Society dedicated to fostering truth and understanding about the production and consumption of energy resources and their impact on the economy and the environment.

The Solar Guide — A guide to solar and renewable energy that makes the information accessible and understandable.

Peak Oil Project — An interactive learning reference on peak oil.

PV Portal — Web link to the world of solar energy.

Savingcivilization.org — Information about turning around our economy and environment.

Society for Energy Education (SEE) — Society dedicated to fostering truth and understanding about the production and consumption of energy resources and their impact on the economy and the environment.

The Solar Guide — A guide to solar and renewable energy that makes the information accessible and understandable.

Solar Power News — Consolidated News: Solar Power, Solar Energy and Solar Electric Power.

SunWind Solar — Notes and links introducing important information about Solar Energy.

SustainableStuff.co.uk — A website offering a unique reference point on sustainable living.

Chelsea Green — Publisher of books on sustainable living.

Rainwater Harvesting — Guiding principles to welcome rain into your life and landscape.

Hatcreek Publishing — Information on solar electric systems.

Home Power Magazine — Hands-on journal of home-made power.

Joiners Quarterly — Journal of Timber Framing, Traditional and Natural Home Building.

Journal of Energy Education — A forum for the discussion of educating the public about energy consumption and production.

The Last Straw — The International Journal of Straw Bale and Natural Building.

Natural Home Magazine — Offers today’s health-conscious, environmentally concerned homeowners the information they need to practice earth-inspired living.

New Society Publishers (NSP) — Publisher focusing on books that contribute in fundamental ways to building an ecologically sustainable and just society.

Alternative Energy News Source — Site covering news on alternative energy.

American Energy Independence — Site promoting the need for energy independence.

Conserv-a-Store — Store supporting sustainable commerce and an eco-friendly lifestyle by providing energy and resource saving goods that save money and save the earth.

DirectoryScience.com — An online Science directory designed to help its users find the online science source, companies, products, services, and information.

EcoIQ.com — Website focused on energy conservation and renewables.

Forum on Science and Technology for Sustainability — Forum seeking to facilitate information exchange and discussion among those engaged in the field of science and technology for sustainability.

RenewableEnergAccess.com — Comprehensive source for information on the renewable energy field, including job postings.

Solarbuzz — International solar energy research and consulting company.

Source for Renewable Energy — Online buyer’s guide and business directory to renewable energy businesses and organizations worldwide.

E-construct — Directory of design related websites.

Schools Going Solar — An IREC project focused on building a network, a community of people who can share experiences with solar energy in schools.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory — NREL’s Education Programs seek to promote science, mathematics and technology education using renewable energy as the vehicle to capture student interest.