Resources
There are so many resources for figuring out how to learn about, build and afford renewable energy–that we’ve begun to build a list. Please contact us if you have suggestions.
Adult Education
American Solar Challenge The American Solar Challenge is a competition to design, build, and drive solar-powered cars in a cross-country time/distance rally event. Teams compete in a 1100 mile drive.
American Solar Energy Society is a
nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the use of solar energy, energy efficiency, and other sustainable technologies in the U.S.
EIA Energy Explained Excellent website filled with US Energy facts but written for the general public. Many charts on consumption, etc., all updated and sourced from very relevant data.
Fuel Economy Gas mileage (MPG), greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution ratings, and safety information for new and used cars and trucks.
Green For All Producing videos, group conference calls, and a multimedia wall of voices, Green Power For All is a Van Jones (Author of The Green Collar Economy) project that works with Al Gore’s initiative. It’s fancy and flashy.
Blogs
The Daily Green A consumer’s guide to a greener revolution.
Ecorazzi.com Celebrity meets environmentalism.
Environmental Graffiti is an eclectic mix of the most bizarre, funny and interesting environmental news on the planet. They don’t take themselves too seriously and compile it into a daily blog.
Green Options Written by experienced professionals and topic experts, Green Options Media’s individual blogs engage visitors with authoritative content, compelling discussions, and actionable advice.
Grist Environmental News, Commentary & Advice
Inhabitat.com is a weblog devoted to the future of design, tracking the innovations in technology, practices and materials that are pushing architecture and home design towards a smarter and more sustainable future.
Solar Power Rocks! Probably the single best source of news, opinion, facts, analysis as well as practical tools like contractor listings on the web.
TreeHugger is dedicated to driving sustainability mainstream. Partial to a modern aesthetic, they strive to be a one-stop shop for green news, solutions, and product information.
World Changing http://www.worldchanging.com We cover the world’s most innovative solutions to the planet’s problems, and inspire readers around the world with stories of new tools, models and ideas for building a bright green future.
Solar Power Rocks!
Probably the single best source of news, opinion, facts, analysis as well as practical tools like contractor listings on the web.
Business Development
North American Board Certified Energy Practitioners NABCEP offers certifications and certificate programs to renewable energy professionals throughout North America.
One Block Off the Grid This organization helps individuals and communities form purchasing groups to take advantage of potential discounts for solar products and services.
Clean Energy States Alliance a nonprofit organization comprised of members from 16 clean energy funds and two state agencies. it provides information and technical services to its members and works with them to build and expand clean energy markets in the United States.
Solar Power International North America’s largest business to business solar industry event. Hosts annual conference. 2009 in Anaheim.
Federal & International Initiatives
Act on Copenhagen Setting out the UK Government’s case for an ambitious international agreement on climate change.
DSIREUSA DSIRE provides information about financial incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects throughout the United States. Information is provided on state, local, utility, and federal tax incentive programs and is organized by state. Color coded maps and summary tables provide an overview of incentives and policies that promoted renewable energy.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is an intergovernmental organization which acts as energy policy advisor to 28 member countries in their effort to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy for their citizens.
US Department of Energy/ Environmental Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
works to strengthen the United States’ energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality in public-private partnerships.
U.S. Department of Energy website containing stats, policies, educational initiatives from U.S. government.
Renewable Resource Data Center
The Renewable Resource Data Center (RRDC) provides access to an extensive collection of renewable energy resource data, maps, and tools. Biomass, geothermal, solar, and wind resource data for locations throughout the United States can be found through the RReDC.
Weatherization Assistance Program From the U.S. Department of Energy, the Weatherization Assistance Program enables low-income families to permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. The site is filled with information on weatherizing and retrofitting your home and business.
World Energy Outlook Analysis and forecasts of international energy, policy.
Job Listing & Job Training Sites
APPA Net- DEED Scholarships for students studying energy related disciplines.
School of Photovoltaics and Renewable Energy Engineering Australian Graduate School Program focusing on high level photovoltaics and engineering research.
San Diego Miramar College’s Advanced Transportation Technology and Energy (ATTE) Center’s PV, Solar Thermal and Energy Efficiency Faculty Professional Development Program The site is designed to provide students, technicians, faculty, public and other initiative centers with the education, training and resources they need to effectively learn, teach and work with advanced transportation and energy technologies. In 2009, the IREC awarded ATTE and HandsOn Solar an innovation award for collaborating to provide important faculty instruction in starting “green” programs in photovoltaics, solar thermal and energy efficiency.
Nevada also has a host of solar training opportunities.
North American Board Certified Energy Practitioners NABCEP offers certifications and certificate programs to renewable energy professionals throughout North America.
Renewable Energy World’s Career and Jobseekers Section
Sustainable Business Dream Job Listings
NGO’s & Research Projects
The Alliance to Save Energy supports energy efficiency as a cost-effective energy resource under existing market conditions and advocates energy-efficiency policies that minimize costs to society and individual consumers, and that lessen greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on the global climate.
The American Public Power Association is the service organization for the nation’s more than 2,000 not-for-profit, community- and state-owned electric utilities.
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is an independent, non-profit company performing research, development and design in the electricity sector for the benefit of the public.
Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) is a non-profit organization creating renewable energy programs and policies targeted at the adoption of uniform guidelines, standards and quality assessment. Every year, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council recognizes state and local governments, schools (K-12), and non profits and community groups that have implemented innovative projects during the past year that promote and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy technologies.
International Solar Energy Society Internationally focused reports, research and conferences.
The Pew Center on Global Climate Change brings together business leaders, policy makers, scientists, and other experts to bring a new approach to a complex and often controversial issue.
