Online Solar Power Resources

Want to learn more about how solar energy works? The Union of Concerned Scientists has compiled a wonderful overview of the sun’s power to harness energy in an article called, “The Solar Resource.” It offers a nice introduction to photovoltaic (PV) panels and their potential kilowatt-hours per year for a typical US household.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority offers a series of nice links to resources about solar for a home as part of its community solar awareness and empowerment programs. The site answers a series of frequently asked questions about residential solar. How does solar energy work? What are the benefits of solar? Am I ready for solar? How do I get started with solar? How do I pay for solar?

Wondering what the total solar energy picture looks like right now in the US? The Solar Energy Industry Association constantly updates its “Solar Market Insight” to describe current Gigawatts (GW) of total installed capacity and how many US homes that can currently power.

The US Energy Department’s Office of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency have “Solar Mapping Resources” offers a number of tools to forecast the US solar future. Satellite maps, irradiance data, and real-time bids from installers have been combined to assist customers in understanding the potential costs and benefits of solar with just the click of a button.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) provides daily total solar averaged over surface cells in both longitude and latitude in their “US Solar Maps.” There are also maps that show solar photovoltaic and concentrating solar power resource potential for the US.

Carnegie Mellon University has compiled a series of links to “Solar Energy Resources” that provide background information, data, and responses to frequently asked questions in global energy, economics, and market trends.

Like video explanations? Then you’ll love Richard Kemp’s TedEd Talk titled, “How do solar panels work?” The narrative is a concise series of explanations that start with how solar cells work and move into physical and logistical challenges of mass solar adoption.

And, if you really a visual learner, then this Discovery Channel Documentary in collaboration with National Geographic will be a big help. Called “Renewable Energy Science,” the 1-hour show talks about how our once-favored energy source, fossil fuels, is no longer a realistic option due to its warming effect on the atmosphere. The explanations of various renewable energy options, while delivered with poignant music and a dramatic narrator voiceover, do provide good information for newcomers and for those who need a refresher.

To know more, visit at: https://www.costofsolar.com/