Photovoltaic (PV) / Electric
Solar Energy Resources
for Home Consumers:
An Annotated Bibliography of Government Sources
This page offers information on photovoltaic (PV) and electric solar energy resources.
Consumer's Guide to Buying a Solar Electric System
Iowa Department of Natural Resources, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
This 25 page booklet provides brief but essential information on photovoltaic costs, selection criteria, utility sign-offs, instructions on connecting to the grid and installation issues such as permits. Although it does not go into great detail, the question and answer format is a great introduction to concepts every homeowner should consider before investing in a solar electric system. National photovoltaic programs are listed, however this booklet is primarily geared toward home consumers in the upper Midwest including: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Missouri.
2002
available in booklet (print) format
SuDoc Number: E 1.8: SO 4/11
EIA U.S. Energy Information Administration: Independent Statistics and Analysis
U.S. Energy Information Administration
http://www.eia.doe.gov/fuelrenewable.html
This website provides national information and statistics about renewable energy resources including solar power. Information is available in HTML, PDF (Adobe), and Microsoft Excel (XLS) formats for most of the data. Home consumers will be interested in the number of locations by state who have purchased photovoltaic cells (Table 3.10), how many companies will be offering new solar products (Table 3.17) the total number of companies providing photovoltaics (Table 3.18), and their sales revenues (Table 3.19).
Data for 2008, released January 2010
available online in HTML, PDF (Adobe), and Microsoft Excel (XLS) formats
free/no cost
Energy Savers: Small Solar Electric Systems
U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/electricity/index.cfm/mytopic=10710
This website offers a brief but solid introduction for the consumers considering adding solar electrical collectors to homes. It covers solar electrical basics including how they work and determining cost versus benefits. The site introduces and explains solar photovoltaic vocabulary in easy to understand terms along with images. Besides clarifying where electrical collectors should be situated and size recommendations, this resource spells out codes and regulations and suggestions on how to maintain an electrical solar system once installed. Helpful questions one should ask before hiring a contractor are included.
Last updated: March 2009
available online (HTML), a handy printable version is available via a hyperlink
free/no cost
Get Your Power from the Sun: A Consumer’s Guide
sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/35297.pdf
This 20 page booklet covers investing in, selecting, and regulations one should know about before connecting a solar electric or photovoltaic system to the grid. Besides defining and explaining what a solar electric or photovoltaic (PV) system is, each section is organized around a series of questions that the home consumer might ask, including what are the costs involved? How much might one save? How to choose among competing bids and providers?What kind of permits are required? What kind of interconnection agreement or net metering agreement does one need? And what about insurance or warranties?
December 2003
available online in PDF format
free/no cost
DOE/GO-102003-1844
A Guide to Photovoltaic (PV) System Design and Installation
California Energy Commission
http://www.energy.ca.gov/reports/2001-09-04_500-01-020.PDF
This 40 page report explains in non-technical language what photovoltaic systems are, how they operate, and pros and cons of different implementations. It includes recommendations for materials and installing, and offers a handy detailed checklist to ensure that the project is complete and safe. An appendix includes diagrams and wiring guides which would be incredibly useful for a do-it-yourself PV installer.
June 2001
available online in PDF format
free/no cost
Learning about Renewable Energy: Solar Energy Basics
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), U.S. Department of Energy
http://www.nrel.gov/learning/re_solar.html
This website describes the difference between concentrating solar power, passive solar, solar water heating, and solar process heating. The photovoltaic information includes an embedded Adobe Flash video (6:36 minute) that describes what the NREL Center for Photovoltaics does, how newer thin film PV technologies will be more efficient, and how they test PV products for efficiency and durability. The heating technologies section explains space heating, water heating, and space cooling with solar technologies.
Last updated 2010
available online (video requires the Adobe Flash Player plug-in)
free/no cost
Own Your Power! A Consumer Guide to Solar Electricity for the Home
U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/pdfs/43844.pdf
This 14 page booklet from the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy is a great introduction for the consumer considering adding solar electrical power to their residence. It covers solar electrical basics including comparing different silicon versus thin film solar panels, and grid versus standalone electric systems in easy-to-understand language. The booklet explains building and roof requirements and includes helpful tips and suggestions on how to maintain an electrical solar system once installed. Recommendations for financing and economic considerations are also included.
January 2009
available online in PDF format
free/no cost
DOE/GO-102009-2656
Solar Energy Technologies Program: Photovoltaics for Consumers
U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/pv_consumers.html
This website is a good basic background on electricity production with solar photovoltaics (PV). Besides offering animations showing how PV systems work, it includes "calculators" and software to help determine whether going solar is cost effective for one's particular situation. This resource includes resources to help understand location requirements and solar myths vs. realities before investing in a home PV system.
October 2008
available online (HTML)
free/no cost
Solar Power Purchase Agreements
EPA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/grnpower/buygp/solarpower.htm
Have someone else pay to install solar in your home. This webpage defines and explains the pros and cons of Solar Power Purchase Agreements (SPPAs), along with analyzing their benefits and potential issues. Learn also about Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and Green Power Partnership Eligibility.
Includes a bibliography of additional resources to read before pursuing this method of going solar.
2010
available online (HTML)
free/no cost
Solar Photovoltaic Financing: Residential Sector Deployment
by Jason Coughlin and Karlynn Cory
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy09osti/44853.pdf or http://www.osti.gov/bridge (search for Report TP-6A2-44853)
This 66 page technical report can help one investigate numerous financing options and determine the long-term cost of a solar PV system. Besides mortgage or home equity loans, residents in certain locations have access to cash or tax incentives, and community cooperatives to help in financing. This document explores these and other possibilities for solar financing in California, Colorado, New Jersey, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. This report includes a glossary of acronyms and up-to-date references.
March 2009
available online in PDF format
free/no cost online
also for sale to the public, in print, from the U.S. Department of Commerce
Report Number: TP-6A2-44853
NTIS/GPO Number: 950132
NREL/TP-6A2-44853
last updated: 03-May-2010