Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC). EREC is a first-stop clearinghouse operated under the authority of the U.S. Department of Energy that provides information and technical assistance on renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency. EREC maintains an inventory of more than 250 publications, including fact sheets and booklets written by DOE-sponsored labs and programs. If EREC can't provide pre-printed information on your topic of interest, its staff will refer you to a technical specialist who can try to research answers to your questions. For More Info: PO Box 3048, Merrifield, VA 22116; (800)-DOE-EREC [363-3732]; Fax: (703) 893-0400; toll-free modem: (800) 273-2955 (VT-100 [ANSI] terminal emulation, 8 databits, 1 stopbit, parity none); E-mail: doe.erec@nciinc.com; Web: erecbbs.nciinc.com.
Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP). The DOE helps federal energy managers identify and procure the most cost-effective passive solar, photovoltaic, solar thermal and otherwise energy-saving projects. FEMP does this through trainings, on-site audits, design assistance, and financing. (See "Getting Started," p.26.). For More Info: EREC; (800) 363-3732; Aimee McKane, FEMP; (202) 586-3000; E-mail: FEMP@tmn.com.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). NREL produces technical publications on solar and other renewable energy technologies as the nation's lead laboratory for the research and development of renewable energy. For More Info: NREL, Document Distributor Service, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401; (303) 275-4365; Web: http://www.nrel.gov.
American Solar Energy Society (ASES). ASES promotes solar energy education through journals, seminars, workshop, and other events such as the Solar `96 conference. Its members are solar professionals, researchers, students and other individuals interested in the development of solar energy. Local and regional chapters, such as the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, offer assistance with technical information and case studies. For More Info: ASES, 2400 Central Avenue, G-1, Boulder, CO 80301; (303) 443-3130; Fax: (303) 443-3212; E-mail: ases@ases.org; Web: http://www.engr.wisc.edu/ases.org/solar.
Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). SEIA is the major US trade association of solar energy system manufacturers and suppliers. Its 13 chapters in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Maryland/Virginia/DC, New England, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Texas are good sources of information on solar contracting, design, technical and financing issues. SEIA organizes a yearly national conference -- SOLTECH -- which will be held in conjunction with Solar `97 next year in Washington, DC. For More Info: SEIA, 122 C Street, NW, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20001; (202) 383-2600; Fax: (202) 383-2670; Web: http://solstice.crest.org/renewables/seia.
Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). IREC is a council of state energy offices, other municipal and state agencies, national energy laboratories, solar and renewable organizations, and individual members working to accelerate the use of renewable energy technologies in state and local governments. The Council develops services, such as the "Workshop In a Box" series, to enhance renewable energy procurement, technology transfer and education. For More Info: Jane Weissman, Executive Director, Interstate Renewable Energy Council, 15 Haydn Street, Boston, MA 02131-4013; (617) 323-7377; Fax: (617) 325-6738; E-mail: weissmanpv@aol.com; Web: http://www.eren.doe.gov/irec.
Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). The Union of Concerned Scientists is a nonprofit organization comprised of many of the nation's leading scientists and over 80,000 citizen members. As part of its Energy Program, UCS has written many accessible brochures, briefing papers and books on renewable energy. UCS has also developed Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (SEED) coalitions in Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa to increase the local use of renewable resources. For More Info: UCS, 2 Brattle Square, Cambridge, MA 02238-9105; (617) 547-5552; Fax: (617) 864-9405; E-mail: energy@ucsusa.org; Web: http://www.ucsusa.org. For more info about SEED developments in the Midwest: UCS, 1616 P St., Suite 310, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 332-0900; Fax: (202) 332-0905.
Procurement Guide for Renewable Energy Systems: A Guide for State and Local Government Agencies, Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), 1993. IREC's Procurement Guide (1) introduces PV, solar thermal and wind technologies; (2) shows readers step-by-step how to calculate on a state-by-state basis the quantities of air pollutants avoided by using renewables instead of traditional power sources; and (3) describes over 100 renewable energy components and systems offered by major renewable manufacturers. This guide is being updated for release in the fall. For More Info: see IREC's contact information above.
Renewable Energy Sourcebook: A Primer For Action, Public Citizen's Critical Mass Energy Project, 1995. This report gives readers a detailed look at the renewable energy "friendliness" of each state in the United States. The report quantifies the state's present renewable energy use, assesses its resource potential, and documents what tax incentives, utility rebate and incentive programs, and governmental policies are in operation to encourage the use, distribution or manufacture of renewable energy systems. Copies are available for $60, or on a sliding scale for nonprofits and citizen activists. For More Info: Critical Mass, 215 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003; (202) 546-4996; Fax: (202) 547-7392; E-mail: cmep@essential.org; Web: http://www.citizen.org/public_citizen/CMEP/home.html.
The World Directory of Renewable Energy Suppliers and Services - 1995, Bruce Cross, Editor, University of Wales College of Cardiff, 1995. The 1995 World Directory, the first edition of its type, lists over 6000 companies and organizations, from more than 100 different countries, which sell equipment, train operators or offer consulting, installation, maintenance or testing services for solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, hydropower, wave and tidal technologies. The 576-page directory also adds two other useful features. Fifty-nine articles written by authors from around the world introduce each of the renewable energy fields and examine worldwide activities and case studies involving their use. An extensive global reference bibliography lists books related to photovoltaics, daylighting, solar thermal applications and other renewable energy sources. For More Info: The World Directory of Renewable Energy Suppliers and Services, c/o James and James Science Publishers, Ltd., Waterside House, 47 Kentish Town Road, London NW1 8NZ, U.K.
Solar Radiation Database, National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL has recently posted a Solar Radiation Database on Solstice's Internet Web site. This Web page offers solar radiation and climate summary data for numerous locations across the United States. The data is primarily intended for siting, specifying and sizing solar energy equipment. Database information can be accessed with or without clickable imagemaps. This type of information can also be obtained by contacting NREL directly. The Web page can be accessed at: http://solstice.crest.org/renewables/solrad/index.html. For More Info: see NREL address above.
Renewables are Ready: People Creating Renewable Energy Solutions, Nancy Cole and P.J. Skerrett, Union of Concerned Scientists, 1995. Renewables are Ready is an inspiring and sophisticated primer for increasing renewable energy use at the local level. The book outlines five strategies for commercializing solar and other renewable technologies: (1) working in partnership with utilities; (2) identifying and building a niche market; (3) creating innovative financing packages; (4) changing the energy "rules" altogether; and (5) educating by example. It also provides over 60 examples of how community organizations are using these strategies to implement innovative renewable energy projects. Each case study offers ideas on what can be learned from each group's efforts. Renewables Are Ready discusses solar, biomass, wind, geothermal, alternative fuel and energy-efficiency projects. Appendices clearly explain each technology, its terminology and its applicability. To help readers take their first steps, Cole and Skerrett outline how to strategically size-up renewable energy opportunities, pull together a coalition, develop a manageable project plan and publicize their efforts. The authors also supply project-specific contacts and lists of public interest groups, government agencies and trade associations that can help activists make new projects a reality. The publication costs $19.95. To Order: Real Goods Trading Co., 966 Mazzoni Street, Ukiah, CA 95482-3471; (800) 762-7325.
Power Surge: Guide to the Coming Energy Revolution, Christopher Flavin and Nicholas Lenssen, Worldwatch Institute, 1994. Power Surge, the fifth in a series published by the Worldwatch Institute, argues that dramatic changes in our energy economy might very well be imminent. While explaining and assessing the readiness of innovative technologies, Flavin and Lenssen walk readers through those innovations in solar power, wind power, biomass, building and vehicle design, and hydrogen fuel cells they think will most likely reshape our future energy landscape. The book costs $10.95. For More Info: Worldwatch Institute, 1776 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 452-1999.
Advances in Solar Energy, American Solar Energy Society. This volume annually reviews the status of solar energy research and development. Each edition combines articles from solar energy specialists worldwide. The 1995 edition, Volume X, examines PV performance and reliability, solar detoxification and disinfection and other topics. The 1996 edition will be available in the fall. The publication costs $125 for non-members, $75 for members. For More Info: see ASES contact information above.
Solar Today. This bimonthly magazine features articles on many aspects of renewable energy technologies and applications. Solar Today is published by the American Solar Energy Society. The magazine costs $15 per year for members, $29 for non-members. For More Info: see ASES contact information above.
Solar Industry Journal. This is the quarterly publication of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). It reports current news on the US solar industry. The first issue of the year includes a complete matrix of solar product manufacturers and service providers indicating products and services offered and contact information. The matrix is not limited to SEIA members. The journal costs $25 for one year, $45 for two years. For More Info: SEIA, Attn: Publications, 122 C Street, NW, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 383-2600; Fax: (202) 383-2670. Orders also can be made off of SEIA's Web: http://solstice.crest.org/renewables/seia/catalogue.html.
The Solar Letter. This biweekly newsletter reports detailed news on solar energy and renewable technology developments and issues. The newsletter costs $384 per year. For More Info: Allan L. Frank Associates, 9124 Bradford Road, Silver Spring, MD 20901-4918; (301) 565-2532.
National Directory of Sustainable Energy Periodicals, SUN DAY Campaign. This directory lists in zip-code order the names and addresses of 900 US newsletters, magazines, journals and other periodicals that report on renewables, energy conservation and utilities. Eighty-five percent of the listings include a brief annotation. The latest edition was released in November, 1995. The directory costs $13.50. For More Info: Ken Bossong, Coordinator, SUN DAY Campaign, 315 Circle Ave., #2, Takoma Park, MD 20912-4836; (301) 270-2258; Fax: (301) 891-2866.
Solstice. Solstice is the first place to stop on the Internet for information and leads on renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable development. Visitors can view SEIA's Catalog of Successfully Operating Solar Process Heat Systems, tour Swiss PV installations, sign up on a renewable energy mailing list or usenet newsgroup, or link to any one of 89 other home pages representing trade associations, nonprofits, manufacturers, governmental energy programs and on-line magazines dealing with solar and renewable energy. For More Info: Web: http://solstice.crest.org; Gopher: gopher.crest.org; Anonymous FTP: solstice.crest.org.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). EREN is a gateway to the energy efficiency and renewable energy information of the Department of Energy's national laboratories and other multiple offices. Many fact sheets of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC) can be downloaded at this site. For More Info: Web: http://www.eren.doe.gov.
Photovoltaic Design and Installation Hands-on Workshop: August 5-16, 1996 -- Carbondale, CO. Sponsored by Solar Energy International (part of the 1996 Renewable Energy Education Program); Information/Registration: Solar Energy International, PO Box 715, Carbondale, CO 81623-0715; (970) 963-8855; Fax: (970) 963-8866; E-mail: sei@solarenergy.org.
Advanced Photovoltaics Hands-on Workshop: August 19-30 -- Carbondale, CO. Sponsored by Solar Energy International (part of the 1996 Renewable Energy Education Program); Information/Registration: Solar Energy International, PO Box 715, Carbondale, CO 81623-0715; (970) 963-8855; Fax: (970) 963-8866; E-mail: sei@solarenergy.org.
Implementing Renewable Energy Projects Workshop: August 22-23, 1996 -- Denver, CO; October 22-23, 1996 -- Washington, DC. Sponsored by US DOE Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP); Information/Registration: Chris DeChaine, 1525 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1200, Arlington, VA 22209; (703) 243-4905, Ext. 103; Fax: (703) 524-6237.
Profiting From Energy Efficiency: ACEEE 1996 Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings: August 25-31 -- Pacific Grove, CA. Sponsored by American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE); Information/Registration: Katherine Gallagher, ACEEE Summer Study Office, 2140 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 202, Berkeley, CA 94704; (510) 549-9914; Fax: (510) 549-9984; Web:http://crest.org/aceee.
1996 Energy and Environmental Management Conference: September 3-6 -- Monterey, CA. Sponsored by U.S. General Services Administration, the Committee on Energy Efficiency Commerce and Trade, and the California Energy Commission; Information/Registration: (800) 721-TEEM or (703)-741-0311.
Solar 97: Energy for a Sustainable Prosperity: April 25-30, 1997 -- Washington, DC. Sponsored by the American Solar Energy Society; Information/Registration: (303) 443-3130; Fax: (303) 443-3212; E-mail: ases@ases.org.