Renewable Energy Guides

Residential and Business Customers

A Consumer Guide to Solar Electricity for the Home - A 16 page guide, provided by the Dept. of Energy, answers frequently asked questions about the benefits of solar electricity and system basics.

A Consumer's Guide: Heat Your Water with the Sun - A 20 page booklet, provided by the Dept. of Energy, to help you learn more about how the sun can help meet your home's heating needs.

Clean Cities 2010: Vehicle Buying Guide - A 30 page guide, provided by the Dept. of Energy includes vehicle-specific information on fuel economy, emissions, vehicle specifications, estimated cost, and warranty.

NC Consumer's Guide to Buying a Solar Electric System - A 20 page guide, developed by the North Carolina Solar Center, provides basic information to assist you in your decision to purchase a photovoltaic system.

Small Wind Electric Systems: A North Carolina Consumer's Guide - A 27 page guide, developed by the Dept. of Energy, provides you with the basic information about small wind electric systems to help you decide if wind energy will work for you.

10 Steps to Developing a Wind Farm - A two page summary, provided by the American Wind Energy Association, is intended for landowners interested in developing or hosting a wind farm on their property.

2008 Renewable Energy Data Book - by the US Department of Energy. 

Education Organizations

IREC Best Practices and Recommended Practices for Training - A 25 page guide, provided by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, that recommends training guidelines, training criteria, assessment tools, task analyses, credentialing programs, and other related resources for renewable energy training programs.

Wind Energy Teachers Guide - A 15 page guide, developed by the American Wind Energy Association, provides K-12 teacher information, ideas for sparking children's and students' interest, suggestions for activities to undertake in and outside the classroom, and research tools for both teachers and students.

Government Organizations

In the Public Interest: How and Why to Permit for Small Wind Systems - A 36 page guide, provided by the American Wind Energy Association, developed for State and Local governments to help them make the permitting process affordable, streamlined, and accountable is in the best interest of the consumer, environment, and community. This guide explains why, and identifies best practices for local governments to balance the interests of property owners and the community.