|
Q: How can I learn more about solar energy?
A: Many Web sites provide excellent information about solar energy for educators, students, and consumers. These are just a few:
Visit our "For Students and Educators Section" for classroom ideas.
The U.S Department of Energy's Solar Energy Technology Program
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Photovoltaic Program
Sandia National Laboratory's Photovoltaic Program
How Stuff Works — About Photovoltaics
Other Resources: Information about solar science projects is available through these organizations:
The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has a Web site that focuses on young students; it's called Dr. E's Energy Lab and contains great ideas for student projects and learning about energy.
The Energy Information Administration Kid's Page provides a wide selection of information to help children learn about energy.
The Florida Solar Energy Center's renewable energy curriculum is updated regularly. The material forms a six-week stand-alone science curriculum or can be used in individual class sessions. The curriculum gives complete details on more than 30 classroom presentations. There is no charge for the material.
The American Electric Power's Watts on Schools project offers information about solar energy and schools. It provides lessons and activities about solar and PV data collected from school solar energy systems.
NREL's Education Partnership Website.
DOE and NREL. Solar Energy Science Project. December 1995 (PDF 260 KB).
The California Energy Commission has a program called Energy Quest, which provides information on energy-education materials for students, parents, and teachers.
Energy Center for Wisconsin has a list of books on this subject -
Schools Going Solar is a project of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council. The aim of the project is to bring solar energy to schools across the United States.
The Alliance to Save Energy provides educational information about energy efficient technologies.
Stanford University's Solar Center site presents a collection of fun educational activities for children.
back to top
Q: Where can I get information about colleges and universities that offer solar science classes?
A: A vast number of colleges and universities across the United States have programs related to renewable energy. It's a good idea to either conduct a search on the Internet or visit your local library and search for colleges and universities that offer the type of program you're looking for. Here are some other suggestions:
The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Education Web site contains many links to universities offering curricula and solar classes under "training and careers" and "higher education opportunities."
NREL's Education Partnership Website
Other Resources:
back to top
Q: Where can I get information about jobs in this industry?
A: Here are several ways to find information about employment opportunities in the solar research field or solar industry:
The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Education Web site contains many links to universities offering curricula and solar classes under "training and careers" and "higher education opportunities."
For government jobs:
To learn about career opportunities at DOE.
If you are interested in finding out about jobs available at NREL.
The Energy Center of Wisconsin's Energy Career Guide Website
For industry jobs, you might want to look at the companies listed in these directories
PV Portal list of companies
Other Resources:
back to top
Q: Where can I get information about solar energy competitions?
A: There are several exciting national competitions, including these:
Junior Solar Sprint. The U.S. Department of Energy's National Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) Program is a classroom-based, hands-on educational program for 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-grade students. JSS student teams apply math, science, and creativity to construct model solar-powered cars and race them in interscholastic competitions hosted within their schools or within their states or regions. More information can be found at.
American Solar Challenge (formerly Sunrayce). From July15 to 25th, 2003, 2300 miles of solar racing will challenge teams from around the world. High-tech and high-efficiency solar cars will cross the Great Plains, climbthe Rocky Mountains, and dash over the Great American Desert to the finish line in Southern California. Find contest information.
Solar Decathlon, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. For seven days in 2002, college and university students from across the nation created a bustling community of energy-efficient, completely solar-powered homes on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Teams are getting ready to do it again in 2005! For more information.
Other Resources: The Potomac Regional Solar Energy Association site provides information about current events and programs in the Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. area.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Office of Education Web site features many sources for competitions:
back to top
Q: Where can I get U.S. government research information on photovoltaics (PV)?
A: You can obtain copies of government-sponsored research reports through these organizations:
The National Technical Information Service is the largest central resource for government-funded scientific, technical, engineering, and business-related information today.
The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) operates 24 U.S. Government Bookstores throughout the country. GPO's online bookstore.
Other Resources: NREL's Publications Database
Sandia's Photovoltaic Program publication list
back to top
Q: What funding is available for PV research, development, and demonstration projects?
A: Funding for solar energy research, development, and demonstration projects is available through various federal, state, and nonprofit organizations. To learn more, please see the following:
Our "Financial Opportunities" page for a number of sources.
DOE's Office of Industrial Technologies' NICE3 grant program provides funding to state and industry partnerships (large and small business) for projects that develop and demonstrate advances in energy efficiency and clean production technologies.
DOE's Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) provides grants to small firms with strong science or engineering research capabilities in energy-related fields. The program's aim is to support high-quality research and development of advanced concepts concerning energy-related scientific or engineering problems, which could lead to significant public benefit if the research is successful.
EERE's Financing Solutions Website provides links to energy efficiency and renewable energy financing resources for homeowners, small business, industry, utilities, state and local programs, and federal buildings.
Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Financing Program assists communities in their search for creative approaches to funding their environmental projects; call 202-564-4994, or fax 202-565-2587.
Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy provides information about financial incentives available from individual states for renewable energy projects.
The California Energy Commission provides information about contracts and funds available for a wide array of energy projects; call 916-654-4788.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is a public benefit corporation that helps businesses, municipalities, and residents of New York State solve their energy and environmental problems while developing new, innovative products and services that can be manufactured or commercialized by firms in the state. For information about R&D contracts available from NYSERDA, please contact the Central Operator: toll-free at 1-866-NYSERDA or 518-862-1090 (8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday) or visit its Web site.
Other Resources:
back to top
|
What do we know about global climate change?
