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Solar energy is the radiant light and heat from the Sun that has
been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving
technologies. Solar radiation along with secondary solar resources
such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass account
for most of the available renewable energy on Earth. Only a minuscule
fraction of the available solar energy is used.
Solar power technologies provide electrical generation by means
of heat engines or photovoltaics. Once converted its uses are only
limited by human ingenuity. A partial list of solar applications
includes space heating and cooling through solar architecture, potable
water via distillation and disinfection, daylighting, hot water,
thermal energy for cooking, and high temperature process heat for
industrial purposes.
Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either passive
solar or active solar depending on the way they capture, convert
and distribute sunlight. Active solar techniques include the use
of photovoltaic panels, solar thermal collectors, with electrical
or mechanical equipment, to convert sunlight into useful outputs.
Passive solar techniques include orienting a building to the Sun,
selecting materials with favorable thermal mass or light dispersing
properties, and designing spaces that naturally circulate air.
- Wikipedia
Solar Power / Energy Manufacturers & Services
American Solar Energy Society (ASES) | ases.org
| 303-443-3130 | Boulder, CO
Strives to accelerate the development
and use of solar and other renewable energy resources through advocacy,
education, research and collaboration among professionals, policy-makers
and the public.
Arizona Solar Energy Association (ASEA) | azsolarcenter.com/solarorg/asea1.html
ASEA's mission is to educate the people of Arizona about solar energy,
its applications, and the benefits of utilizing solar technologies.
Building-integral On-site Solar and Wind
Power Systems | home.earthlink.net/~fradella/green.htm
This brief tutorial explains how to estimate power and energy yields,
of building-integral on-site solar and wind power conversion, storage,
and management installations; analyzes past and new systems; and
compares their cost.
Citizens for Solar | citizensforsolar.org
Our mission is to educate the general public about the benefits
of solar power by demonstrating solar technology and helping people
become part of the solar culture.
Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES) | cres-energy.org/index.html
A nonprofit membership organization that works for the sensible
adoption of cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy
technologies by Colorado businesses and consumers.
Consumer’s Guide to Renewable Energy in Arkansas
| arkansasenergy.org/media/170965/consumers_guide.pdf | 800-558-2633
| Little Rock, AR
Prepared by the National Center for Appropriate
Technology (NCAT) for the Arkansas Energy Office.
Easy Solar Power | motherearthnews.com/Renewable-Energy/2006-10-01/Easy-Solar-Power.aspx
Article by Cheryl Long, Mother Earth News.
El Paso Solar Energy Association | epsea.org
Provides practical information on solar energy and energy efficiency.
flasolar.com | flasolar.com | 407-786-5552 |
Longwood, FL
This site is dedicated to the use and development
of solar energy for your home or business.
Florida Solar Energy Industries Association (FlaSEIA)
| .flaseia.org
A nonprofit professional association of companies
involved in the solar energy industry.
Harnessing Direct Solar Energy – a Progress Report
| science.org.au/nova/005/005key.htm
Sponsored by the Australian
Government's National Innovation Awareness Strategy.
Home Power Magazine | homepower.com | 800-707-6585
| Ashland, OR
Magazine covering solar, wind, and microhydro electricity,
home energy efficiency, solar hot water systems, space heating and
cooling, green building materials and home design, efficient transportation,
and more.
How Solar Cells Work | howstuffworks.com/solar-cell.htm
By by Scott Aldous, HowStuffWorks, Inc.
International Solar Energy Society | ises.org
| +49 - 761 - 45906-0 | Germany
A UN-accredited NGO present in
more than 50 countries, the Society supports its members in the
advancement of renewable energy technology, implementation and education
all over the world.
Keeping Track of Sun's Power | news.zdnet.com/2100-1040_22-6125783.html
Article by Michael Kanellos, CNET News.com, published on ZDNet News.
Louisiana Solar Energy Society | lses.org
A nonprofit organization based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, dedicated
to promoting and educating people about solar energy.
Montana Green Power | montanagreenpower.com/solar/index.php
| 800-275-6228
Solar energy information and links.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
| nrel.gov/solar | 303-275-3000 | Golden, CO
A leader in the
U.S. Department of Energy's effort to secure an energy future for
the nation that is environmentally and economically sustainable.
Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP) | repp.org/index.html
| Washington, DC
Supports the advancement of renewable energy
technology through policy research and seeks to define growth strategies
for renewables that respond to competitive energy markets and environmental
needs.
Renewable Energy: White Paper Laying Down a Community
Strategy and Action Plan | europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l27023.htm
From Activities of the European Union, Summaries of legislation.
Solarbuzz, LLC | solarbuzz.com
Connect to
solar energy companies worldwide, follow solar energy developments.
or access our solarbuzz research and consultancy services.
Solar Electric Power Association | solarelectricpower.org
| 202-857-0898 | Washington, DC
A nonprofit organization with
125 utility, electric service provider, manufacturer, installer,
government, and research members. SEPA’s mission is to facilitate
the use and integration of solar electric power by utilities, electric
service providers, and their customers.
Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) |
seia.org | 202-682-0556 | Washington, DC
SEIA works to expand
the use of solar technologies, strengthen research and development,
remove market barriers, and improve education and outreach for solar.
Solar Energy International (SEI) | solarenergy.org
| 970-963-8855 | Carbondale, CO
Offers hands-on workshops in
solar, wind and water power and natural building technologies. Sign
up to receive SEI's monthly e-newsletter to keep you up to date
on solar happenings around the world.
Solar Energy Technologies Program | eere.energy.gov/solar/index.html
Leads the effort to research, develop, and deploy cost-effective
technologies toward growing the use of solar energy throughout our
nation and the world., from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office
of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Solar-powered Mesh Project Helps find New Frog
| news.com.com/Solar-powered+mesh+project+helps+find+new+frog/2100-7351_3-6123426.html
Article by David Meyer, CNET News.com.
Solar Power: FAQs | repp.org/articles/static/1/995469913_2.html
By Peter Hemberger, REPP.
Solar Power Global Maps | solar4power.com/solar-power-global-maps.html
| 936-264-4873
Global Maps of Solar Power - Average Peak Sun
Hours, from Advanced Energy Group.
Solarsail Society | solarsail.ch | Switzerland
The purpose of the Society is to make renewable energy, especially
solar energy, known to the public. To reach this aim, the Society
built and runs the Solarsail photovoltaic power plant in Münsingen,
which converts environment-friendly solar energy into electricity.
The Basics of Solar Power for Producing Electricity
| solar4power.com/solar-power-basics.html | 936-264-4873
Information
from Advanced Energy Group.
URSI White Paper on Solar Power Satellite |
ursi.ca/SPS-2006sept.pdf
(SPS) Systems
Based on detailed reports
on SPS prepared by the URSI Inter- Commission Working Group on SPS
(SPSICWG)
Wikipedia | en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power
Solar power definition, information and links.
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