Ecolighten: Urban Solar Garden in New Westminster
Ecolighten describes the Urban Solar Garden project in New Westminster. It is a 50 kW solar array that allows local residents, businesses and non-profit organizations who’ve invested in the project access to renewable energy.
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CICan: Canadian Government Supports New Solar Curriculum
Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) press release says Government of Canada will partner with the Electricity Sector Council to develop new occupational standards for solar equipment installers. In addition, the Government will support the Association of Canadian Community Colleges as they develop a national curriculum for designers and installers of solar energy systems, to be shared at no charge with colleges and institutes across Canada. Courses will include design and installation for commercial and residential solar hot water system and for various applications and sizes of photovoltaic systems. (PDF)
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Wisconsin Univ: Solar Energy Laboratory
University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering Solar Energy Lab educates students through research experiences in solar and conventional energy utilization.
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BCSEA: Community Solar In BC
BC Sustainable Energy Association says it's easy to understand why BC communities love solar energy: it's a local solution to our energy needs, keeps valuable energy dollars in the community, and creates much needed employment when traditional areas of the economy are struggling. Here they categorize, in a broad way, several models that have been used to get systems installed and producing for the public's benefit.
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CanSIA: Annual Solar Canada Conference & Exposition
Solar Canada brings together the solar and renewable energy industry and community to share knowledge and to experience advancements in solar energy policy, markets and industry capacity. Continue or build new relationships with business partners while also learning about new market opportunities in other provinces and new technological advancements that will have a lasting impact as Canada moves towards a strong solar future. Solar energy professionals, practitioners, stakeholders or advocates should not miss the premier solar energy event in Canada.
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CanSIA: Canadian Solar Industry Market Intelligence
Canadian Solar Industries Association provides up to date information on the Canadian solar market including values for installed capacity across the country, details of the solar supply chain from manufacturing to project development, and various pieces of analysis conducted by or on behalf of CanSIA.
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CanSIS: Realizing True Value Of Solar Energy In Alberta
Canadian Solar Industries Association online policy position paper From Proven Reserve to Developed Resource: Realizing the True Value of Solar Energy in Alberta, outlines recommendations that would ensure a meaningful role for solar energy in Alberta's electricity mix. (PDF)
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Drake Landing: Alberta Solar Community
Drake Landing Solar Community is a master planned neighborhood in Okotoks, Alberta. It has integrated Canadian energy efficient technologies with a district system designed to store solar energy underground during the summer months and distribute the energy to each home for space heating needs during winter months.
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US BLS: Careers In Solar Power
US Bureau of Labour Statistics report Careers in Solar Power provides information on the process of generating solar power and details various occupations in the solar industry. It provides a brief job description of several occupations; credentials needed to work in the occupation, such as education, training, certification, or licensure; and wage data. (PDF)
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ASES: American Solar Energy Society
American Solar Energy Society is a US national membership organization promoting the development and use of solar and other renewable energy resources through advocacy, education, research and collaboration among professionals, policy-makers and the public.
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FSEC: Renewable Energy Research
Florida Solar Energy Center conducts research in building science, photovoltaics, solar thermal, hydrogen and alternative fuels, fuel cells and other advanced energy technologies.
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SEIA: Solar Energy Industries Association
US Solar Energy Industries Association is the national trade association of solar energy manufacturers, dealers, distributors, contractors, installers, architects, consultants, and marketers, working to expand the use of solar technologies in the global marketplace.
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SESCI: Solar Energy Society of Canada Inc.
Solar Energy Society of Canada Inc. is a membership organization that promotes the increased use of solar and other renewable energies in Canada through education, technical development, public policy, conferences, and more. SESCI supports energy conservation, industry, and all forms of renewable energy, such as active and passive solar, photovoltaic, micro hydro, biomass, wind and earth energy.
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SNEBRN: Smart Net-Zero Energy Buildings Strategic Research Network
Smart Net-zero Energy Buildings strategic Research Network is a major Canadian research effort in smart net-zero energy utilization in buildings. It brings together 29 Canadian researchers from 15 universities to develop the smart net-zero energy homes and commercial buildings of the future.
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US DOE: Solar Energy SunShot Initiative
US Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy SunShot Initiative is a collaborative national initiative to make solar energy cost competitive with other forms of energy by the end of the decade. Reducing the installed cost of solar energy systems by about 75% will drive widespread, large-scale adoption of this renewable energy technology and restore U.S. leadership in the global clean energy race.
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BuildItSolar: Solar Energy Projects For Do It Yourselfers
Build It Solar will help people with Do It Yourself skills build solar projects that save money and reduce pollution. It is a hands-on site with detailed plans for solar projects including solar space heating, water heating, passive solar home design, solar pool heating, solar cooking, photovoltiacs, wind generators, and others.
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NREL: Resource Site On Solar Energy
US National Renewable Energy Laboratory site provides information on solar energy basics, and solar systems including concentrating, passive, photovoltaic, hot water, and process heat.
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Solar Today: ASES Solar Industry Magazine
Solar Today is the bimonthly magazine published by the American Solar Energy Society, that covers all solar and renewable energy technologies, from photovoltaics to climate-responsive buildings to wind power and biomass. Regular topics include building case studies, energy policy and community-scale projects. Subscription Required.
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CanSIA: Consumer Protection Initiative For Canadian Solar Industry
Canadian Solar Industries Association new Consumer Protection Initiative goals are to increase consumer confidence and enhance industry professionalism. It includes Going Solar: A Guide for Consumers, Solar Business Code of Conduct, and a Complaint Resolution and Disciplinary Process.
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Climate Examiner: Alberta Renewables Delivers low Prices, But Backup Still Needed
Climate Examiner says Alberta renewable energy rock-bottom prices do not solve the problem that wind, like solar, is beholden to the caprices of Mother Nature and thus is not available whenever the electricity is needed. So, Albertan wind power will have to be coupled with backup or storage, most likely coming in the form of natural gas in the short term.
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CanSIA: Canadian Guide on Going Solar
Canadian Solar Industries Association online Canada's Go Solar Guide & Directory will help you navigate various solar options and identify the right solutions for you and your energy needs. Whether you're buying a solar system outright or entering a long term agreement with a solar company, this guide will help you understand the basics of solar energy, investigate important considerations for items such as home insurance, and identify what questions to ask their solar professionals. (PDF)
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CMHC: Architect Guide To Solar Energy For Multi Family Buildings
CMHC online guide Solar Energy for Buildings, a booklet for continuing education of architects, presents basic information on solar building design, which includes passive solar heating, ventilation air heating, solar domestic water heating and shading. It suggests ways to incorporate solar design into multi-unit residential buildings, and provides calculations and examples to show how early design decisions can increase the useable solar energy. (PDF)
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NRCan: Photovoltaic Potential & Solar Resource Maps Of Canada
Natural Resources Canada photovoltaic potential and solar resource maps of Canada offer estimates of the electricity that grid-connected photovoltaic systems can generate without batteries, and the mean daily global insolation for any location in Canada. (EXCEL)
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NRCan: Solar Ready Guidelines
NRCan online Solar Ready Guidelines specify a number of design considerations and modifications builders can make to new attached and detached homes in preparation for the installation of a future solar thermal system or solar photovoltaic system. (PDF)
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NREL: Overview Of Solar Ready Implementation Practices
US National Renewable Energy Laboratory report Solar Ready: An Overview of Implementation Practices, explores three mechanisms for encouraging solar ready design and construction: solar ready legislation, certification programs for solar ready design and construction, and stakeholder education. (PDF)
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NREL: Solar Ready Buildings Planning Guide
US National Renewable Energy Laboratory document identifies important aspects of building design and construction to enable installation of solar photovoltaic and heating systems at some time after the building is constructed. This document addresses photovoltaic (PV), solar hot water (ST), and solar ventilation preheat (SVP) systems. (PDF)
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Physorg: Solar Panels Keep Buildings Cool
Physorg says rooftop solar panels generate power and provide a cooling effect. Thermal infrared imagery confirmed the ceiling under solar panels of a University of California building was 5 F cooler than under exposed roof sections. Since they permit air circulation between the structure and the roof, tilted panels were more efficient than flush-mounted units as roof shades.
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Solar Roadmap: Your Path To Regional Prosperity
Solar Roadmap platform organizes global best practices and makes them easily accessible locally for government agencies, regional organizations, businesses and electric utilities. Through a tailored Solar Roadmap, your community can join others from across the country that are transforming their communities with clean energy solutions.
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US DOE: Builder Brochure On Solar Systems & Benefits
US Department of Energy free online brochure developed specifically for residential home builders provides information on basic solar facts, selling tips, and important resources when incorporating solar technologies into building plans. (PDF)
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US DOE: Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments
US Department of Energy online guide Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments was developed as a resource for those who want to develop community solar projects, from community organizers or solar energy advocates to government officials or utility managers. (PDF)
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EarthTechling: Solar Energy Costs Trends Over Time
EarthTechling says since 2010, the cost of installing solar has dropped an incredible 65%. While buying a solar installation might’ve been only for the well-to-do just a decade ago, with today’s low prices (and great financing options) anyone can install solar and save some money on their energy bills.
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GEF: Banff Launches First Municipal Solar Feed-In Tariff In Canada
Green Energy Futures says Banff is the first municipality in Canada to implement a feed-in tariff or what it's calling a solar PV production incentive. It is a simple, revolutionary piece of policy that ensures its residents and businesses get a fair rate of return for investing in clean energy production.
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REW: Community Solar Is New Model For Local Ownership
Renewable Energy World describes a new report by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Community Solar Power: Obstacles and Opportunities, that examines nine community solar projects, the policies that made them possible, and the substantial barriers that remain.
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REW: Delivering Zero-Day Payback With Power Purchase Agreement
Renewable Energy World explains a Power Purchase Agreement, that functions via a third-party that serves as the owner and operator of the system and sells the power to the site host under a long-term contract. Making the most of solars inherently long lifetime, the model essentially translates the daunting upfront cost into electricity pricing paid out over the life of the system.
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