Solar Energy Links

Montana has an abundant solar resource that can be used to save energy in residential and commercial construction, and farming, ranching, recreation and other industries.

The links on this page tell the solar story, including descriptions of the technologies that we can use to make the most of clean - and free - energy from the sun.

American Solar Energy Society (ASES)
The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is a national organization dedicated to advancing the use of solar energy for the benefit of U.S. citizens and the global environment.

Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC)
FSEC is the largest and most active state-supported renewable energy and energy efficiency research, training, and certification institute in the United States. FSEC maintains ongoing activities and programs in the following areas:

Photovoltaic systems
Solar thermal systems
Energy-efficient buildings
Building design assistance
Simulation model development
International education
Air quality
Windows and daylighting
Hydrogen from renewable resources
Pollutant detoxification
Photoelectrochemical processes
Alternative-fueled vehicle

Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)
IREC is a non-profit organization committed to accelerating the sustainable utilization of renewable energy resources and technologies in and through state, local government, and community activities. IREC offers a range of market-oriented services and products targeted at education, coordination, and procurement; it also operates PV4You, a network of state, local and national groups and communities accelerating the deployment of off-grid and grid-connected photovoltaics.

LAZAR's Solar Guide
This site is designed as an online reference guide for anyone looking for practical information on utilizing sun's energy.

Michigan Energy Demonstration Center at Northwestern Michigan College
Provides a host of useful information on renewables and energy efficiency, and also provides training and education.

North Carolina Solar Center
North Carolina Solar Center provides programs and resources that help people throughout North Carolina take advantage of solar energy. The Center also makes available online numerous publications, including Information Factsheets (30 online technical documents on solar and renewable energy); Sunbook - a guide to solar energy; plus a directory of information resources for conservation and renewable energy information.

Renewable Resource Data Center (RReDC)
RReDC provides information on several types of renewable energy resources in the United States, in the form of publications, data, and maps. An extensive dictionary of renewable energy related terms is also provided. The News section announces new products on the RReDC, which is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's Resource Assessment Program and managed by the Photovoltaics Technology Division of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Residential Solar Heating Collectors
Solar collectors are the heart of most solar energy systems. The collector absorbs the sun's light energy and changes it into heat energy. This publication describes the different types of solar collectors used for residences. It also briefly covers the solar heating systems for which they are best suited.

Shining On
Accurate information is important for designing energy systems. This primer examines one of the most important pieces of information - solar radiation data. It explains what solar radiation data are, why they are needed, what data are measured, how the data are used, and how data uncertainties affect performance and economic projections. It also examines how climate, geography, and atmospheric conditions cause the amount of solar radiation to vary, and discusses solar radiation data bases and products available for engineering and economic analyses.

Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
SEIA is the national trade association of solar energy manufacturers, dealers, distributors, contractors and installers.Its primary mission is to expand the use of solar technologies in the global marketplace. National members combined with chapter members in 22 states exceed 500 companies providing solar thermal and solar electric products and services.

Solar Glossary
Find definitions for dozens of solar terms at this glossary from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Solar Monitoring
The University of Oregon Solar Radiation Monitoring Laboratory operates solar monitoring stations around the Northwest and is dedicated to producing high quality solar radiation data for solar energy resource evaluation and long-term climate studies.

Solar Nation
Striving to change and improve energy policy in America so that solar power becomes a key element of our future.

Solar and Wind Easements
Montana's solar and wind easement provisions allow property owners to create solar and wind easements for the purpose of protecting and maintaining proper access to sunlight and wind. While 32 other states have solar easement provisions, only three other states have created specific provisions for the creation of wind easements. Montana's solar easement law was enacted in 1979 and the wind easement was enacted in 1983.

SunAngle
SunAngle computes the position of the sun and related information for a given location, date, and time. This information may be useful in building design, solar energy system design, photography, and other applications.