Building Energy

Solar Resources

The following links are useful resources for exploring the feasibility of a clean energy system at your home or business.

Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency

DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Sunangle Calculator

The Sun Angle Calculator calculates solar angle data based on date, time, and location. This handy tool provides a relatively simple method of determining solar geometry variables for architectural design, such as designing shading devices or locating the position of the sun relative to a particular latitude and time. The Sun Angle Calculator is a quick and accurate tool and has been used extensively by educators, researchers, and design professionals for the past 50 years.

First Look

First Look is a web site that provides online tools to evaluate a specific site's potential for solar systems and wind generators. Simply locate your proposed site, evaluate it with the online resource maps and generate a comprehensive renewable energy assessment, delivered straight to your computer.

Clean Power Estimator

The Clean Power Estimator evaluates the economics and pollution reduction associated with installing PV solar, solar thermal and wind turbines. The program takes your selections, combines them with pre-collected data (electric rate schedules; federal and state income tax rates; federal, state, and utility economic incentives; local weather data; electric load profiles; and clean energy system performance) and analyzes the information using published research methods.