Organizations
& Resources
The
Consumer Energy Center, an online educational project
of the California Energy Commission, has a page of Solar
FAQs available on their website that answers many
questions about solar systems.
The
California Energy
Commission is the state's primary energy policy and
planning agency. The CEC promotes energy efficiency through
appliance and building standards, develops energy technologies
and supports renewable energy. They provide market support
to existing, new and emerging renewable technologies.
The Commission helps Californians continue to have energy
choices that are affordable, reliable, diverse, safe and
environmentally acceptable. The CEC puts out an FAQ
regarding net metering on their website. Net metering
allows customers with grid tied solar systems to run their
meter backwards while generating a surplus amount of energy,
so they only have to pay for the net cost.
PowerLight
Solar Electric Systems has produced case studies documenting
their work on California
wineries and agricultural
solar systems.
ATTRA
- National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
provides information and other technical assistance to
farmers, ranchers, Extension agents, educators, and others
involved in sustainable agriculture in the United States.
ATTRA publishes a paper on solar
powered livestock watering systems which discusses
cost, components, terminology, design and installation
as well as the strengths and weaknesses of solar pumping
compared with other options for pumping in remote locations.
Suppliers & Consultants
Before
getting someone to install your solar system check out
these notes on choosing
a contractor, compiled by the Marin County Community
Development Agency Sustainability Team.
There
are several sites on the web that have extensive listings
of energy resources:
