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Resources

Below is a list of resources for solar, biomass, hydroelectric, and wind energy.

Solar

Publications

  • The Solar Electric Option (Instead of a Power Line Extension) (PDF 1 MB): An overview of how PV technology works, how PV systems are designed, safety issues, three examples of remote applications, and a glossary of terms. Sixteen pages. Published jointly by the Arizona Corporation Commission and the Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office.

  • Staff Guidelines on Photovoltaics versus Line Extensions (PDF 219 KB): An explanation of three guidelines one utility used to determine whether a PV system would be cheaper than a line extension over thirty years (overhead single phase, underground single phase, three phase underground). Seven pages. Published by the Arizona Corporation Commission's Utility Division.

  • Photovoltaics versus Line Extensions: Creating Informed Customer Choices (PDF 822 KB): Discusses implications for service quality and compares the economics of PV vs. line extensions. Twenty-eight pages. By David Berry and Robert Gray, Utilities Division, Arizona Corporation Commission.

Websites

  • Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network (VECAN) Community Solar Toolbox: This page helps communities and community members understand common models and approaches to community solar in Vermont and provides helpful best practices, case studies, and resources.
  • The Leasing Municipal and Private Property for Solar fact sheet from the Solar Foundation contains information that may be useful to Vermonters considering leasing their land for solar development.
  • Vermont Solar Consumer Guide from Renewable Energy Vermont and the Residential Consumer Guide to Solar Power from the Solar Energy Industries Association.
  • PVWatts Calculator: PVWatts Calculator was developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to help individuals estimate the energy production and cost of energy of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) energy systems at their home or business. Homeowners, businesses, and researchers use the PVWatts Calculator to develop quick estimates of renewable energy production at locations throughout the U.S. The PVWatts Calculator uses a map-based interface to allow you to choose the exact location of your PV array. Based on your location, system size, and other variables, the PVWatts Calculator estimates the electricity production you can expect from your system.
  • Tracking the Sun: This is Berkeley Lab’s annual report that summarizes installed prices and other trends among grid-connected, distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in the United States. While not a direct substitute for the U.S. Department of Energy's Open PV Project, which was discontinued in 2019, it does contain much of the same data from a variety of sources including utilities, installers, and the general public.
  • DOE's Solar America Communities program is committed to developing a sustainable solar infrastructure that removes market barriers and encourages the adoption of solar energy by residents and businesses in local communities. The objective is to develop comprehensive approaches that lay the foundation for a viable solar market and provide a model for communities throughout the United States. The National Community Solar Partnership will bring the lessons learned and best practices from the Solar America Cities partnerships to communities across the United States.
  • Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) provides comprehensive information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives and policies that promote solar energy. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Energy Technologies Program, DSIRE provides solar-specific policy information to consumers, policy-makers, businesses, utilities, researchers and other stakeholders.

 

Biomass

Publications

Websites

Hydropower

Vermont Small Hydropower Assistance Program

This program is no longer active, but the resources below may assist those considering hydropower development to better understand the federal permitting requirements and process and the role of state agencies in that process.

The draft screening criteria, combined stakeholder comments, and summary of comments with reply comments are also available.

Publications

Websites

Wind

Publications

Websites

  • DOE Wind Powering America Program: Wind Powering America is a nationwide initiative designed to increase the use of wind energy across the United States by working with regional stakeholders. State-by-state breakdowns of wind resource potential, success stories, installed wind capacity, news, events, and other resources are updated regularly.
  • Small Wind Certification Council (SWCC): The SWCC, an independent organization, assesses and issues certificates and consumer labels for the performance and safety of small wind turbines in accordance with criteria established in the AWEA Standard. The website describes the process and includes sortable listings for certified turbines and pending applications. The website was designed to give consumers, applicants and stakeholders a more robust set of resources to aid in the development of the small wind market.
  • Wind Energy Maps and Data: From the U.S. Department of Energy WINDExchange page.
  • Governors' Wind Energy Coalition - a bipartisan group of the nation's governors who are dedicated to the development of the nation's wind energy resources to meet America's domestic energy demands in an environmentally responsible manner, while reducing the nation's dependence on imported energy sources and stimulating state and national economic development.
  • The land-based portion of the Northeast Wind Resource Center (NWRC) builds on two previous projects, the New England Wind Forum (NEWF) and the New England Wind Energy Education Project (NEWEEP). Materials from these projects are archived on this webpage.