It's always a good idea to do a little research before making a major investment. So if you're interested in solar power for your non-profit or business, where do you go? We've compiled a helpful list of resources, websites, and blogs that we ourselves use. Pick the sources that provide the best solar energy information and facts for your needs - from technology updates and solar economics to sustainable business thought leaders, use this presentation as your guide as you begin your research.

1. Solar Energy Resources

2. Solar Energy Resources
Why you should do your research before installing
solar
• Make informed decisions about your energy use and your
potential purchase
• Choose the financing option that’s right for your business
• Understand the financial case for clean energy
• Understand how solar energy works
• Understand your state’s policies and incentives for solar
energy
• Find an installer with a solid reputation for quality work,
who uses quality solar panels and inverters
In this presentation, our goal is to provide a diverse group of
resources to help you get a head start on your solar
energy research , or just to help you find a source for
helpful information.

3. Solar Energy Resources
Industry resources
Industry resources often provide insider information and help you understand the installer’s
perspective, as well as policies and incentives.
• Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) – http://seia.org
• Renewable Energy World – http://renewableenergyworld.com
• Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency
(DSIRE™) – http://www.dsireusa.org
• National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL) – http://nrel.gov
• PV Magazine – http://www.pv-magazine.com
• Green Tech Media – http://www.greentechmedia.com
• Clean Technica blog – http://cleantechnica.com
• Solar Novus Today – http://solarnovustoday.com

4. Solar Energy Resources
Clean Energy Economics
There’s a strong financial case for installing solar energy. These sources and blogs report news,
data, and case studies to support it.
• Osmosis Investment Management – Osmosis is a British financial firm
that specializes in sustainable investments. They engage in what they term
“practical sustainability” and often publish helpful research. –
http://osmosisim.com
• The Inspired Economist blog – the Inspired Economist is “a bridge
between idealism and capitalism,” often posting on the business case for
sustainability – http://inspiredeconomist.com
• Bloomberg New Energy Finance – Source of “insight, data and news on
the transformation of the energy sector” – http://bnef.com
• TriplePundit – cultivating understanding of the triple bottom line –
http://triplepundit.com

5. Solar Energy Resources
Business Favorites Gone Clean
Many heavy hitters in business news have sections or contributors focused on the emergence of
clean and sustainable technology and business practices.
• Forbes – Contributors like Terry Waghorn, Philip Fava, and Danny Kennedy write about
sustainable business and innovation. Try searching Forbes.com for “sustainability,” “solar,”
or similar topics.
• The Guardian – the British newspaper has a robust Sustainable Business section and
even hosts educational courses – http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business
• Washington Post – this major U.S. newspaper has a blog – Post Carbon – devoted to
environmental news and a news page devoted to “green” categories, including energy –
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/nation/green/
• Wall Street Journal – Not only does the financial paper host an environmental capital
conference – ECO:nomics – but there’s no lack of sustainable business articles among
their pages – http://online.wsj.com/public/page/environment-economy.html

6. Solar Energy Resources
Sustainability
It’s a popular buzzword these days. What’s it really mean to be sustainable? These sources and
blogs provide news and reports and prompt discussion.
• Grist – Environmental News, commentary, advice – http://grist.org
• FastCoExist – From Fast Company: World changing ideas and innovation –
http://fastcoexist.com
• Sustainablog – http://sustainablog.com
• OnEarth Magazine – reporting and commentary on science & technology,
nature & wildlife, cities, food, health, and business – http://onearth.org
• SustainablePlant – Nope, not that kind of plant. Sustainable Plant is a great
resource for the manufacturing industry – http://sustainableplant.com

7. Solar Energy Resources
Social Follows
Some of the best insights come from individuals on Twitter, or from following
industry news on LinkedIn.
• LinkedIn – Ever explored LinkedIn today? It’s a great place to aggregate the day’s
news, tailored to your interests. Try following Sources like Fast Company or greenbiz.com
and Influencers like Deepak Chopra or Joel Makower – http://linkedin.com/today/settings
• Twitter – Many of the world’s top C-Suites – including Chief Sustainability Officers, CFOs,
and Chief Operating Officers – and authors take to Twitter to share their insights. A few
suggested follows:
• Dave Stangis – VP of Public Affairs/CR at Campbell Soups - @DaveStangis
• Umair Haque – author, economist, slayer of zombies - @umairh
• Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) - @SEIA
• Mark Coleman – author of “The Sustainability Generatio” - @TheSustainGen

8. Solar Energy Resources
Solar energy is a multi-faceted energy source.
No matter how in-depth or surface-level you want
to go in your research, it always helps to have a
wealth of diverse resources. We hope you’ve
helped you get a start in that – whether you’re
interested in installing, the technology, the
financials, or the industry.
Think there’s something we missed? Leave us a
comment and we’ll address it.

9. Brightergy, one of the nation’s fastest-growing full-service solar
development and finance firms, offers turn-key solar design,
installation, monitoring, and inhouse financing services.
Our extensive experience includes hundreds of projects completed
for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies and utilities to
nonprofits and mid-sized businesses.
We make it simple, rewarding, and profitable to do the right thing.

10. Our Purpose
We make it simple, rewarding, and profitable to do the right thing.
• Manage every aspect of each project – we are as scalable as the
projects we do
• Focus on the financials and economics to allow entities to adopt solar
as a viable energy source
• Energy is the lifeblood of commerce – now you can save on
something you have to have to do business
• Investing in solar results in sustainable profits