Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start your self-training in solar supplies by learning a few basics

What exactly is this photovoltaic technology? How does it work? Well, once you start reading about it, it takes the mystery away and you start to understand that if this technology can be in your calculator, then you can also use it in your business. You may wonder it will really save you money, or how expensive it is to set up. Will it really work? And if it's so great, why aren't more people using it? These are some of the questions that you can begin to answer by following links, digging and learning.

I recommend: Clean Energy Ideas offers a basics definition for photovoltaic energy. HowStuffWorks gives you the full story about the technology and process of photovoltaic cells and how it converts sunlight directly into electricity.

Get training and learn about solar and photovoltaic power supplies at a deeper level

Read about the basics of photovoltaic cells and how this green energy is making an impact and creating a green revolution. Don your Good Samaritan robe as you set an example and help others learn this technology by first learning about it yourself.

I recommend: Green Energy Capital Partners teaches solar and photovoltaic power supplies basics. Solar Energy International offers a six-week online course on Photovoltaic Design.

Learn about the solar electric specialty (SES)

The technology is becoming popular as homeowners and green construction companies become savvy to this long-known about technology. Sparing the environment and saving homeowners money, this technology is as beautiful as the color green.

I recommend: GE is a front runner in solar and photovoltaic power supply and technology. They offer solar-paneled homes with their solar electric specialty. HighBeam Research posts articles about the latest in solar power equipment and technology. Read about products, services and lightweight roofing packages you can assemble to harness solar power for electricity.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Solar power vendors and photovoltaic suppliers with these environmentally friendly products are finding friends around the world. Take advantage of the green movement by learning about solar power and the benefits it offers you, your business and the market.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get a specialist to tell you what solar power supplies work for the system at your site

The benefits to using solar power are two-fold: help the environment with clean, 'green' energy and save yourself money on electricity. Be clear about these goals with the contractor you choose to perform an assessment so he recommends only power supplies that contribute to both of these goals in the most cost-effective way.

I recommend: Intota is an expert consulting organization whose solar supply experts have scientific, engineering and technical expertise. Green Collar is a database of sustainability professionals and consultants in every solar electric specialty dedicated to green energy. Consultants are listed by geographic location.

Research available photovoltaic power government incentives and subsidies

Local, state and federal government often offer incentives and subsidies for installing and using solar power supplies. Sometimes the benefits are for the solar supplies and solar power equipment itself. Research what price and tax breaks are available to make the cost of installing solar power equipment at your business more affordable.

I recommend: The Solar Energy Industries Association provides information about federal tax credits for installation and use of solar energy. The Tax Incentives Assistance Project is an information resource geared toward helping businesses take advantage of the tax incentives provided by the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Locate reputable distributors of photovoltaic power supplies

Once you have your business outfitted with a solar energy system, it's time to order the solar power supply and integrate it into the system. Look for reputable distributors who know their business, know their product, and offer warranties and service after the sale.

I recommend: The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) maintains a member database of professionals in the solar electric specialties dealing in both electricity and heat storage. Plug in a city and state, select "Distributor/Dealer" and select "Category" to find ASES member distributors of solar supplies in an area who supply batteries and electrical energy storage, electrical power inverters, battery chargers, charge controllers and back-up generators. Find Solar, a collaborative effort of the American Solar Energy Society, Energy Matters and the federal Department of Energy, provides a database of pre-screened distributors and other photovoltaic suppliers in the solar electric specialties.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Deep cycle batteries for solar and photovoltaic power supplies need enough amp-per-hour capacity to supply power during the longest possible 'no sun' period. Lead-acid batteries need to have 20% more amps even than this. Battery bank size is calculated based on storage capacity required, max discharge rate, max charge rate and minimum temperature for battery usage. If the system includes a back-up generator, or is connected to a grid, these requirements are relaxed.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Register for solar and photovoltaic power supplies training classes

The best way to continue or start your training in the solar power industry is to take a certified curriculum. There are training classes throughout the US, but it depends on your location if they have local classes available.

I recommend: Review the courses offered at Sun Pirate Solar, Boots on the Roof, and the Florida Solar Energy Center. For a list of all available industry training related links, you can visit the Solar Electric Power website.

Review the solar power industry publications

To obtain the very latest educational information within the solar power industry you can subscribe to an electronic newsletter. That way any updates will arrive as soon as possible. If time is not a factor, then you can order an industry journal. The journal usually comes with membership discounts and other privileges that make it more advantageous than the electronic newsletter.

I recommend: Sign up for the newsletters at the Solar Today and Solar Energy International. Purchase a subscription to the Journal of Solar Energy Engineering for the added benefits described above.

Contact a photovoltaic power supply association about membership information

Associations offer solar and photovoltaic power supplies education and training benefits, such as discount training sessions, access to conferences and wide network of industry professionals.

I recommend: Speak to a representative at the Solar Energy Industries Association or the Solar Electric Power Association about the member benefits that they offer.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be certain to ask for any solar power equipment training company's industry certification before enrolling in any classes.
• •  Prior to enrollment in any solar power supply training classes, be sure that you can handle a job where travel is a requirement, as it is within the solar equipment industry. You may even need to travel as a class for some solar power supply schools.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Photovoltaic (PV)

Tear apart the word photovoltaic to get a working definition: photo, or light, converted to volts, or electricity. People most commonly have this solar electric process in mind when referring to a solar panel.

I recommend: View solarpanels-guide.com, which offers a helpful primer on photovoltaic systems, including statistics on current worldwide usage.

Solar panel

A solar panel is a bit more complex than it appears. As noted above, companies can configure panels that convert light directly into electricity. However, producers also make panels that harness heat to use for hot water systems. However, these hot water systems need electricity to run pumps that circulate the fluid for heating, which might lead you right back to a photovoltaic system for long-term energy reduction.

I recommend: GE builds panel systems that blend right into the roof, rather than relying on a potentially ungainly superstructure that your roof would have to support.

Solar thermal

As the term implies, solar thermal puts infrared energy to work. The system could be as simple as a water heater, or as complex as a secondary system top photovoltaics by absorbing the sun's warmth and slowly releasing it through heat exchangers that power an electric generator when the sun goes down.

I recommend: Solel’s solar thermal system has provided electricity to a half million consumers for nearly two decades. Review an in-depth description of this process works.

Deep cycle battery

If you don't connect to an electric grid, you'll need a way to regulate the fluctuations that occur when relying on solar energy systems, to store excess energy in peak production periods and siphon off that excess when production is off. Deep cycle batteries provide this back-up.

I recommend: Northern Arizona Wind & Sun delves into the pros and cons of various types of deep cycle batteries, from the most common lead-acid battery (just like in a car) to relatively new AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) sealed batteries, which are lightweight and maintenance free.

Charge controller

If you use deep cycle batteries, you'll want a charge controller between the battery bank and the panels, to manage the energy flow so you're losing as little energy as possible. A charge controller can be used directly or diverted to the battery bank.

I recommend: Blue Sky Energy produces a full line of controllers; its site includes detailed specification, installation and operating sheets.

Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)

If you live in an urban setting, northern climates, or run a business that consumes more electricity than you can generate by installing your own panel system, look for a power supplier that will sign a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Essentially it's a type of lease agreement where they own and maintain the solar power generating system and you purchase the electricity. You can build in price controls that work to your advantage, rather than feeling victimized by the rate increases of your local power monopoly.

I recommend: Green Energy Capital Partners covers PPAs for customers, primarily in the commercial sector.