Agencies

Energy Information Administration
EIA - Electricity Data, Electric Power Capacity and Fuel Use, Electric Surveys and Analysis.

Energy Star
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. Energy Star Products, home improvement, new home construction, and more.

Texas State Energy Conservation Office ("SECO")
SECO has tips and tools for residential energy consumers, state and local government, business and industry, as well as resources for schools and teachers to reduce energy costs and maximize efficiency.

U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network
Information on biomass, geothermal technologies, solar energy, hydrogen, weatherization, and more. Includes materials for students and educators.

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Annual Events

Prairie Fest (April)
To promote the conservation and restoration of Tandy Hills Natural Area (THNA) as a rare remaining example of native prairie that was indigenous to most of the Fort Worth area.

Mayfest (first weekend in May)
Mayfest commemorates the Trinity River as a natural resource and community asset by creating opportunities for use and enjoyment.

Winston Solar Challenge (July)
The Winston School Solar Car Challenge was established in 1993 to help motivate students in science and engineering, and to increase alternative energy awareness. The Challenge, a part of The Winston School Solar Science Academy, teaches high school students around the world how to build roadworthy solar cars.

Renewable Energy Roundup (September)
Community and family oriented Green Living Fair has grown to be the largest "green show" in the South. See the latest in eco-friendly technologies. Learn how to save and create your own energy. Attend informative talks by experts. Visit vendors to see contemporary green living and sustainability practices. Test drive the next generation in personal transportation.

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Associations & Organizations

American Solar Energy Society
The ASES leads a national effort to promote solar energy education and increased use of solar energy, energy efficiency, and other sustainable technologies in the U.S.

American Wind Energy Assoc.
AWEA promotes wind energy as a clean source of electricity for consumers around the world. They offer publications, information resources, news, and events related to residential and commercial wind generated electricity.

City of Irving Green Web Page
The City of Irving is proud to introduce the "Think Green, Be Green" Web site, designed to provide an opportunity to discover, learn, and implement suggestions to become stewards of the environment.

EarthShare of Texas
EarthShare of Texas, a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation, is committed to making environmental support as easy as possible by giving working people the ability to donate through workplace payroll contribution campaigns. Today EarthShare of Texas represents and supports more than 70 of America's most respected environmental and conservation groups, including 39 national organizations and hundreds of local groups in 18 affiliate states. Texas Solar Energy Society is supported in part through fundraising efforts by EarthShare of Texas.

North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners ("NABCEP")
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners supports and works with the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries to develop and implement quality credentialing and certification programs for practitioners (installers). NABCEP maintains a Directory of Certified Installers by state. This is the list for Texas.

Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association ("TREIA")
TREIA represents over 500 member companies, organizations, agencies and individuals providing products, services and information in the areas of solar electric generation, solar hot water, large and small-scale wind electric generation, biomass electric generation and liquid renewable fuels, geothermal heating and cooling, geothermal electric generation, and sustainable (green) building design and construction.

Texas Solar Energy Society ("TXSES")
TXSES Mission: To increase awareness of the potential of solar energy and other renewable energy applications and to promote the wise use of sustainable and non-polluting resources.

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Building and Construction Information

Sustainable Buildings Industry Council ("SBIC")
The SBIC Mission: To unite and inspire the building industry toward higher performance through education, outreach, advocacy, and the mutual exchange of ideas.

U.S. Building Council - "The Green Home Guide" ("USGBC")
The U.S. Green Building Council is a nonprofit composed of leaders from every sector of the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.

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Education

Many U.S. colleges and universities offer courses, Associate Degrees, and advanced degrees for solar energy and renewable energy technologies. The following list of institutes, colleges, and universities, derived from the US Department of Energy and other sources is not intended to be exhaustive.

Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina

Arizona State University, School of Sustainability. Tempe, Arizona

Boston University, Center for Environmental Studies, Boston, Massachusetts

Cedar Valley College, Lancaster, Texas
The Energy Efficient Green Building Institute at Cedar Valley College is in its first year of offering training and education in the green building field. Students new to the building sciences as well as students with experience in related fields receive training based on distance learning strategies, as well as other strategies, leading to a variety of certifications and two-year degrees. In addition to providing credit courses, the Energy Efficient Green Building Institute includes a variety of continuing education courses for professionals, such as training on the International Energy Conservation Code and CEU courses for raters.

Coming Soon: Eastfield College, Dallas County Community College District, Mesquite, Texas. Contact Eastfield College for more information.

Humboldt State University, Arcata, California

Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois

Oregon Renewable Energy Center, Oregon Institute of Technology, Klamath Falls, Oregon

San Juan College, Farmington, New Mexico, Renewable Energy Program Resources

Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Solar Institute, Tucson, Arizona

Solar Energy International ("SEI")
SEI is a USA non-profit organization whose mission is to help others use renewable energy and environmental building technologies through education. SEI teaches individuals from all walks of life how to design, install and maintain renewable energy systems, and how to design and build efficient, sustainable homes. SEI offers trainings online and in 22 locations around the world.

Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California

Coming Soon: Tarrant Community College – South Campus, Fort Worth, Texas. Contact Tarrant College for information.

Texas State Technical College

University of California, Energy Efficiency Center, Davis, California

University of California at Berkeley, Energy and Resources Group, Berkeley, California

University of Delaware, Institute of Energy Conversion, Newark, Delaware

University of Montana, Missoula, Montana

University of Wisconsin, Solar Energy Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin

Washington State University, Pullman, Washington

US Department of Energy, Detailed List of College and University Courses

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Employment - Jobs in Renewable Energy and Related Fields

American Solar Energy Society "Greenstart" Job Board

American Wind Energy Association

Bio-fuel Jobs

Environmental Career Center

Environmental Career Opportunities

Great Green Careers

Green Collar Vets - Environmental Jobs and Training for Transitioning Military Veterans

Green Dream Jobs

Greenjobs

Grist Green Jobs Board

Home Power Magazine Jobs Board

O*Jobs - Green Jobs by the US Department of Labor (nationwide)

Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association Job Board (New!)

Texas Workforce Commission Green Jobs Guidebook (comprehensive!)

Treehugger Jobs

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Financial & Tax Information

State of Texas Solar Property Tax Exemptions If you're using solar electricity, solar hot water, or wind power, take advantage of the State of Texas property tax exemptions available for solar and wind-powered energy devices. They may decrease the amount of property tax you're paying without reducing the valuation of your property.

Texas Property Tax Code Subtitle C. Taxable Property and Exemptions Chapter 11.

Taxable Property and Exemptions Subchapter B. Exemptions Sec. 11.27.

Solar and Wind-Powered Energy Devices.

Increased Property Valuation Resulting from Energy Savings - Study 1 (69k PDF)
The Appraisal Journal, October 1998.

According to this study, funded in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, residential real estate markets assign to energy-efficient homes an incremental value that reflects the discounted value of annual fuel savings. The capitalization rate used by homeowners was expected to be 4%-10%, reflecting the range of after-tax mortgage interest rates during the 1990s and resulting in an incremental home value of $10 to around $25 for every $1 reduction in annual fuel bills.

Electronically reprinted with permission from The Appraisal Journal (October 1998), © by the Appraisal Institute, Chicago, Illinois.

Increased Property Valuation Resulting from Energy Savings - Study 2 (66k PDF)
The Appraisal Journal, October 1999

In a follow-up to the 1998 study, funded in part by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this second report affirms that the results of these separate analyses were remarkably consistent, indicating that home value increases by about $20 for every $1 reduction in annual utility bills.

Electronically reprinted with permission from The Appraisal Journal (October 1999), © by the Appraisal Institute, Chicago, Illinois

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Frequently Asked Questions

Solar Frequently Asked Questions (US Department of Energy)
A database of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to the four solar technologies: Concentrating Solar Power; Photovoltaics; Solar Heating; and Solar Lighting. Each technology is broken down into different categories to make it easy to search.

Solar Frequently Asked Questions (PDF download, 30k)
A two-page list of questions commonly asked by attendees at various local events such as EarthDay, Live Green in Plano, Prairie Fest, Mayfest, and others.

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Legislation - Federal & State

State of Texas Legislation for Year 2009
A summary by the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association of the 2009 Texas Legislative Session.

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Publications

Home Power Magazine
For beginners to experts. Comprehensive technical coverage of solar, wind, and microhydro electricity, energy efficiency, solar hot water systems, space heating and cooling, energy-efficient building materials and home design, and clean transportation options. Most articles are written by the readers themselves.

Solar Today Magazine
Published by the American Solar Energy Society. In each issue you'll find: Case histories; "How-to" articles and tips offering advice on making sustainable energy and product choices; Coverage of new products and services; Energy-efficiency Q&A .. and much more.

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Purchase Incentives, Rebates & Tax Credits for Renewables and Efficiency Steps

Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency ("DSIRE")
A comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.

DSIRE for Texas
Comprehensive and very extensive list of Texas incentives for renewables and efficiency.

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency
Windows & doors, roofing, insulation, HVAC, water heaters, biomass stoves, geo-thermal heat pumps, solar energy systems (electric AND hot water), small wind energy systems, fuel cells, and cars.

Oncor Energy Efficiency Incentives
Incentive programs intended to stimulate investment in efficient technologies and make energy efficiency incentives available to all consumer classes in Oncor's service areas.

Oncor Solar PhotoVoltaic (PV) Program
Oncor's Solar PV Program is designed to help Oncor customers meet a portion of their electric energy needs with solar photovoltaic ("PV") systems.

Oncor's Solar Water Heating Program
Oncor will provide cash incentives for the purchase and installation of solar water heating (SWH) systems in qualifying homes.

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Reference Sites

Florida Solar Energy Center
THE definitive resource site for solar energy research and information. Too many topics available to list here!

Solar Cooking International (formerly "Solar Box Cookers International")
Solar cookers are an ideal addition to any kitchen wherever the sun shines many days of the year. Solar cooking and baking are easy. Solar cookers are safe around children and provide a great way to learn about and use solar energy. Solar cookers are clean, convenient, non-polluting and easy on the environment. Solar box cookers can be made from common household materials for as little as $5.00. Several different downloadable plans are provided for building your own solar cooker. Though generally not as efficient as commercial solar ovens (meaning it takes longer to cook food), home-built units are an excellent and inexpensive way to learn about solar cooking.

Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO)
The Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) has tips and tools for residential energy consumers, state and local government, business and industry, as well as resources for schools and teachers. The website has its own search engine and a new subscription service that allows anyone to sign up for news and updates.

The Infinite Power of Texas
The Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) created the Infinite Power of Texas Renewable Energy Educational Campaign to accelerate the acceptance of renewable energy resources in Texas. SECO's Innovative Energy Demonstration Program promotes the use of renewable energy and sustainable building practices through technology demonstration, hands-on instruction and renewable energy education. Renewable Energy Fact Sheets (free!), lesson plans for teachers, renewable energy events, renewable energy news, comprehensive lists of renewable energy links, energy efficiency .. and more!

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Solar Cooking

The Art of Solar Cooking
The art of cooking everyday food with the power of the sun.

Build a Solar Cooker
Plans for building a solar oven.

Cooking with the Sun
Solar cooking basics. Solar cooker construction ideas and plans.

Solar Cooking International (formerly "Solar Box Cookers International")
Solar cookers are an ideal addition to any kitchen wherever the sun shines many days of the year. Solar cooking and baking are easy. Solar cookers are safe around children and provide a great way to learn about and use solar energy. Solar cookers are clean, convenient, non-polluting and easy on the environment. Solar box cookers can be made from common household materials for as little as $5.00. Several different downloadable plans are provided for building your own solar cooker. Though generally not as efficient as commercial solar ovens (meaning it takes longer to cook food), home-built units are an excellent and inexpensive way to learn about solar cooking.

Solar Cooking Recipes
Recipes by others who want to share the good things they've discovered when solar cooking.

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Teacher Resources
Information and Lesson Plans for K-12 and College Instructors.

Green Kids USA
An excellent site for teachers, parents, and kids of all ages. Content includes videos, worksheets, lesson plans, resources, links, and more.

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Water Conservation & Rainwater Collection

Texas Rainwater Catchment Association ("TRCA")
Texas Rainwater Catchment Association (TRCA) was created to provide the citizens of Texas with credible information and resources on rainwater collection, to promote the advancement of rainwater conservation and to work with state, county and other local governmental units in promoting rainwater catchment.

Texas Water Development Board ("TWDB")
The Texas Water Development Board's mission is to provide leadership, planning, financial assistance, information, and education for the conservation and responsible development of water for Texas.

Texas Rainwater Resources Education - Texas A&M
Efficient water use is increasingly important to Texas. With the state’s growing population and limited supply of both groundwater and surface water, Texans must use water wisely. Rainwater harvesting is an innovative approach anyone can use.

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