This document introduces the Energy Department's new Solarize Guidebook: A Community Guide to Collective Purchasing of Residential PV Systems. The guide is designed for 'green' consumers, utilities, local governments, and community groups who want to replicate the success of the Solarize Portland model, overcome barriers to implementation, and permanently transform the market for solar energy in their communities.

This document introduces the Energy Department's new Guide to Community Shared Solar: Utility, Private, and Nonprofit Project Development. The guide is designed to help those who want to develop community shared solar projects - from community organizers and advocates to utility managers and government officials - navigate the process of developing shared systems, from early planning to implementation.

Survey results cover challenges to solar energy development, local initiatives, permitting and interconnection, planning, and financing options.

The city of Berkeley provies a complete list of requirements for residential solar PV installations.

Using the abundant energy from the sun, solar photovoltaic (PV) technology converts sunlight directly into electricity. Increasing the amount of clean renewable energy is a critical component of the Berkeley community efforts to reduce green house gases.

The City of Berkeley provides a complete list of requirements in this checklist for solar thermal hot water installations.

Solar thermal hot water is the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly solar energy technology. Solar thermal can supply most of your hot water needs and can even be used to heat your home. Increasing the amount of clean renewable energy is a critical component of the Berkeley community efforts to reduce green house gases.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) is a nonprofit organization established in 1984 by a bipartisan, bicameral group of members of Congress. The institutes charter is to disseminate timely information and develop innovative policy solutions that set the United States on a cleaner and more secure and sustainable energy path. This fact sheet reports the major findings from job-creation studies in the renewable, fossil, and nuclear energy industries.

Four Oregon organizations have teamed up to help Oregon homeowners learn about and install solar energy systems. This is a good example of a marketing/educational product that communities could create.

Solar Schoolhouse Education supplement for the Sacramento Bee to introduce solar to elementary school children and introduce the design and AD contest for local students.