A Directory of Solar Consumer Education Resources

Energy Programs and Incentives

Materials educating consumers about solar and other energy programs and incentives they may be eligible for.

Best Practices for Hiring a Contractor
A Word to the Wise: Your Guide to Home Energy Upgrades with the Inflation Reduction Act (NC Clean Energy Technology Center)

This resource offers best practices for hiring a solar/energy efficiency contractor; gives an overview of available incentives; and provides education on how to hire contractors, including questions to ask and what to look for. It also gives clear, consolidated information on incentives available through the Inflation Reduction Act.

Example Utility Website on Renewable EV Upgrades
Renewables and EVs (Duke Energy)

This website shows renewable and electric vehicle-related upgrade options available to Duke Progress customers. It provides insight as to what's available directly from the utility.

Example Website with Solar Incentives, Financing, & Contractor Database
Residential Solar Incentives & Financing (State of New York)

This resources offers information for installing solar on homes in New York. It has a link to a trusted contractor database as well.

Sample Social Media Content for Home Energy Rebates
NY Home Rebates Digital Toolkit (US DOE)

New York stakeholders and other states can find sample social media content to help spread the word about their state's Home Energy Rebates program on this website. Other states can use these posts as examples as they create their own social media posts about rebates and other programs for consumers.

Playlist of "101" Clean Energy Videos
Clean Energy 101 Videos (US DOE)

This is a playlist of the YouTube videos that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) created on clean energy topics, giving the "101" version for consumers. Video topics include Home Energy Rebates, Rooftop Solar, EVs, Insulation and Weatherization, Heat Pumps, and Induction Stoves and Ovens. The videos cover lots of topics consumers should know about from an appropriate high-level overview.

Example Website on IRA, Rebates, & Tax Credits
IRA Savings and Incentives webpage for Homeowners (NYSERDA)

This webpage provides homeowners in New York with a high-level overview of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the rebates and clean energy tax credits they may qualify for. The overview of what's available may be helpful to states as they create their own IRA incentives webpages, and the link at the bottom for consumers to get a free assessment is also practical and helpful.

Example Website Organizing IRA resources for Consumers
The Inflation Reduction Act: what you need to know (Clean Energy Resource Teams (Minnesota))

This resource includes information for residents and businesses about electric vehicles, energy audits, tax credits, rebates, heat pumps, solar, etc. Sub-headers include many additional links. This website is a great example of a state agency organizing almost all of their resources on one page.

Video on IRA Incentives for Consumers
Household Scenarios | Inflation Reduction Act (Clean Energy Resource Teams (Minnesota))

A website showcases video to learn how different household sizes and incomes could take advantage of the clean energy incentives within the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). There is value in highlighting clearly what IRA resources people have access to based on income. There are more videos in this series as well.

Video on Tax Credits & Rebates For Consumers
Tax Credits & Rebates for Residents | Inflation Reduction Act (Clean Energy Resource Teams (Minnesota))

This website links to a video to learn how the Inflation Reduction Act can save households money through tax credits and rebates.

Written Guide on IRA Incentives for Consumers
Guide to the Inflation Reduction Act (Illinois Citizen's Utility Board)

This guide offers consumers information about the many opportunities available to them via the Inflation Reduction Act, including solar tax credits.

Attractive PDF Handbook on IRA Incentives for Consumers
Mainers’ Guide to Climate Incentives (Maine Governor's Energy Office)

This attractive PDF handbook explains the different ways Mainers can save on energy costs using Inflation Reduction Act incentives.

Blog Post on Calculating Solar Payback Period & Savings
How Much Money Can I Save With Solar Energy? (US DOE)

This blog post walks consumers through calculating the solar payback period (how long it takes for a rooftop solar system to pay for itself), and what factors to consider when calculating the amount of potential savings.

Solar Consumer Protection

Materials regarding either (1) accountability for bad actors, or (2) education for consumers to know their rights and avoid scams.

A comprehensive solar consumer protection guidance document
California Solar Consumer Protection Guide (CA PUC)

This guide provides an overview of the process of going solar, as well as raising warning signs and false claims to look out for. It is a good tool that could be adopted by other states. The guide's authors also provide the guide in multiple languages, which we recommend states do as well.

A great consumer protection landing page with important resources for customers
New Mexico solar consumer protection resources for customers (New Mexico Community Solar Program)

This website's resources include a program flyer, disclosure form, and disclosure form appendix for solar customers. States could replicate these resources and edit them to fit their state program/s.

Example list of trusted contractors
Advancing Consumer Protection within North Carolina’s Solar Industry (North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association)

This resource offers recommendations for potential solar customers to learn about solar and a list of trusted contractors.

Primer for states considering solar consumer protections
Solar Consumer Protection (NREL)

This website offers information on the consumer protection landscape, including safety standards.

Directory for customer questions and complaints
South Carolina consumer protection resources (South Carolina Energy Office)

This straightforward list offers consumers guidance on who to contact at which state entity if the consumer is running into consumer protection issues. Each state would benefit from having a straightforward resource like this.

Tips for customers to avoid scams
Consumer Solar Awareness (Treasury)

The U.S. Department of the Treasury offers this website for consumers with information on how to file a complaint about a scam, getting started with solar, comparing solar options, and how to avoid solar scams.

Common rooftop solar abuses with recommended policy fixes
Issue Brief/Recommendations (National Consumer Law Center)

In light of a recent increase in consumer complaints about rooftop solar sales and installations, this issue brief lists some of the reported problems and consumer risks of rooftop solar agreements and provides policy recommendations to address these concerns for all consumers.

Energy Systems Education

Materials to provide residents with basic information about clean energy and clean energy systems, giving consumers with a “101” perspective on these topics.

Ready to Share "101" Video on the Power System
How the Lights Stay On (PaulosAnalysis Consulting)

This 5-minute video describes how the power system functions as a network and how variable wind and solar generation are incorporated while maintaining reliability. While this video is about 8 years old at the time of this writing, it is broadly applicable to a general audience and can be shared widely with consumers without extra legwork/editing.

Webinar Series on "101" Energy Topics for Consumers States Can Use as an Example
IPA Public Webinar Series (Illinois Power Agency)

The Illinois Power Agency produced a webinar series covering many high level topics related to the energy sector. These include: how the grid works; net metering; green hydrogen; how energy impacts climate and health; the role of RTOs; and more. These webinars may be helpful for states looking to create their own similar content for residents.

Webinar Series on Vermont's Renewable Electricity Programs States Can Use as an Example
Vermont Public Webinar Series (Vermont Department of Public Service)

The Vermont Department of Public Service created a webinar series with related slides & one-pagers on Vermont’s renewable electricity policies and programs. These linked resources can be used as a framework for states to create similar resources with information about their own state's policies and programs for consumers.

Slides & One-Pagers on Vermont's Renewable Electricity Programs States Can Use as an Example
VT Informational One-Pagers (Vermont Department of Public Service)

The Vermont Department of Public Service developed three informational one-pagers (Where Vermont gets electricity; Current policies and programs; and Tradeoffs between different sources of energy), largely based off their webinar series (also linked in this directory). These focused on where Vermont gets electricity, current policies and programs, and tradeoffs between different sources of energy.

Tool Visualizing Clean Energy Technology Adoption Across Time and Geography in Vermont
Vermont Energy Dashboard (Energy Action Network)

This tool tracks Vermont's progress toward adoption of key clean energy technologies that were recommended in Vermont’s 2021 Climate Action Plan, including transportation, electric vehicles, cold-climate heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and home weatherization.

Website Tracking Renewable Energy Development Across Illinois States Can Use as an Example
IPA Clean Energy Dashboard (Illinois Power Agency)

This data website for Illinois residents, businesses, and other stakeholders is designed to track the progress and impact of renewable energy development across the state. The site allows visitors to view key trends in renewable energy generation and geographical energy capacities.

Consumer Energy Guides

Guides to help consumers understand things like their utility bills, how to shop for and compare solar, community solar options, storage, etc.

List of Solar Scam One-Liners for Consumers
Solar scams and misconceptions (South Carolina Energy Office)

This resource offers straightforward information about common scams/issues that come up related to installing solar. This resource is clear and accessible, and helps consumers know what issues to look out for. Please note that this resource is out of date at the time of this writing with regard to tax credits.

Engaging Website on Solar & Workforce Opportunities for Consumers
Center for Energy Education - website (Center for Energy Education)

This website offers a engaging, consumer-friendly platform that educates consumers about solar and workforce development opportunities that can come with it.

List of Solar & Workforce Resources for Consumers
Center for Energy Education - educational programs (Center for Energy Education)

This resource offers clear information on various types of workshops and programming run by the Center for Energy Education. It's a great resource to be able to point to for consumers who want to learn more about solar and job opportunities.

Tips on Understanding Utility Bills & Saving Money
Home Energy Guides & Tips (Clean Energy Resource Teams (Minnesota))

This resource helps consumers with understanding their utility bill, understanding what to do in case of shutoff, understanding steps to save money, how to afford repair work etc. It offers multi-language guides organized by type of housing and space for adding information regarding a consumer's particular utilities, etc.

Guide to Shopping for Solar, Storage, Heat Pumps, & EVs
Energysage (Energysage)

This website offers in-depth explanations for how to shop for and compare solar, community solar, storage, heat pumps, and electric vehicles. It provides several articles aimed at helping consumers make smart choices when switching to renewable energy/energy efficiency options for their homes and businesses.

Interactive Webpage on How to Read Your Utility Bill
How to Read Your Electric Bill (DC Office of the People's Counsel)

This webpage allows users to understand what information is included in different sections of their utility bill. This is a good basic introduction to how to read your utility bill.

Miscellaneous Guides

Comprehensive handbooks for customers interested in a range of clean energy upgrades
Illinois Citizen's Utility Board Clean Energy Factsheets (Illinois Citizen's Utility Board)

The Illinois Citizen's Utility Board offers a number of handbooks for consumers that are accessible, yet in-depth explainers. These resources also back up statements with statistics and links to relevant information. We especially recommend the following handbooks: EV Buyer's Handbook and Renter's Utility Guide. We also recommend taking special note of the guide aimed at renters. Renters often believe that they can't access certain programs or technologies, and it's important to let them know that there are several ways that they can save money through energy efficiency and clean energy. These guides tend to be a little longer, so they are better for a consumer who is perhaps already interested in certain products or programs.

Customer calculator for EV savings
CUB EV-Calculator (Illinois Citizen's Utility Board)

This simple webpage estimates how much users will save on gas with an electric vehicle (EV) based on how much they drive and the efficiency of their current vehicle. This is a great gateway for consumers to see how much an EV might save them. This could be adjusted for other clean technologies, like heat pumps or solar. It will be important for states to convey to consumers that the state cannot guarantee these savings, as they are estimates.