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.

Interactive map detailing available incentives by zip code
Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) (North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center)

DSIRE offers a comprehensive list of renewable energy incentives across the US, therefore widely applicable and usable. Consumers can search by state through the interactive map or enter a zip code to see all relevant incentives applicable to them.

Blog post on calculating solar payback period & savings
How Much Money Can I Save With Solar Energy? (U.S. Department of Energy)

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.

Webinar and slides detailing the impact of HR-1 on IRA tax credits
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act—What it Means for Clean Energy, Tax Credits, and the Road Ahead (Illinois Power Agency (IPA)) 

Part of IPA's Power Hour webinar series, this webinar details the impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1) on IRA tax credits and the clean energy landscape. This webinar can help customers interested in solar understand their financing options with limited federal incentives and the changes to the broader clean energy industry.

Example website with solar incentives, financing, & contractor database
Paying For Solar (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.

Information on solar energy and incentives
RIOER's Solar page (Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources)

This page provides information on 14 different types of solar incentives. While some of the information is RI-specific, some is broadly applicable. The page can serve as a good guide for other states looking to provide similar information.

Playlist of "101" clean energy videos
Clean Energy 101 Videos (U.S. Department of Energy)

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.

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. It contains out of date information regarding Inflation Reduction Act incentives, but the handbook contains good information on other incentives for Maine residents.

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. The website is designed for Duke Energy customers, so users must select a state within their service area to view the resources.

Best practices for hiring a contractor
A Word to the Wise: Your Guide to Home Energy Upgrades with the Inflation Reduction Act (North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center)

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

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 (California Public Utilities Commission)

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.

Primer for states considering solar consumer protections
Solar Consumer Protection (National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR))

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

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.

Advisory for consumers on avoiding scams
Consumer Advisory - Solar Energy Scams are Against the Law (Treasury)

The U.S. Department of the Treasury offers this advisory 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.

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 contains out of date information with regard to tax credits.

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.

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.

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 from 2015, 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 (IPA))

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.

Introduction to community solar and how to get involved
How Community Solar Works (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA))

This page provides an introduction to community solar and links to further resources for getting involved with a project. There is also a short video providing that information.

Introductory information on RECs
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) (Duke Energy)

This resource provides introductory information on renewable energy certificates along with a video and FAQs. It describes what they are and the purpose they serve in the renewable market.

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 (IPA))

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.

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 (CERTs))

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.

Directory of Energy Bill Literacy Resources
Energy Bill Literacy Resources (CESA)

This directory of resources compiles consumer education efforts around energy bill literacy. The directory lists and describes the pros and cons of resources for educating consumers about their bills. It contains both general resources ready for immediate distribution and resources are helpful explainers but would need to be modified by an energy agency to conform with the energy bill format in a specific location.

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.