A Directory of Solar Consumer Education Resources
Most state energy agencies are working to educate consumers about residential solar power opportunities. CESA has compiled and organized this directory of resources to help consumer education efforts around solar. The directory lists and describes federal and state resources for educating consumers about solar opportunities and considerations.
CESA first published the directory in October 2024. If you know of additional resources that should be included in the directory or corrections to any of the entries, please email CESA Project Director Anna Ziai at [email protected].
Solar Installation Information
General consumer education guides for homeowners interested in installing solar.
Homeowner's Guide to Going Solar (US Department of Energy)
This resource provides a comprehensive FAQ on how and why to go solar. States could use the same FAQ format and specify the answers to that state's program/s.
Video: Rooftop Solar Financing 101 (GW Solar Institute and CESA)
The is a 7-minute introductory video for consumers. It focuses specifically on rooftop solar installations and covers leases, loans, and PPAs. Although it is 5 years old, the content is still relevant. This is an easy-to-follow accessible video for consumers who want to understand the differences between the three main financing options. A state energy agency may choose to promote this resource as part of general solar education for participants in market-rate programs outside of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Solar for All program. This resources is likely most relevant in places where leases, loans, and PPAs are all options.
Video: Choosing a Solar Installer (GW Solar Institute and CESA)
The is a 4+-minute introductory video for consumers. It gives useful consumer protection advice for consumers considering installing a rooftop solar system. Although it is 5 years old, the content is still relevant. This is an easy-to-follow accessible video for consumers who want to understand the differences between the three main financing options. It offers questions to ask and things to consider before signing on the dotted line. A state energy agency might want to promote it as part of general solar education for participants in market-rate programs outside of Solar for All, but might also have some relevance to SFA rooftop programs. It will be most useful in states that offers leases and PPAs.
Go Solar Guide (Solar United Neighbors)
Overview of what solar is and how to go solar. It’s a broad toolkit that could apply to consumers across the country, but states could use the same format for their state.
Consumer Guide to Home Solar (Solar Energy Industries Association)
This resource provides clear information about how solar works and what homeowners should do / know before they go solar. It provides a relatively comprehensive list of questions a consumer should ask before entering into any solar agreements.
Consumer Education (NABCEP)
This resources is a compilation of where consumers can go to learn more about solar, providing links to trusted resources on solar. While this may not be the best place to start for someone brand new to solar (may be overwhelming at first), it is a great comprehensive list.
Solar.SC.gov (South Carolina Energy Office)
This website offers all sorts of consumer-facing information about solar, including information on consumer protections, selecting a contractor, selecting a system, and more. The website is a solid, state-run, one-stop shop for trustworthy information on these topics.
How to Select a Solar Installer (South Carolina Energy Office)
This website helps consumers learn about what questions to ask of their solar installer, and what sorts of things they should be looking for in their bid. It also provides information about licensing.
Consumer Guide to Solar Electricity for the North Carolina Homeowner (North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association)
This consumer-facing guide about installing solar is a good example of including a comprehensive presentation of all the information needed when considering installing solar, all in one spot.
Home Solar FAQs (NC Electric Cooperatives)
This resource is an FAQ about what to expect when installing solar. It is helpful for for co-op customers who aren't served by the main utility.
Minnesotans can tap into solar energy (MN Commerce Department)
This website offers information about going solar in Minnesota, with information on community solar & a green pricing program for those who cannot install solar. It provides guidance from a state agency regarding what to consider when installing solar.
Simple Steps to Solar (Clean Energy Resource Teams - CERTs)
This resource provides steps to installing solar and links to resources. It's a simple, clear, "how to get solar" guide.
Introduction to Rooftop Solar Fact Sheet (Illinois Citizen's Utility Board)
This resource is a factsheet with accessible, soup-to-nuts information about installing solar panels in Illinois. The fact sheet includes a robust FAQ and links to other resources, and a section informing readers where they can direct complaints. The fact sheet is simple and answers common questions about solar installation in an accessible manner. It also includes links to other helpful resources.