Watch Michael Vickerman,
Executive Director,
RENEW Wisconsin
"Revitalizing America Through Renewable Energy"
Madison Area Technical College, February, 2009
American Solar Energy Society
http://www.ases.org/
This nonprofit organization is on a mission to increase the use of solar energy, energy efficiency and other sustainable technologies in the United States. Can you guess when it was founded? Try 1954. They are serious, they are knowledgable, and they are organized. From the site: ASES programs will help you: learn about renewable energy, reduce your energy costs, get involved, get started with solar, get answers, and stay informed."
FindSolar.com Solar Estimator
http://www.findsolar.com/
Thinking about solar? Here you can estimate the price, savings and system size for your site with the easy-to-use "My Solar Estimator" tool.
PV Watts
http://pvwattsbeta.nrel.gov/
Here is a more advanced solar electric calculator for grid-tied systems that allows the user to specify system parameters.
NREL is the only federal laboratory dedicated to the research, development, commercialization and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
How Stuff Works: How Solar Cells Work
http://www.howstuffworks.com/solar-cell.htm
This site requires a lot of clicking through pages, but it's worth it.
Clear explanation of how those photovoltaic cells work, and how they
can be used to power a calculator, or a house.