Other Calculators and Tools:

Clean Power Estimator -

Clean Power Estimator^TM is an economic evaluation software program the California Energy Commission is licensing for use from Clean Power Research. The program provides California residential and commercial electric customers a personalized estimate of the costs and benefits of investing in a photovoltaic (PV) solar or small wind electric generation system.

The program takes into consideration customer-specific information in order to provide the best estimate of a given system's costs and benefits. This information includes the estimated cost of the particular system under consideration, the customer's location, electric rate schedules, and other customer information.

List of Decision-Making Tools from the U.S. Department of Energy
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/decision_tools.html

FindSolar.Com Solar Estimator - The Solar Estimator is meant only to give you an idea of price, savings and system size.
http://www.findsolar.com/

The CECPV Calculator is a detailed hourly calculation tool based on the 5-parameter model developed by Dr. Beckman's group at the University of Wisconsin, incorporating detailed inverter performance modeling and uses the weather data from the 16 climate zones in California

Here are some decision-making tools to aid you in the process of learning about and using energy-efficient and solar electric technologies and products. Your home's energy efficiency is very important; because energy efficiency reduces the costs of energy use, it should be taken into consideration as you decide on the best solar electric power system for your needs. In fact, we recommend making your house as energy efficient as possible before considering a photovoltaic or PV system, because then you might not need such a large system, especially for heating and cooling.

Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE)
DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, and selected federal incentives that promote renewable energy.

Economics of Solar Pool Heaters
Here are some resources on installing a solar pool-heating system, including financing and incentives, solar resources, orientation of the pool and collector, and state and community codes.

Energy Savers: Tips on Saving Energy and Money at Home
This online guide can help you make your home more energy efficient.

Energy Star® Home Improvement Toolbox
These tools can help you save money and energy when remodeling, repairing, or improving your home. Energy Star® Products
Here's a list of appliances, electronics, and building products that meet Energy Star's rigorous energy efficiency requirements.

FindSolar.com Solar Estimator
Estimate the price, savings, and system size of solar energy systems to produce electricity, heat your water, or heat your spa or pool. From the American Solar Energy Society, the Solar Electric Power Association, Energy Matters LLC, and the U.S. Department of Energy

Home Energy Saver
To use this online do-it-yourself home energy audit tool, all you need is your zip code. Based on your zip code, the tool can tell you how you can make your home more energy efficient.

NASA's Surface Meteorology and Solar Energy Data
This is a renewable energy resource web site sponsored by NASA's Earth Science Enterprise Program that contains over 200 satellite-derived meteorological and solar energy parameters, monthly averaged from 10 years of data, and data tables for a particular location.

RETScreen Renewable Energy Project Analysis Software
This free software can be used worldwide to evaluate energy production, life-cycle costs, and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions for various types of renewable energy technologies.