Q:Is there anyone I can call to ask specific questions about the solar projects I am considering?
A:Yes, there are many organizations staffed with professionals
eager to answer your environmental questions, including:
• Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse
(EREC): 1-800-DOE-EREC
• Florida Energy Office (FEO): (904) 488-2475
• Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) Public Information
Office: (407) 638-1000
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL):
(303) 275-4285
Q:Are there any organizations or corporations that could provide
information on office recycling or energy conservation?
A:Yes, your local recycling coordinator can tell you all you need to know about office recycling and the area’s recycling facilities
and collection sites. Your local electric utility can perform an energy audit, often for no charge, and give advice on ways to improve your
building’s efficiency. Other sources include:
• Business and Industry Recycling Program
(407) 678-4200
• Conservatree Recycled Products
10 Lombard Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 433-1000
• Energy Probe
100 College Street
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L5
• EPA Green Lights Program
Global Change Division ANR-445
401 M Street S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
(202) 479-6936
Q:If I recognize an area in my business’ operations that could
be made more efficient, where can I find information on proper equipment
or help in making decisions?
A:Some area groups, staffed with professionals trained in specific
areas of concern, include local utilities, trade associations and consultants.
Others to contact include:
• Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) Building Design Assistance Center: (407) 638-1000
• Florida Energy Office (FEO): (904) 488-2475
• Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC)
Phone : 1-800-DOE-EREC
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Phone : (303) 275-4285
Q:Are there any industry-specific publications I could use as
guides toward solar decisions?
A:Yes, the best single source of information is the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association or the National SEIA office
in Washington D.C.
Q:Does anyone offer grants to aid in the cost of energy conservation
projects and solar applications for my business?
Yes, NREL’s Industrial Process Heat program provides cost sharing (up to 25%) of selected commercial and/or industrial water heating
projects to assist in commercializing the technology. Additionally, national (NREL and USDOE) and state (FEO) energy offices and/or departments
routinely solicit Request for Proposals for solar demonstration projects for
commercial facilities. Many electric utilities offer incentives on such energy-saving items as solar water heaters, fluorescent lights, reflectors, etc.
The EPA offers grants through its Pollution Prevention By and For Small
Business Program (1-800-334-CHMR, Center for Hazardous Materials Research).
Non-profit public schools and hospitals are eligible for the Department of
Energy Institutional Conservation Program (ICP) designed to provide 50 percent
of the implementation costs of various cost effective energy conservation
measures including solar energy systems. Contact the Florida Energy Office
at (904) 488-2475.
Florida’s Small Business Development Centers has a low interest loan program designed to encourage and motivate small business owners to
undertake projects which will result in reducing their energy consumption.
Loans from $1,500 to $50,000 are available. Loan payment is based on 75
percent of the projected monthly savings providing business with positive
cash flow when implementing energy conservation or alternative energy projects.
Energy specialists will assist you with the energy portion of your loan application.
FSBDC business analysts assist you with the financial portion of your loan application.
Q:Can I log on to any data bases containing solar information?
A:Yes. Many groups are now utilizing computers in an effort to distribute
environmental information quickly. The best starting point is EREN DOE's on-line web site
• Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC): (800) 273-2955
EREC provides toll-free access to a computer bulletin board system
(modem dial: 1-800-273-2955; 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, parity none,
terminal emulation VT-100 (ANSI) as well as Internet access
(energyinfor@delphi.com)).
EREC provides information on solar home designs,
energy-efficient appliances,
biofuels production and much more.
• Energy Ideas Clearinghouse Bulletin Board Service (EICBBS)
This BBS, managed by the Washington State Energy Office, offers a channel
for sharing information on commercial and industrial energy efficiency, renewable
energy, and environmental issues. EICBBS users can discuss problems and solutions
with other professionals in more than 50 discussion groups. These discussion groups,
called forums, cover such topics as air-conditioning, lighting, motors, building
codes and renewable energy. In addition, the EICBBS offers electronic mail
and facsimile services, software and files for downloading and a training calendar.
Users share messages with those on the Internet and the Michigan Energy and Regulatory
Matters BBS. You can access the EICBBS by modem or on the Internet 24 hours a day.
To log onto the BBS dial (206) 586-6854 or eicbbs.wseo.wa.gov for the Internet.
For additional information, call (206) 956-2237 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Pacific time.
