Solar Energy Use Resources

The U.S. Department of Energy established the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency in 1995. The database is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at North Carolina State University, but has recently lost its federal support. The website supplies the most comprehensive information sources for renewable and efficiency incentives, enabling users to pinpoint opportunities in a variety of formats including dynamic maps, charts, and tables. The database includes a search tool that filters incentives and policies by type, state, technology, implementing sector, and eligible sector.

This list of publications on renewable energy includes renewable portfolio goals, policy toolkits, and legislative updates.

This NCSL webpage lists Renewable Portfolio goals by state, including detailed requirements, and enabling statutes.

This article in FHWA's quarterly magazine on federal highway policies, programs, and research and technology discusses how state transportation agencies are exploring solar power technologies to reduce electricity costs and promote energy security,

This webpage describes recent developments related to transportation-related sustainability, including solar energy projects.

This website maintained by the FHWA Office of Planning, Environment & Realty provides a snapshot of existing highway renewable energy projects around the country. It provides links to peer exchange materials, studies and project reports, and research reports.

This article describes a 16-mile test bed solar highway pilot being developed on I-85 in southwest Georgia. The project, supported by The Ray C. Anderson Foundation and Georgia DOT, is testing a variety of solar installations and other highway safety equipment.

Through the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Solar Energy Development in Six Southwestern States (Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah) released on July 27, 2012, and the Approved Resource Management Plan Amendments/Record of Decision signed on October 12, 2012, the Bureau of Land Management established a comprehensive Solar Energy Program that allows the permitting of future solar energy development projects on public lands to proceed in a more efficient, standardized, and environmentally responsible manner. This website provides specific information about implementing the Solar Energy Program to aid regulatory agency staff, solar developers, and other interested stakeholders.

This quick guide is intended to provide FHWA Division Offices and states DOTs with relevant FHWA requirements regarding renewable energy projects in highway rights-of-way.

This article describes a 16-mile test bed solar highway pilot being developed on I-85 in southwest Georgia. The project, supported by The Ray C. Anderson Foundation and Georgia DOT, is testing a variety of solar installations and other highway safety equipment.

This brief article provides information on a road in France "paved" with flat solar panels covered in a silicon-based resin allowing them to withstand the weight of passing vehicles.

This guidebook is intended to provide an overview for state DOTs of the process for developing solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in the highway right-of-way. The goal is to help others navigate the process towards a successful solar PV installation by providing step-by-step information, case studies and additional resources. The information presented in this guidebook is based on the experience of the Oregon Solar Highway Program as well as industry best practices.

This paper presents in detail the results of the first phase of a Florida Department of Transportation funded research project on the alternative uses of highway rights-of-way to generate revenue and documents the state-of-the-practice of the subject matter in the United States. The research captures solar power, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, LED lighting, wind energy, biomass conversion, and carbon sequestration projects. The document may be downloaded for a fee.

This website provides information on projects initiated under MassDOT's Solar Energy P3 program.

This research reviewed the state-of-the-practice of value extraction projects and initiatives in highway rights-of-way and developed decision-making tools to support Florida DOT in implementing three high-priority value extraction projects: (i) solar photovoltaic, (ii) LED lighting, and (iii) haying or planting in highway rights-of-way. The research team analyzed the legal framework affecting implementation of value extraction projects in highway rights-of-way, conducted case studies to collect additional data, and developed a tool for feasibility screening of these value extraction projects.

This article reviews the first solar panel project on a major U.S. highway at the interchange of I-5 and I-205 near Tualatin, Oregon.