Description

The North Carolina Solar Center (NCSC), located in the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University, develops programs that encourage residents throughout the state to use solar energy. Created in 1988, the North Carolina Solar Center serves as a clearinghouse for solar and other renewable energy programs, information, research, technical assistance, and training for the citizens of North Carolina and beyond. Through its programs and services, the Solar Center seeks to stabilize energy costs for consumers, stimulate local economies, reduce dependence on foreign fuels, and mitigate the environmental impacts associated with fossil fuels. By capitalizing on its close ties with the state government of North Carolina, North Carolina State University, the renewable energy industry, and various non-profit organizations, the Solar Center has developed into one of the premier renewable energy centers in the United States.

The following NC Solar Center programs highlight our participation in the Solar and Green Building arenas but we also have programs in Energy Policy, Wind, Biomass, Alternative Fuel Vehicles, Combined Heat and Power, and Industry Efficiency.

Program Highlights

The NC HealthyBuilt Homes program has been launched in North Carolina with a focus on providing support for small to medium size homebuilders that may not have the resources to compete in the rapidly emerging field of green building. The program is designed with two tiers:

1. A statewide umbrella organization that administers the overall program, sets statewide guidelines, provides technical support, and coordinates training, marketing and certification;

2. Local partnerships with organizations such as home builder associations that administer and promote the program in their community, tailoring it to local conditions and code requirements.

NC HealthyBuilt Homes is a statewide collaboration between the NC Solar Center, the State Energy Office, NC Department of Administration and local communities. In addition, HealthyBuilt Homes recognizes and gives credit for the following programs:

Energy Star

Environments for Living

System Vision

North Carolina Green Building Technology Database

The NC Solar Center administers the North Carolina Green Building Technology Database. The purpose of this database is to help individuals find projects in the State of North Carolina that have implemented specific green building techniques, strategies, or technologies.

This searchable database is a collection of case studies, but it is organized in such a way that you can identify projects by any one of about 140 techniques, strategies, and technologies related to green building. You can also search and identify projects by location, building type, or site condition.

Million Solar Roofs Initiative

The NC Solar Center is the coordinator for the
North Carolina Million Solar Roofs Initiative partnership. Five community partnerships have been formed across the state: Asheville and surrounding counties, the Town of Chapel Hill , the city and county of Durham , Guilford County and Watauga County . The Solar Center is recruiting additional communities to join the program

Each MSRI partnership consists of a wide variety of local stakeholders that may include architects, solar installers, builders, local government representatives, educators, solar home owners, and interested citizens. Each group develops and executes a plan to promote the adoption of solar products and services in their community. Strategies include increasing demand through public education, providing training to architects, builders, installers and inspectors, reducing barriers at state and local levels, and making it easier for consumers to purchase, install and service quality solar equipment.

National Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE)

In late 1995, the U.S. Department of Energy initiated
a new program, entitled the National
Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) to survey each of the 50 states to identify financial or regulatory policies designed to encourage the use of renewable energy.  The NCSC has been selected as the principal subcontractor to collect and prepare this information, which will be entered into a database and made available over the Internet. 

DSIRE is a comprehensive, user-friendly and free source of information on state, local, utility and selected federal incentives that promote renewable energy. With a single click of the mouse, DSIRE provides you with a list of renewable energy incentives available in any U.S. state you choose. The incentives are divided into three categories:

Financial Incentives including tax credits, deductions and exemptions; grants, loans, rebates, etc.

Outreach and Voluntary Programs including green power programs, outreach programs, renewable energy system installer certification, etc.

Rules, Regulations & Policies including net metering, public benefits funds, renewables portfolio standards, fuel mix generation disclosure, solar access laws, solar contractor licensing, green power purchases, etc.

DSIRE also offers color-coded summary maps that provide a geographical view of the availability of a specific incentive across the United States . In addition, an FAQ section, a glossary, a search function, and a list of relevant links are available.

The Solar House at North Carolina State University

Dedicated and opened to the public in 1981, the Solar House at North Carolina State University is one of the most visible and visited solar buildings in the United States . Over the last two decades, more than 250,000 people from around the world have toured the facility.

First and foremost, the Solar House is a resource to help meet your solar energy needs. Since the NC Solar Center was founded in 1988, the Solar House has served as its educational and demonstration showcase for solar and energy-efficient technologies. Specialists and graduate students are available to answer visitors’ questions and help them get the information they need. A reference library and media center, the latter including more than 100 videotapes available for viewing or loan, are provided for public use. A multi-media station provides access to renewable energy Internet sites, a CD-ROM encyclopedia, and a variety of computer programs.

Beyond the educational value of the Solar House, the building, together with an adjacent research annex, is a living laboratory for solar research. Numerous graduate student theses and dissertations have focused on the House. By monitoring, metering and compiling data, we have determined how well the Solar House works, under what weather conditions, and what it costs to operate. The total heating bill per winter for the Solar House averages less than $70.

In addition to viewing the Solar House through our web site, we hope you have the opportunity to visit us in person. We appreciate your interest and support of solar energy!

North Carolina Daylighting Consortium

The purpose of the North Carolina Daylighting Consortium (NCDLC) is to improve the quality of life of and reduce economic and environmental costs for the citizens of North Carolina through the use of natural light in buildings.

The NC Solar Center is acting as coordinator for this new group of design professionals that is enabling the use of daylighting in buildings through identifying best practices, conducting research projects, assisting in developing government policy, promoting education and training, and conducting case studies.

Design Reviews

Commercial & Institutional

The NC Solar Center provides commercial/institutional design review services for contractors, architects, engineers, owners and others involved in the design of commercial and institutional building.

Residential

Directory of Renewable Energy Professionals

The Directory of Renewable Energy Professionals is one of the ways in which the North Carolina Solar Center promotes the adoption of renewable energy and supports the progressive companies that have made a commitment to sustainability and to serving the State of North Carolina .

This directory provides an easy-to-use tool for locating companies that provide renewable energy products and services to North Carolina citizens and organizations. It includes not only solar energy, but also wind, geothermal, energy efficiency and other technologies that reduce pollution and dependence on unsustainable energy sources. The companies represented include product manufacturers, designers, consultants and building trades.

Workshops & Events

The North Carolina Solar Center hosts and helps organize events related to renewable energy and green buildings in various locations around the state. The general public is welcome to attend these functions, many of which are free of charge.

For a complete listing and description of upcoming events, see the Solar Center ’s calendar of events.

Publications

The NCSC has developed numerous publications on a variety of topics, including Solar Homes for North Carolina II, Passive & Active Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems, Siting of Active Solar Collectors, General Daylighting / Lighting, Energy Efficiency, Micro-Hydro, Passive Solar, Photovoltaics, Wind Energy, Heating Your Swimming Pool with Solar Energy and Do-It-Yourself Solar Energy Guides. Please visit our Publications site for a complete list.

Vital Statistics

Program Management/Partnerships: The North Carolina Solar Center is sponsored by the State Energy Office of the N.C. Department of Administration and the U.S. Department of Energy in cooperation with North Carolina State University.

Budget: Please contact the program for the latest figures.

Community Served: Residents, developers and communities in North Carolina interested in increasing their use of solar and other renewable energy.

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