Solar Power
More energy from the sun falls on the earth in one hour than is used by the world in one year. This substantial, renewable resource provides countries with an effective means of generating electricity and providing heating and cooling, and lighting. From small to large scale, solar energy can be harnessed through a variety of technologies and building design approaches that save energy, minimize environmental impacts and reduce operational costs. Countries have employed an array of mandates, incentives and deployment programs to promote the use of solar power. This page provides access to technical resources that policymakers can use to inform the design and implementation of policies and programs to advance deployment of solar power technologies.
Before you begin your search for solar policy resources, you can learn more about solar power development by reading our policy brief on solar power, which outlines good practices, provides design considerations, and shares examples of solar power in action in various countries.
Resources CESC
Publication
Investment opportunities for utility-scale solar and wind areas: El Salvador
Sources:
International Renewable Energy Agency
Date:
1 May 2024
Publication
Tools and Websites
Training Materials
2010 China-United States Renewable Energy Grid Integration Workshop (Website)
Sources:
The China Sustainable Energy Program
Deployment Data
Publication
A New Scheme for the Promotion of Renewable Energies in Developing Countries: The Renewable Energy Regulated Purchase Tariff
Sources:
European Commission
Alliance for Rural Electrification
PhotoVoltaic Technology Platform
Publication
A Word on Low Cost Renewables: The Renewables Breakthrough: How to Secure Low Cost Renewables
Sources:
Agora Energiewende
Publication
Agrivoltaic Systems to Optimise Land Use for Electric Energy Production
Sources:
Applied Energy
Date:
15 June 2018
Publication
Agrivoltaic Potential on Grape Farms in India
Sources:
Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments
Date:
1 October 2017
Training Materials
American Samoa’s Solar+Storage Microgrid
Sources:
Clean Energy Group
Resilient Power
Date:
16 February 2017
Publication
An Overview of Behind-The Meter Solar-Plus-Storage Regulatory Design: Approaches and Case Studies to Inform International Applications
Sources:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Date:
1 March 2020
Deployment Data
Publication
Tools and Websites
Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (Website)
Sources:
Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate
Publication
Tools and Websites
Ashden Award for Sustainable Energy (Website)
Sources:
Ashden
Publication
Aquavoltaics: Synergies for Dual Use of Water Area for Solar Photovoltaic Electricity Generation and Aquaculture
Sources:
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
Date:
1 December 2017
Publication
Background Study: Developing a Legal Instrument for Gender Assessments in Energy Infrastructure Planning and Development within ECOWAS
Sources:
ECOWAS Observatory for Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency
Publication
Tools and Websites
Training Materials
BASE Renewable Energy Training Kits
Sources:
United Nations
Tools and Websites
Big Dish Solar (Website)
Sources:
Keith Lovegrove
Publication
Boosting Solar PV Markets: The Role of Quality Infrastructure
Sources:
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Tools and Websites
Building Energy Software Tools Directory
Sources:
United States Department of Energy
Policy Data
Publication
Tools and Websites
Capacity Building for the Rapid Commercialization of Renewable Energy
Sources:
World Bank
Publication
Charge Without a Cause? Assessing Electric Utility Demand Charges on Small Consumers, Electricity Rate Design Review Paper No. 1
Sources:
Solar Energy Industries Association