NREL Conduit Blog

The NREL Conduit Blog discusses research relevant to state, local, and tribal governments. Contributing authors provide posts related to events, policy analysis, and decision support outcomes to inform the market in a credible and timely fashion.

Guidebook Explores Regulatory Barriers and Potential Solutions for Tribal Solar Projects

June 16, 2023 by Laura Beshilas

Tribal land holds more that 5% of the solar photovoltaic potential in the United States, according to a 2013 report by NREL.

NREL Supports Development of New Resources and Tools for Home Energy Professionals

Dec. 12, 2022 by Kerrin Jeromin

NREL has developed several new resources for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).

New Report Provides Highlights of the State, Local, and Tribal Program Accomplishments in Fiscal Year 2021

Dec. 9, 2021 by Brooke Van Zandt, Kerrin Jeromin

If NREL had to “show-and-tell” the human impacts of its work today, what would stand out? The State, Local, and Tribal Program (SLT) team’s fiscal year (FY) 2021 accomplishments would.

NREL Customized Technical Assistance Can Support Jurisdictional Energy and Climate Goals

Sept. 1, 2021

As more states and local jurisdictions prioritize clean energy projects to meet national and global climate targets, NREL is ready to support these efforts with customizable technical support services.

NREL Draws on Experience to Expand Equitable Energy Access to State, Local, and Tribal Communities

March 29, 2021

Clean energy is clearly the future, but currently is not accessible to everyone. NREL is committed to continue efforts to expand energy access deeper into communities and address energy inequities.

NREL Celebrates National Weatherization Day

Oct. 29, 2020

October 30 is National Weatherization Day, and NREL is excited to show their support for weatherization and home energy professionals.

Weatherization Assistance Program Launches Training for Administrative Professionals

April 15, 2020

In partnership with the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, NREL has developed new online training modules for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Engaging Stakeholders to Improve the Weatherization Assistance Program

March 6, 2020 by Laura Beshilas

NREL researcher Juliana Williams recently published a report about stakeholder ideas for improving the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). These ideas were gathered at a series of Continuous Improvement Workshops.

Top five sources for solar data available at EIA

July 8, 2016 by Cara Marcy

Have you ever searched for solar energy data and didn’t know where to begin? Maps of solar power plants, installed solar capacity growth over time, projections for solar growth—this kind of information can be valuable to state policymakers trying to understand their solar landscape and craft policies to meet jurisdictional energy goals. One source policymakers can turn to for information about all energy sources, including solar, is the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Life Cycle Assessment and Photovoltaic (PV) Recycling: Designing a More Sustainable Energy System

April 19, 2016 by Brandon Kiger

What happens to solar panels and materials after their useful life? What role does recycling play in the lifecycle of photovoltaic (PV) systems? Is it possible to design PV in a “cradle to cradle”[1] approach so that materials are designed with the purpose of being reused, upcycled, or recycled to a safe and useable material instead of ending up in landfills? From 2010 to the 2nd-quarter of 2015, the U.S. has cumulatively installed 19,884 MWdc of PV in the residential, non-residential, and utility markets[2] Given the growth in solar installations over the last five years, exploring these questions is prudent for designing a more sustainable energy system.


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