Solar and Clean energy is the need of the hour. These are energy efficient and eco-friendly ways that help greatly in energy conservation and are also cost effective. Hence the importance of quick and intelligent availability of Industry News. These websites provide timely reporting and analysis of useful data, which help the Industry executives, professionals and investors at large. Listed below are few of my favorite Solar and Clean Energy websites:

1) AltEnergyStocks – provides original research on alternative energy, renewable energy and clean technology companies. The website is categorized into Wind, Solar, Geothermal, Biofuel, Energy Efficiency, Smart grid, efficient Vehicles, alternative Transport, Cleantech news, Mutual Funds and ETFs. This website provides useful information to investors who are looking to invest in alternative energy and cleantech stocks.

2) Cleanedge – Was founded in 2000, and provides research and advisory services in the clean-tech sector. It provides data, expert analysis, and comprehensive insights in the U.S. clean-energy marketplace. Its Cleanwatch is free e-newsletter about clean tech.

3) CleanTechnica – Was founded in 2008, is a clean news website covering Clean power, Transport, Energy efficiency, Economy. This website emphasizes on solar power, wind power, energy efficiency, and clean cars.

4) Earthtechling – is an online publication focusing on cleantech and green technology and the recent news in these sectors. It focuses primarily on Green building  and transportation, renewable energy and green living. It was started in 2009 and has its base in Portland, Oregon. Nino Marchetti is the founder of Earthtechling. The exciting part about this green website is that it has a separate section for Green products and lifestyle, which features new inventions and product description of any new green launch in he market and gives an insight about how to live Green.

5) GreenchipStocks – Started in 2004, Greenchipstocks has helped investors in providing information on Solar and other Renewable enrgy sectors. This website provides news and timely reports on everything from solar, wind, and geothermal to natural gas, electric cars, and smart grid technologies.

6) Greentech Media – is a news and research website which provides timely research and analysis on emerging green and clean technologies. Greetech Media was founded in 2007. It also provides customized research and consulting services in the field of Solar, Smart Grid, enterprise energy solutions, wind energy, biofuels, batteries and storage, finance and VC, and policy throughout these sectors. GTM also provides a platform for industry professionals and companies to come together by conducting various events & conferences.

7) IMS Research – Founded in 1989, IMS Research is the leading provider of market research and consultancy to the global electronics industry. It provides very good information on PV and Smart Grid Market Research. They have offices in Europe, the US, China, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea.

8) Lux Populi – is the Lux Research analyst blog. Lux Research was founded in 2004 as a spin-off of venture capital firm Lux Capital. Lux Research is an independent research and advisory firm providing strategic advice and ongoing intelligence for emerging technologies. The chief technology areas covered are Solar components and systems, Smart grid and grid storage, Electric vehicles, Alternative fuels, Energy electronics.

9) PV-Tech – is a very good comprehensive website providing news on solar PV supply chain globally. PV tech mainly deals with solar cells, modules, thin films and utility-scale power plants. In addition to news and in depth timely analysis, PV Tech also provides Product reviews, Project analysis of various solar products and projects globally. It also provides a synopsis of the upcoming global solar events to be held around the globe. The thing I personally like about the website is that PV Tech gives a country wise tariff chart for Rooftop, ground based and BIPV modules.

10) Renewable Energy Focus – This website is categorized into Bioenergy, energy efficiency, energy infrastructure and storage, geothermal, green building, photovoltaics, hydropower, wind power, tidal energy, Solar heating and electricity.

11) Renewable Energy World – Started by a group of Renewable energy professionals in 1998, RE world today is one of the largest green websites covering Renewable Energy News, products and technology overview. This website also showcases the renewable energy events calendar. It has different sections dealing with Green Companies, products, which is very convenient for customers looking for information. The Renewable Energy White Papers are easily accessible, downloadable documents which are available to anyone in need.

12) SolarBuzz – Provides news and comprehensive reports on the Solar Industry since 2001. In addition to the aforesaid, it also provides consulting services, analyst services and data services to its clients. It was acquired by the NPD Group, the world’s leading global provider of retail market research, in March 2010.

13) Solarplaza – was founded in 2004 and is engaged in organizing solar PV conferences and solar PV trade missions. It also runs a free daily solar industry newsletter SUN. It engages in connecting manufacturers and investors with solar PV developers and strategic consultancy.

Government Websites

1) American Solar Energy Society – Established in 1954 and is a nonprofit organization. It focuses on solar energy, energy efficiency and other sustainable technologies in the U.S. and also publishes the SOLAR TODAY magazine.

2) Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) – is an ongoing project of the North Carolina Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), Inc. It is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). It is administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

3) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) – invests in clean energy technologies. It focuses on energy efficiency – home, building, vehicles and manufacturing; renewable energy – solar, wind, biomass, water and geothermal; and its funding & research.

4) National Renewable Energy Laboratories – Has more than 35 years of experience in energy efficiency and renewable energy. NREL is the national laboratory of the US department of Energy, office of energy efficiency and renewable energy operated by the Alliance of Sustainable energy, LLC. Its divisions focuses on Photovoltaics, wind, biomass, renewable electricity and US renewable energy technical potentials.

5) Solar Energy Industries Association – is the national trade association in the U.S. It is engaged in providing U.S. and international policy, research and polls, business and financing trends, and more. It features news, events and jobs on the website.