Course Related Web Pages > Gemstone Team: SHINE

Gemstone Team: SHINE

Researching information on Solar Power in Developing Countries can be a wide ranging and complex process. This topic relates to countries where technology is not very well developed, and finding local information could present some challenges. The University of Maryland Libraries provide numerous services to facilitate the process for finding information. Many UMD librarians have subject expertise and can assist you with finding information related to your research project.

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Getting Started

• Bibliographic Management Software
  http://www.lib.umd.edu/guides/bms.html

  Helps researchers keep track of their references for research papers and other writing needs. Examples include Endnote, ProCite, and Reference Manager.

• Citation Systems and Manuals
  http://www.lib.umd.edu/guides/style_manuals.html

  An introduction to the citation process which includes information on style manuals, citation systems, and the importance of citing.

• Research and Library Skills
  http://www.lib.umd.edu/UES/library_guides_research.html

  Lists helpful resources relating to library research skills. Includes information on library services, how to search for books and articles, library maps and virtual tours, and other basic information.

• Research Methods
  http://www.managementhelp.org/research/research.htm

  This information on basic business research methods is in part adapted from the book Field Guide to Nonprofit Program Design, Marketing and Evaluation by Carter McNamara. Other resources on this topic include:

  • Introduction to Research by Tyrus Hillway
    LOCATION: McKeldin Library Stacks
    CALL NUMBER: Q180.A1H5

  • The Research Methods Knowledge Base by William M. K. Trochim
    LOCATION: McKeldin Library Stacks
    CALL NUMBER: Q180.55.M4T76

• Research Worksheet
  http://www.lib.umd.edu/ENGIN/library_instruction/worksheet.pdf

  Use this worksheet to help organize your search process.

• Statistical Information Guide
  http://www.lib.umd.edu/guides/intstat.html

  A guide to mainly free online sources for international statistics.

• Types of Periodical Publications
  http://www.lib.umd.edu/UES/journals.html

  Provides information on how to distinguish scholarly journals from trade publications and popular magazines.

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Finding Books and Journals

• Call Numbers

  Books relating to similar subjects are often grouped together on the shelves. You can browse these call numbers virtually with the catalog or physically on the shelf.
  

  Topic	Call Numbers	Location
  Solar Cooking	TX835.5	EPSL
  Solar Energy	TJ809 - TJ812.8	EPSL
  Solar Energy Research	TJ811 - TK8322.H33	EPSL
  Solar Industries	HD9681.A2B73 - HD9681.U62T34	McKeldin

• Keywords

  Using synonyms and other similar words and ideas in your searches can retrieve different results and help you find more resources.

  Solar thermal conversion

  Solar thermal energy

  Solar thermal power systems

  Solar thermal technology

• Subjects

  Try browsing the following relevant subjects to find more resources:

  Photovoltaic power generation--Developing Countries

  Solar energy--Africa

  Solar energy--Bibliography

  Solar energy--Costs

  Solar energy--Developing Countries

  Solar energy--Economic Aspects

  Solar energy--Periodicals

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Books

• Ambiguous artefacts: Solar collectors in Swedish contexts ; on processes of cultural modification by Annette Henning
  LOCATION: McKeldin Library Stacks
  CALL NUMBER: HD9681.S9 H46 2000

• Assessing markets for renewable energy in rural areas of Northwestern China by Tuntivate Voravate, Douglas F. Barnes, and V. Susan Bogach
  LOCATION: McKeldin Folio
  CALL NUMBER: HD9681.C63 C478 2000

• Beyond the petroleum age: designing a solar economy by Christopher Flavin and Nicholas Lenssen
  LOCATION: McKeldin Stacks
  CALL NUMBER: HD9681.A2 F54 1990

• Chasing the sun : solar adventures around the world by Neville Williams
  LOCATION: EPSL Stacks
  CALL NUMBER: HD9681.A2 W55 2005

• Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering edited by Antonio Luque and Steven Hegedus
  LOCATION: EPSL Reference
  CALL NUMBER: TK8322.H33 2003

• Renewable Energy : Technology, Economics and Environment edited by Martin Kaltschmitt, Wolfgang Streicher and Andreas Wiese
  LOCATION: EPSL Stacks
  CALL NUMBER: TJ808. E7613 2007

• Renewable energy resources by John Twidell and Tony Weir
  LOCATION: EPSL Stacks
  CALL NUMBER: TJ808 .T95 2006

• Solar energy: new research edited by Tom P. Hough
  LOCATION: EPSL Stacks
  CALL NUMBER: TJ810 .S4895 2006

• Solar energy: one way to citizen control by C. J. Swet and Angus McDonald
  LOCATION: EPSL Stacks
  CALL NUMBER: TJ810 .S93

  This is an old edition, but the last chapter entitled "Cultural acceptance of solar technology" may be helpful.

• Solar energy, technology policy, and institutional values by Frank N. Laird
  LOCATION: EPSL Stacks
  CALL NUMBER: TJ810 .L32 2001

• Solar revolution: the economic transformation of the global energy industry by Travis Bradford
  LOCATION: McKeldin Stacks
  CALL NUMBER: HD9681.A2 B73 2006

• Trends in solar energy research edited by Tom P. Hough
  LOCATION: EPSL Stacks
  CALL NUMBER: TJ810 .T72 2006

• Who owns the sun? : people, politics, and the struggle for a solar economy by Daniel M. Berman and John T. O'Connor
  LOCATION: McKeldin Library Stacks
  CALL NUMBER: HD9681.U62 B47 1996

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Journals

• Advances in Solar Energy
  LOCATION: EPSL Stacks
  CALL NUMBER: TJ810.A4

• International Journal of Sustainable Energy
  LOCATION: EPSL Current Periodicals
  Also available electronically through Research Port

• Renewable Energy
  Available through Interlibrary Loan

• Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
  Available through Interlibrary Loan

• Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells
  LOCATION: EPSL Periodical Stacks
  CALL NUMBER: TJ810.S62471
  Also available electronically through Research Port

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Databases

• Academic Search Premier

  "Provides abstracts and indexing for over 7,000 journals. Full text of articles for over 4,000 scholarly publications, including more than 3,100 peer-reviewed publications. This database includes such multidisciplinary subjects as: social sciences, humanities, education, computer sciences, engineering, physics, chemistry, language & linquistics, arts & literature, medicine, ethnic studies." Coverage extends from 1965 to present.

• Compendex

  "Engineering Village 2 is a Web-based information service that offers a wide range of quality resources for information specialists, professionals, and researchers working in the applied science and engineering fields. It is a comprehensive interdisciplinary engineering database with engineering journals, conference materials, Physics Abstracts, Electrical & Electronics Abstracts and Computer & Control Abstracts." Compendex is updated weekly and coverage extends from 1970 to present.

• ETDE World Energy Base

  "Information on the environmental impact of energy production and use, including climate change; energy R&D; energy policy; nuclear, coal, hydrocarbon and renewable energy technologies and more. Includes over 953,500 bibliographic records from early 1995 forward. A product of the Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDE), a program of the International Energy Agency." Use the advanced search screen.

• EIU Country Commerce

  "EIU Country Commerce is a full-text database that contains regulations, operating conditions and corporate practices in 60 countries. Good place to start when doing business in other countries."

• EIU Country Finance

  "EIU Country Finance is a comprehensive full-text database that covers the world's main financial systems, including banking and associated services, government policies and regulations for 47 countries."

• EIU ViewsWire

  "EIU ViewsWire is a full-text country news daily that provides analysis and forecast information on worldwide politics, economics, business strategies & conditions and market trends in almost 200 countries."

• IEEE Xplore

  "Provides full-text access to IEEE transactions, journals, magazines and conference proceedings published since 1988 and all current IEEE Standards." This database covers computer engineering, biomedical technology, telecommunications, electric power, aerospace and consumer electronics, and more. Coverage extends from 1988 to the present.

• INSPEC

  "Indexes and abstracts 4,000 scientific/technical journals and conference proceedings in physics, electrical engineering, computing, and information technology."

• International Political Science Abstracts

  "This database produced by the International Political Science Association, includes current indexing and abstracts of the world's leading journals in political science." Coverage extends from 1989 to the present.

• NTIS

  "Covers U.S. government-sponsored research and reports from federal agencies. NTIS is the central source for the sale of unclassified and publicly available information from federal sources. Indexes and abstracts technical research reports, journal articles, data files, computer programs and audio-visual products.Information is also available from some foreign governments. Additionally, NTIS includes some technical reports from international agencies such as NATO and AGARD." Coverage extends from 1964 to the present.

• PAIS International

  "The PAIS International database contains references to more than 460,000 journal articles, books, government documents, statistical directories, grey literature, research reports, conference reports, publications of international agencies, microfiche, Internet material, and more. Newspapers and newsletters are not indexed." Topics covered relate to public affairs, including the environment, business, education, government, health, international relations, law & legislation, criminal justice, political science, social issues, and public administration.

• Science Direct

  "Provides abstracts and indexing for more than 1800 journals. Full text of more than 800 journals is available to USMAI institutions. Some articles are in languages other than english." Science Direct covers the physical and biological sciences.

• Solar Information Resources Database

  "This database contains information resources for Concentrating Solar Power, Photovoltaics, Solar Heating, and Solar Lighting."

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Web Resources

• Blue Square Energy
  http://www.bluesquareenergy.com/index.html

• European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA)
  http://www.epia.org/05Publications/Solargeneration.htm

EPIA is the world’s largest industry association devoted to the solar electricity market. Included here are press releases, related links, publications, and EPIA events. Click on the links Publication and Data & Figures for more information on worldwide production and consumption of solar energy.

• International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
  http://www.ifpri.org/
• International Solar Energy Society (ISES)
  http://www.ises.org/ises.nsf!Open

This web page lists solar energy journals published by ISES.

• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) http://www.nrel.gov/solar/

NREL is the nation's primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency resource and development. Provided here is information on photovoltaics, solar thermal, and solar radiation in the form of related links, research, and NREL programs on these topics.

• Smart Communities Network
  http://www.smartcommunities.ncat.org/financing/agriculture.shtml

This website provides information on financing sustainable development projects, including solar power systems. The Energy web page lists relevant links, articles, and publications.

• Solar Energy Network
  http://www.solarenergy.net/

The Solar Energy Network provides current information on solar energy technology from around the world, as well as links to a great variety of domestic and international solar initiatives (listed under Solar Links).

• U.S. Department of Energy: Financial Opportunities
  http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/financial_opportunities.html

Access to energy efficiency and renewable energy financial incentives, tax rebates, and solicitations offered by the U.S. Department of Energy and other federal, state, local, and NGO agencies.

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