Improvements Needed in DOE's Efforts To Disseminate Solar Information

Gao ID: EMD-81-101 June 24, 1981

GAO recently completed a review of the Department of Energy's (DOE) efforts to disseminate information on solar energy technologies. Since 1979, DOE has been operating a national solar information network comprised of various DOE funded organizations which disseminate solar information.

Although some of the guiding principles in establishing this network were to eliminate overlapping services, user frustration and confusion, and duplication of effort, GAO found that some of these problems still exist. Specifically, it found: (1) overlapping and duplicative inquiry and referral services, (2) indications that the newtork is confusing the public and those charged with disseminating solar information, and (3) duplication of database information. In addition to the national solar information network, there are other DOE organizations which, as a part of their broad information activities, disseminate information on solar energy technologies. The solar information dissemination activities of these other organizations can further contribute to the problems stated.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

Director: No director on record Team: No team on record Phone: No phone on record


The Justia Government Accountability Office site republishes public reports retrieved from the U.S. GAO These reports should not be considered official, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Justia.