What Kind of Content and Resources Does the ISES Website Offer?
Updated
The ISES website (ises.org) is the online home of the International Solar Energy Society, a global organization focused on advancing renewable energy. The site primarily offers four types of content: a peer-reviewed journal (Solar Energy), a regular column in pv magazine, conference and event announcements (such as EuroSun), and membership information for individuals and organizations. It is a resource for researchers, industry professionals, and anyone tracking solar energy research and policy developments rather than a consumer how-to site.
Research Publications: The Solar Energy Journal
The site regularly announces new volumes and parts of the Solar Energy journal, which publishes solar energy research. Recent listings on the homepage include:
- Volume 315, Part 1 and Part 2
- Volume 314, Part 1 and Part 2
Each announcement links to the latest research featured in that issue. If you follow academic or technical developments in solar energy, these posts serve as a running index of new peer-reviewed work.
Columns and Blog Posts in pv magazine
ISES publishes a recurring column in pv magazine, and the website links to each installment. Recent examples from the homepage show the range of topics:
| Column (date) | Topic |
|---|---|
| October 2026 | "Electrifying everything" — COP31's goal to raise electricity's share of global final energy demand from 20% to 35% by 2035 |
| September 2026 | Very low-cost rooftop solar reducing domestic energy costs, Part 3: African countries |
| August 2026 | Long-duration, long-lived off-river pumped hydro storage, with 800,000 potential sites noted |
These columns are short, topical analyses of policy, markets, and technology rather than original research papers.
Events: EuroSun Conferences and Webinars
The site carries announcements for ISES-organized events, including:
- EuroSun conferences — for example, the EuroSun2028 call for expressions of interest (reported as closed), planned by ISES and the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme.
- Webinars — listed in the site navigation alongside publications and blog posts.
If you want to present work, attend, or track conference deadlines, this section is the place to check.
Membership and Community
The site invites individuals and organizations to join the "global solar community." It lists Corporate and Institution Members and Partners, and describes ISES as "the global voice for renewable energy," driving the transition to a 100% renewable energy future. Membership pages are the entry point if you want to participate in the society rather than just read its output.
Is It Worth Following?
- Yes, if you want a single feed of solar research releases, short policy/market commentary, and conference news from an established international society.
- Less useful if you are looking for practical installation guides, product comparisons, or consumer pricing information — the site's content is oriented toward research, policy, and community news.
The homepage also includes a search function and a user login, suggesting that some content or member services may sit behind an account; the available material does not specify what those restrictions are, so check directly if you need member-only access.