Energypedia - FAQs

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		Frequently Asked Questions We have collected a list of frequently asked questions on this page. Please check this list to see if your question has already answered here. If you have an additional question, just send us an email: Email: info@energypedia.info We will answer your question as soon as possible!

General Questions

What is www.energypedia.info?

The Internet platform www.energypedia.info is a renewable energy wiki in the context of development cooperation. It is operated by the nonprofit company energypedia UG (haftungsbeschränkt). Everyone can create and revise articles on technologies, approaches and projects related to renewable energy and energy efficiency in developing countries.

What is energypedia UG (haftungsbeschränkt)?

Energypedia UG (haftungsbeschränkt) is a nonprofit company that hosts the platform www.energypedia.info. Its legal form is comparable to a Limited Company. Energypedia promotes knowledge and experience exchange to achieve universal access to sustainable energy for all people. Hence, energypedia.info is open and free for everyone.

Energypedia thereby pursues its vision of a world of free knowledge exchange and mutual learning on renewable energies in which everyone has access to sustainable energy sources. Find out more about energypedia!

What is a wiki?

A wiki is a special website which enables its users to contribute and modify content via their web browser. Wikis are often used for collaborative working and knowledge managment. The most famous example is the online encyclopedia Wikipedia. Ward Cunningham, the developer of the first wiki software, WikiWikiWeb, originally described it as "the simplest online database that could possibly work". The word "wiki" is Hawaiian and means "fast".

What is energypedia's legal form?

Energypedia is officially registered as a "Unternehmergesellschaft (haftungsbeschränkt)" in Wiesbaden, Germany. This legal form is comparable to a Limited Company. Additionally, energypedia is recognized as a nonprofit organization by German tax authorities.

Why is energypedia recognized as a nonprofit organisation

Energypedia only persues nonprofit activities which are defined in its charter. Hence, energypedia was recognized as a nonprofit organization due to the promotion of "Science and Research" as well as "Development Cooperation" by German tax authorities (i.e. Finanzamt Wiesbaden I) as of 6th December 2011.

What does energypedia do?

Energypedia's action scope is defined in its organizational charter. In order to achieve our vision and comply with our charter, energypedia's primarly task is to operate and fund the wiki platform www.energypedia.info. We offer our user support and all posted information for free. We develop the underlying software to implement more and easier to use knowledge sharing tools. And we continiously improve the content quality (for example, by revising articles with our "Wiki Gardener").

Besides these efforts, energypedia is promoting free knowldege exchange and the need for sustainable energy access for all in publications and on events.

Where is energypedia working?

Energypedia maintains an office in Eschborn, Germany. Click here for our full contact details and directions!

Does energypedia has own projects in developing countries?

Energypedia is an organisation dedicated to human development. However, as a wiki provider, energypedia does currently not have own projects in developing countries. Nonetheless, we are working together with experts and institutions worldwide to share knowledge on renewable energies and energy efficiency and to improve people's live. Have a look at our supporter and partner list for more information on current projects with other organizations.

Who supports energypedia?

Energypedia's main supporters are our users who contribute and maintain the plattform's content. Without enthusiastic and engaged users, energypedia would not exist! Besides our voluntary supporters, energypedia has received in kind and financial support from different organisations which are listed here. We accept no money - directly or indirectly - from companies primarly focussing on non-renewable energy generation like oil or nuclear energy production.

Is it possible to work for energypedia?

Currently, energypedia is not looking for new employees. Vacancies will be announced on energypedia's job portal if available. However, energypedia regularly offers internship opportunities.

Does energypedia offer internships?

Energypedia offers irregularly internship positions in its office in Eschborn, Germany. If you are interested, please send us an email with your CV at info@energypedia.info. Unfortunately, energypedia can not cover any travel expenses.

Funding

Can I become an energypedia member?

Everyone can register with www.energypedia.info to become an user. However, the nonprofit organisation energypedia is not a member-based organisation. Hence, it is not possible to become an official member. However, we invite everyone to register with energypedia and contribute to its content.

How can I support energypedia?

There are many ways how you can support energypedia's vision of free knowledge exchange and universal energy access for all:

• Share Your Knowledge:
  Your kowledge about renewable energies and your experience in implementing projects in the field will help to quicker spread renewable energy solutions to the energy poor.
• Spread the Word:
  Tell your friends, colleagues or fellow students about energypedia and encourage them to share their experiences and knowledge!
• Donate:
  Energypedia is a fully independent non-governmental organisation supported by contributions from individuals, foundations and companies. In order to maintain energypedia's independence and neutrality, we also need funds from people like you!
  For more information and account details, please visit our donation page.

What happens with my donation?

Energypedia wants to be an independent, high quality information source on renewable energy and energy efficiency in developing countries. With your donation you help us to

1. Inform
   about the importance of clean energy access for human development and the existence of energypedia as a free knowledge sharing platform for all people.
2. Support
   all energypedia users in their efforts to share their knowledge on energypedia. We are there for our users to help them sharing their knowledge in the most efficient way.
3. Assure
   the quality of energypedia's content. Even though we encourage our users to correct mistakes and update information, a professional guidance is necessary to keep our set standards.
4. Implement
   knowledge sharing projects for free, expecially involving people from developing countries.
5. Promote
   the distribution of renewable energies through knowledge sharing, especially targeting remote regions without current access to modern energy sources.
6. Run
   the plattform in terms of hosting, software updates, backups, and last but not least to run our office.

How can I donate money?

Currently, you have two options:

• Directly transfer money to energypedia's account
• Donate online via Paypal.

More donation options will follow soon. For more information and account details, please visit our donation page.

Do I get a receipt for my donation?

Energypedia only issues receipts for German residents on request. Please send us an email with your address and we will send you a donation receipt as soon as we have reveived your donation.

Usage

Who can access energypedia?

Energypedia is open to the general public so that everyone can read and download content. If you want to create or edit articles you first need to register with a valid email address and your full name (first and second name) as username.

May I edit articles published by other users?

Yes of course you may do so! The idea behind a wiki is that users collaboratively work on texts. In turn others are allowed to edit your articles, too. Please don't mind and see it as a valuable input into your own and our community's knowledge. As you can always check the article´s history to see who has changed or edited an article, there is no need to worry about vandalism. Wikipedia has already proven it works!

How do I edit articles?

Creating and editing articles is fairly simple - just click the "Edit" button on the top right corner of each page. Easy - that's how a wiki should be! Check out our help section for more information and detailed manuals.

What if I forget my password?

If you cannot remember your password, let a new one be sent to you! Simply type your user name into the login field and click on "E-mail new password" next to the login button.