A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Energy Systems: With Special Focus on Photovoltaic Systems, the most advanced and research focused text on all aspects of solar energy engineering, is a must have edition on the present state of solar technology, integration and worldwide distribution. In addition, the book provides a high-level assessment of the growth trends in photovoltaics and how investment, planning and economic infrastructure can support those innovations. Each chapter includes a research overview with a detailed analysis and new case studies that look at how recent research developments can be applied. Written by some of the most forward-thinking professionals, this book is an invaluable reference for engineers.
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Table of Contents
1. An Introduction
B. SOLAR ENERGY RESOURCE 2. Solar Energy Fundamentals: energy flux; collectors; types of solar energy: space heating, water heating, electricity generation, PVs 3. Estimation of Solar Energy Potential Worldwide 4. History of Harnessing Solar Energy C. SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES 5. Solar Water Heaters 6. Concentrated Solar Power (Solar Towers) 7. Solar Ponds 8. Space Heating and Industrial Applications 9. Photovoltaics (silicon polycrystaline and thin films) 10. Photovoltaics (Cadmium/Telluride; Copper/ Indium/ Galium/ Selenium etc.) 11. Operation and Maintenance of PVs 12. PV Solar Energy Technology (e.g. batteries, inverters, etc.) 13. Engineering Problems with PVs D. GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY 14. Integration of PV Generated Electricity into National Grids 15. Small scale PVs 16. Storing energy from PVs 17. Reliability of PV Solar Power E. PLANNING, EXECUTION OF SOLAR ENERGY PROJECTS AND REGULATIONS 18. Development, Commissioning and Installing PVs 19. A Comparison of Solar Energy Systems (water heating, PVs, CSPs, etc.) including Relative Efficiencies F. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF PV SOLAR ENERGY 20. Life cycle of PV energy input and output 21. Environmental issues (including the landscape) related to PV Solar Energy 22. Elements (e.g. silicon) used in PV Solar Energy (shortages, source?) G. SOLAR ENERGY WORLD WIDE 23. Solar Power Worldwide (all types) 24. The Solar Power in China, with a Focus on PV Generated Electricity 25. Solar Power in Germany with a Focus on PV Generated Electricity 26. Solar Power in the United States with a Focus on PV Generated Electricity H. FINANCIALS /ECONOMICS OF PV SOLAR POWER 27. Economics of PV Solar Power, Net energy gain, Energy return on investment (EROI), Incentives I. INVESTMENT, GROWTH TRENDS AND THE FUTURE OF PV SOLAR POWER 28. Countries investing in PV Solar Power, Countries Developing and Producing Solar Power PVs, Growth Trends, developing technologies and the Future of PV Solar Power
Authors
Trevor M. M Letcher Emeritus Professor, School of Chemistry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. Professor Letcher was Professor of Chemistry, and Head of Department in South Africa (University of the Witwatersrand, Rhodes University and Natal) (1969 -2004). He has published over 300 papers on chemical thermodynamic topics in peer reviewed journals; and 100 papers in popular science and education journals. He has edited and written 28 books ranging from Future Energy Climate Change, Storing Energy, Wind Energy, Solar Energy, Managing Global Warming and Unraveling Environmental Disasters. He has been awarded gold medals by the South African Institute of Chemistry and the South African Association for the Advancement of Science. He is currently Emeritus Professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and living in the United Kingdom. Vasilis M. Fthenakis Professor, Veterinary Faculty, University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece. Director, Center for Life Cycle AnalysisProfessor, Earth and Environmental Engineering
Columbia University
