Book Description
Producing electricity from the sun using photovoltaic (PV) systems has become a major industry worldwide. But designing, installing and maintaining such systems requires knowledge and training, and there have been few easily accessible, comprehensive guides to the subject.
Now, with Photovoltaics: Design and Installation Manual, a world-class solar energy training and education provider - Solar Energy International (SEI) - has made available the critical information to successfully design, install and maintain PV systems. The book contains an overview of photovoltaic electricity and a detailed description of PV system components, including PV modules, batteries, controllers and inverters. It also includes chapters on sizing photovoltaic systems, analyzing sites and installing PV systems, as well as detailed appendices on PV system maintenance, troubleshooting and solar insolation data for over 300 sites around the world. Used worldwide as the textbook in SEI's PV Design & Installation workshops, topics covered include:
- The basics of solar electricity
- PV applications and system components
- Solar site analysis and mounting
- Stand-alone and PV/Generator hybrid system sizing
- Utility-Interactive PV systems
- Component specification, system costs and economics
- Case studies and safety issues
Photovoltaics guarantees that those wanting to learn the skills of tapping the sun's energy can do so with confidence.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent book.......2007-09-13
This book was new and in excellent conditions. I really buy another book from Amazon. Also the shipping was very fast.
Not just fluff.......2007-07-23
Get into the ins and outs of PV installation. This book is actually too complicated for the casual observer since there are a lot of variables to designing a workable cost efficient (well, hopefully not costing more than need be) PV system. For instance, a materials list for a 12 volt DC battery and charge controller system consist of about 80 lines. Each with their own numbers!
Photovoltaics Design and Installation Manual.......2007-07-07
This is a low-cost and easy to read and understand book for designing and installing PV systems. I highly recommend it for interested students, engineers and contractors.
Renuable Energy Education for a Sustainable Future.......2007-05-16
Great book, easy to understand for everyone. We all need to work toward this kind of lifestyle. Including supporting our communities, making them more levable, and buying local.
So So Solar.......2007-05-13
Not a bad book, but it gives itself way too much credit by billing itself as a "Design and Installation Manual". This 315 page book could be condensed into a 50 page useful book entitled "A Basic Introduction to Considerations in Photovoltaic Design and Installation". It's choppy to read, and it has a lot of filler, generalities, and truisms. Expect a lot of this: "The major aspects of installing the photovoltaic array are choosing the most applicable mounting systems and making a proper installation". Some of the electrical theory is questionable. Still, it's the best book I've found, which means there is a great opportunity for a knowledgable PV systems integrator who can write well and put together a comprehensive, well-written text on the subject.
Book Description
Heating water with the sun is almost as old as humankind itself, and it is done all over the world. Yet there are strangely few resources on the topic in North America.
Solar Water Heating fills this gap. It reviews the history of solar water & space heating systems from prehistory to the present, then presents the basics of solar water heating, including an introduction to modern solar energy systems, energy conservation and energy economics. Drawing on the author's experience as an installer of these systems, the book goes on to cover:
- Types of solar collectors, solar water and space heating systems and solar pool heating systems, including their advantages and disadvantages
- System components, their installation, operation, and maintenance
- System sizing and siting
- Choosing the appropriate system.
Since people often get turned off by the up-front cost, the book focuses especially on the financial aspects of solar water or space heating systems, clearly showing that such systems can save significant costs in the long run. Well-illustrated, the book is designed for a wide readership from the curious to the student or professional.
Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series
Customer Reviews:
solar hot water.......2007-05-19
This is a great collection of information on the subject of solar water heating. I love how the author doesn't pull any punches. There are definite reasons why we don't use more solar hot water in this country. Regan led by example in the 80's when he pulled the solar collectors off the white house roof. While the author spends a bit on the history of solar heating this is definitely a manual on how to design and install a system. The author obviously has had a lot of experience with these systems and he knows what works. read this book and get a high quality solar hot water system up and running in your home. Our planet depends on it.
In fact he dedicated the book for our earth.
Great support.......2007-05-16
I read the book fully with one breath. Basically it contains almost everything what need to know about solar systems and their application. But I gave 4 stars. The reason is simple: I am not sharing the view as vacuum tubes or heatpipes are having a same efficiency as normal flat collectors having. In our climate only heatpipes are able to supply enough heat for heating and support for heating. All others are excellent!
Homeowner's Guide to Solar Water Heating.......2007-04-04
Find out why your next home should be heated by a solar water system. This book will explain the ins and outs of various kinds of systems.
Comprehensive.......2007-03-29
Not being a plumber I can't say this book will be as much value to someone with those skills. He covers the systems so thoroughly that I would imagine if you had the plumbing ability this book would be all you need to get started.
I was a little frustrated having read the first chapter only to find out that several systems described in detail the author would never recommend using. I was thinking to myself why did I waste time reading about those. But that's where the comprehensive part comes in. And by knowing why the author doesn't recommend those systems you get to participate in the joy of knowing everything there is to know about solar water heating.
I especially enjoyed the cost analysis of the hot water systems vs. gas and electric, as well as the discussion of using solar heated water to provide whole house heating.
Excellent.......2007-03-04
Despite Federal tax credits (up to $2,000 at this writing) for solar water heating there's a lack of information on the subject.
For a handyman with good plumbing skills, or a homeowner wanting to learn about solar water heating, this is the best book available.
After a history of solar water heating in the US, the book describes various systems that use the sun to heat and store water. Climate, freeze conditions, water quality and amount of sunlight available are some of the factors considered in choosing a system, and the book describes them all. Individual components are detailed in a logical, straightforward way. It's obvious the authors have extensive practical knowledge. The writing style is informal and easy to read.
Besides all the solar water heating information, this book also has a good section on radiant floor heating, detailing the use of PEX tubing to heat a concrete slab.
The book uses a lot of drawings to demonstrate how things work. More actual photographs of systems and components would have been helpful. I also wish the authors would have included brand names and sources for equipment. The industry still suffers from the stigma of poorly designed systems of the 1970's and 80's. Some reassurances from the authors regarding which component manufacturers are good would have been nice.
For the past two years, I've lived with a solar water heating system I bought as a package and installed myself. I've been happy with all the "free" hot water it's provided. If this book had been available when planning my system I would have had a much better idea of what I was doing. Having all the components matched and sized with specific instructions gave me a lot of confidence during installation. In my opinion, for the neophyte, a component package is a good way to go.
For anyone planning a residential sized solar water heating system, this is the best book available. It's an excellent guide, whether you decide to choose the individual components yourself, buy a package, or hire a contractor to install a turnkey system.
If you're a contractor or someone wanting to get into the solar water heating business, "Solar Hot Water Systems - Lessons Learned 1977 to Today" (Tom Lane) is very good, but the amount of technical detail implies you already have a good working knowledge of plumbing and roofing. [...]
Good luck getting into hot water!
Book Description
For the past ten years The Passive Solar House has offered proven techniques for building homes that heat and cool themselves, using readily available materials and methods familiar to all building contractors and many do-it-yourself homeowners. True to this innovative, straightforward approach, the new edition of this best-selling guide includes CSOL passive solar design software, making it easier than ever to heat your home with the power of the sun. Since The Passive Solar House was first published, passive solar construction expert James Kachadorian has perfected user-friendly, PC-compatible software to supplement the design process explained in the book by allowing homeowners/designers to enter the specifications of their design and see how changing a variable will affect its energy efficiency. This is the building book for a world of climbing energy costs. Applicable to diverse regions, climates, budgets, and styles of architecture, Kachadorian's techniques translate the essentials of timeless solar design into practical wisdom for today's solar builders. Profiles of successful passive solar design, construction, and retrofit projects from readers of the first edition provide inspiration to first-time homebuilders and renovators alike.
Customer Reviews:
disappointed !.......2006-11-06
a very disappointed old book ! a book from the seventies! very few pictures, many boards for american countries. Solar means, for me, interest for nature and for health. technical solutions suggested are not for health ! technik will kill us. let's us go to more simplicity !
Deftly presenting a "reader friendly" study of the solar power conversion process.......2006-06-05
The Passive Solar House: Using Solar Design To Heat And Cool Your Home by civil engineering and solar home expert James Kachadorian is an informed and informative guide to the complexities involved in converting a building to the effective, environmentally friendly, financially beneficial technology of solar power. Deftly presenting a "reader friendly" study of the solar power conversion process, The Passive Solar House covers such relevant issues as equipment and insulation requirements for a designing and adapting solar powered house; "sun spaces"; heating and cooling requirement; insulation, venting, and fresh air; basic layouts and floor plans; interior design for year around comfort, and more. A welcome addition to personal, community library, and academic library Architectural Studies reference collections, The Passive Solar House is very strongly recommended for non-specialist general readers searching for a comprehensive introduction to creating a solar powered home in any urban or rural climate zone or region of the country.
Great reference and... IT WORKS!.......2006-03-22
My father found this book and used it, in the Southwest, to design his passive solar heating/cooling system. I am in the process of doing the same. In the winter he needs only a few cords of pine to heat a large 2 story house and in the summer, while I swelter in an appartment w/only North facing glass (!!!), his house is very cool and comfortable. The few negative reviews above appear to be from folks who either didn't pay attention as they read or have pie-in-the-sky "theories" of what passive solar really can do for you. Kachadorian is an engineer and very pragmatic. He is not a "green" builder so keep that in mind. His system works very well in real conditions and does so in a cost effective manner if you do the calculations which are all at about the 7th grade level. Id recommend building them in a spreadsheet- easy to do and lets you "tweak" your design as you go along. Honestly, even if you don't use his system, his calculations are very worth while to design in adequate thermal mass and back-up heating into any house.
Good luck!
Buy it and Build it........2006-02-22
This is a well-written book about passive solar design. The author easily convinces you that he knows what he is talking about. Facts, formulas, calculation charts and instructions: he gives you all you need to plan and build your own passive solar home ... and get about half of your heating and cooling costs for free from the sun. Live with nature, design with nature, whatever. Buy the book and read it. It is long over due (about 35 years!). I gave away my copy and bought another one for friends, then I ordered the latest book authored by James Kachadorian.
The Most Advanced Passive Solar Method.......2005-12-09
James Kachadorian invented the most advanced method for doing passive solar. This book describes the method in ways almost anyone could understand. I live in New Mexico where passive solar houses are popular but generally primitive in their design. I was not planning on building a home but after reading his book I knew I had to in order to have the best possible passive solar home. His technique is applicable to a wide variety of home styles. It is the one hest able to create a comfortable, healthy and efficient passive solar house. I am certain he will become a real hero of the renewable energy movement. Anyone who considers having a passive solar home, and that ought to be most of us, owes it to themselves to read this book. You won't find many passive solar mentors as expert and as talented at coveying their ideas as James Kachadorian.
Average customer rating:
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Energy Systems and Sustainability
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
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Renewable Energy
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Renewable Energy Policy
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Sustainable Energy: Choosing Among Options
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Fundamentals of Renewable Energy Processes
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Renewable Energy, Third Edition
ASIN: 0199261792 |
Book Description
Today energy and sustainability are areas of primary concern. Energy Systems and Sustainability provides a thorough introduction to the economic, social, environmental and policy issues raised by current systems of energy use, as well as describing their key physical and engineering features. The book begins with an introductory account of the present world energy situation. This is followed by chapters explaining basic energy concepts and describing the magnitudes and patterns of human energy needs. The central part of the book deals with the historical evolution and present status of the conventional fossil and nuclear fuelled energy systems that, along with hydropower and traditional biofuels, currently supply the majority of the world's commercial energy needs. A section on economics describes the basic methods by which the monetary costs of energy are calculated, and discusses the issue of the 'external' costs of energy production. The concluding sections then deal with the sustainability problems associated with both fossil and nuclear fuel use, and ways in which these might be ameliorated by various technological developments. The interdisciplinary approach of the book will appeal not only to specialists but also to non-specialist readers who wish to improve their understanding of these complex and increasingly important issues. This book will be an ideal companion to the forthcoming second edition of Renewable Energy by Godfrey Boyle, which deals with the different forms of renewable energy and how these can be utilised.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Resource.......2007-09-16
This book, and its companion "Renewable Energy", are excellent introductory books to the topic of energy. The basics are explained in clear language, the references are up-to-date and the graphics are colorful and very helpful. These two books take a HUGE topic and make it understandable and interesting. I hope that new editions continue to be published.
If I had to make one complaint, it's that it's focused on the UK, which in terms of energy is a relatively small country. But in today's world, that is a minor issue. The book gives you the tools you need evaluate other sources of information.
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Micro Cogeneration: Towards Decentralized Energy Systems
Martin Pehnt ,
Martin Cames ,
Corinna Fischer ,
Barbara Praetorius ,
Lambert Schneider ,
Katja Schumacher , and
Jan-Peter Voß
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 3540255826 |
Book Description
The introduction of micro CHP – the simultaneous production of heat and power in an individual building based on small energy conversion units such as Stirling and reciprocating engines or fuel cells – is of increasing political and public interest. A large-scale introduction of micro CHP would radically change the electricity system and turn consumers into power producers. At the same time, micro CHP could, if supported by favourable economic and policy conditions, represent a considerable market segment, promoting downstream innovations such as "virtual power plants", altered consumer awareness or new household energy management systems.
The diverse consequences of a widespread introduction of micro CHP for the energy market, the customers, the environment and the economy require an interdisciplinary investigation into the real benefits and barriers of micro CHP. This book not only introduces micro CHP systems and technologies, but also presents the results of the first such investigation carried out by four German research bodies. As micro CHP is being developed worldwide, experts from the five most important micro CHP countries – Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Japan, and the United States of America –report on the energy markets, the micro CHP hard- and software, and the respective peculiarities in these countries.
This book is an indispensable source of information and analysis for decision makers in local and national authorities, energy companies, utilities, and associations, but also for lecturers and students who want to understand the principles and consequences of decentralized energy supply with Micro CHP systems.
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Financing Renewable Energy Projects: A Guide for Development Workers
Jenny Gregory ,
Sidema Silveira ,
Anthony Derrick ,
Paul Cowley ,
Catherine Allison , and
Oliver Paish
Manufacturer: Practical Action
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ASIN: 1853393878 |
Book Description
Access to affordable energy is essential for sustainable economic development and improvement in living standards. The aim of this book is to act as a guide for development workers for financing small renewable systems and a source of reference for further in-depth investigation.
The book examines the issues which affect the success of a renewable energy financing program on both a financial and a technical level: those interested in setting up financing schemes for renewable energy technologies must also be aware of the technical parameters, which can then be factored into any scheme.
Photovoltaics has been chosen as the main example, as one of the most cost-effective ways of bringing electricity to remote areas. However, many of the examples and the financing issues discussed are also applicable to other renewable energy technologies.
Book Description
Sustainable development and global climate change have figured prominently in scientific analysis and international policymaking since the early 1990s. This book formulates technology strategies that will lead to environmentally sustainable energy systems, based on an analysis of global climate change issues using the concept of sustainable development. The authors focus on environmentally compatible, long-term technology developments within the global energy system, while also considering aspects of economic and social sustainability. The authors analyze a large number of alternative scenarios and illustrate the differences between those that meet the criteria for sustainable development and those that do not. As a result of their analysis, they identify a variety of promising socio-economic and environmental development paths that are consistent with sustainable development. One sustainable-development scenario and its policy implications are then presented in detail from a technology change perspective. The authors propose ambitious targets for technology adoption that are judged to achieve the desired socio-economic and environmental goals. Although the optimal policy mix to pursue these targets is clearly country-specific, the authors suggest that energy-related R&D that leads to technology performance improvements and the promotion of technology adoption in niche markets are the policy options which will yield the most significant long-term benefits. Policymakers, economists and researchers working on sustainability, energy economics, and technology change and innovation will welcome this topical and highly readable book.
Book Description
This digital document is a journal article from Environment International, published by Elsevier in 2004. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Description:
This manuscript is a synthesis of the available information on energy use in farm operations, and its conversion into carbon equivalent (CE). A principal advantage of expressing energy use in terms of carbon (C) emission as kg CE lies in its direct relation to the rate of enrichment of atmospheric concentration of CO"2. Synthesis of the data shows that estimates of emissions in kg CE/ha are 2-20 for different tillage operations, 1-1.4 for spraying chemicals, 2-4 for drilling or seeding and 6-12 for combine harvesting. Similarly, estimates of C emissions in kg CE/kg for different fertilizer nutrients are 0.9-1.8 for N, 0.1-0.3 for P"2O"5, 0.1-0.2 for K"20 and 0.03-0.23 for lime. Estimates of C emission in kg CE/kg of active ingredient (a.i.) of different pesticides are 6.3 for herbicides, 5.1 for insecticides and 3.9 for fungicides. Irrigation, lifting water from deep wells and using sprinkling systems, emits 129+/-98 kg CE for applying 25 cm of water and 258+/-195 for 50 cm of water. Emission for different tillage methods are 35.3 kg CE/ha for conventional till, 7.9 kg CE/ha for chisel till or minimum till, and 5.8 kg CE/ha for no-till method of seedbed preparation. In view of the high C costs of major inputs, sustainable management of agricultural ecosystems implies that an output/input ratio, expressed either as gross or net output of C, must be >1 and has an increasing trend over time.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Food Logistics, published by Thomson Gale on June 1, 2007. The length of the article is 4184 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Design a blueprint for sustainability: start with an energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly facility.(SECTION 1 / FACILITY DESIGN)(Cover story)(Company overview)
Author: Carol Casper
Publication:
Food Logistics (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 1, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Issue: 96
Page: 23(6)
Article Type: Cover story, Company overview
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Book Description
This digital document is a journal article from Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, published by Elsevier in 2005. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Description:
It is important to understand and evaluate the environmental impacts of all crops if we are to develop more sustainable production systems. Understanding the impact of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) is particularly important as there are alternative crops that can be used for sugar production and also because there is growing interest in its potential as a source for biofuel. This paper presents the findings of a research project to evaluate the environmental impact and economic viability of the range of sugar beet production systems in the UK. The study used 13 sugar beet production scenarios that represent those used throughout the UK. These scenarios differed in soil type, nutrients applied (inorganic and organic), crop protection (chemical and cultural) and use of irrigation. The assessment included an evaluation of inputs (nutrients, pesticides and energy) and their impact on the environment. A net margin for each scenario was also calculated to provide an economic assessment. An average of the assessment results for the different parameters across the scenarios was calculated (weighted by the sugar beet area each scenario represented) to provide a mean figure for sugar beet production in the UK. The results for this mean on a per ha basis were a yield of 52t, a net margin of @$560, consumption of 21.4GJ of energy, emission of 1.4equiv. t of carbon dioxide, 3.3kg nitrogen leached, 15.2kg nitrogen lost to denitrification and a pesticide ecotoxicity score of 26 (low). A sustainability profile, on a per ha and a per tonne basis, for each of the 13 scenarios was constructed enabling all scenarios to be compared in terms of their overall environmental and economic performance. This comparison showed that the most profitable scenario also had the best overall environmental performance. This scenario represented 18% of UK sugar beet area. Three other scenarios that represented 57% of the total area closely followed this performance. The overall performance of the organic scenario was equal to the best conventional scenario on a per ha basis, but on a per t basis its performance was lower (similar to the mean for sugar beet in the UK) due to its significantly lower yield. This study illustrates that a significant proportion of the UK crop is being grown in an economically efficient way whilst minimising environmental damage.
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![Carbon emission from farm operations [An article from: Environment International]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21DR5N1FJYL.jpg)
![Environmental impact and economic assessment for UK sugar beet production systems [An article from: Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21PEA4S0N2L.jpg)