Solar Electricity Basics: A Green Energy Guide

This is a little gem of a book for those with little, if any, knowledge of PV systems. I'd subscribed to Home Power magazine for a few years back in the early 2000s, but things have come along way since then.Chiras creates just the right balance of information and hand-holding, all the while acknowledging that most folks are going to need the assistance of professional installers. My purpose in reading the book was to get a jumping off point for an outbuilding project for our rural property. I'm going to build a 30x40 building that will accommodate a vehicle, tractor, a small woodworking shop, and possibly a tiny office. My thought is to have the building off grid, instead of running power down from the house or another line from the coop's line at the road.As others have noted, there's little how-to information in the book, nor is there any real information about how to make intelligent choices regarding siting, equipment mix, or how to evaluate installers' expertise. That said, it's a solid introduction.My only quibble with the book is that he constantly references his previous book, "Power From The Sun," for those who want more information. While I'll buy and read it, it gets a bit tiresome reading, "For more information you may want to see my book, 'Power From The Sun.'"

This is a very good book for anybody who is honestly interested in renewable energy. It gives one a thorough understanding of what is involved ($$$) to do a project like that. Or for less $$ some kind of hybrid solution. And I liked the cross reference to wind power (which is another book, by the same author - and I bought that, too) adding a third option to a cleaner environment. I don't want to sound too green but this book really answered some of my more advanced questions of effectively "catching some rays".I'm from the "ye olde country" up north. Back when I went through physics we had to calculate the energy output of the sun in an hour/ a day/ and a year, with paper and pencil (mind you?). That sure did impress me then and still impresses me now. Back then there were already some sunlight (energy) collection devices available -- for research facilities (including the military, of course); but not to Joe Sixpack.We, my wife and I, now live in/on a Caribbean island with plenty of sunshine and a steady easterly wind. The included charts and references make it rather easy to get to the specific parameters (of where one lives) -- and then go from there to design an appropriate system.With all the information gathered I now feel confident to design and install a system for my everyday needs.All in all: An easy to understand book I highly recommend, even to people who just want to know.

Like his book on wind energy, this is an excellent introduction to solar energy. The terms have been explained clearly, and simply.The chapter layout is excellent, and this makes it easy to keep going back to specific sections of the book whenever you want.The writing style is clear, simple and yet covers enough matter for the lay reader to lay back and feel satisfied. For the person who wants to go deeper, the ways in have been clearly indicated.I recommend this book

Save money and do it yourself, very useful

This was too general and without real information on building ideas for your own system. The author covers Solar Panels, Inverters, Batteries, Generators, Charge Controlers, and System Types, i.e. on the grid, off the grid with batteries, and hybrid with panels, wind power, batteries, and generator. If you know what these are you don't need the book. Would have loved to see some hands on examples for maybe a small system for possibly emergency use or any other examples. Bottom line it was just disappointing and not very useful, if you want to build your own small system and get some idea if it would even be pratical this book is not much help.

Solar Electricity Basics in a straight-forward and easy to understand introduction to solar electricity as an energy source for your house or business.Solar power may seem like a complex subject, but everything in this book is broken-down into simple terms. If you're considering solar as an energy source, or you just want to know more about solar energy this book is for you! This is an excellent book on renewable energy.

Very informative book coving the basics for someone thinking about trying solar. If you already know the basics and your ready to start putting a system together there are problems better books with more detail on that. I am just in the learning/thinking stage so this book was great for me.

Very easy to read. He is a good writer and takes a conversational tone which is easy to read, for such a technical topic. As others have said he is pro-solar. He does say that it is not for everyone and seems to give honest advice.

To get all the benefits of sola in this country you have to be in the right place at the right time

最近、購入した、小さな、太陽電池の照明灯を庭に置いて、足元を照らすように、使っています。内部の電池、発光の原理を、知りたくて、読みました。最初に、この本の目的は、家庭用、小企業用の太陽電気システムにあると述べ、photovoltaic(光起電性の）ＰＶシステムを中心に、アメリカの例で、出力、定格、用途、コスト、利用上の長所、短所などが、紹介されています。内容の構成は、第３章：ＰＶ型−太陽電池の歴史　第４章：電気的"energy-efficiency"の測定が、システム導入、設置コストの低減に重要である　第５章：その他の発電装置、例えば、風力との、”hybrid システム”を、年間を通しての電力供給、計量と必要経費の検討　第６章：インバーターの導入、購入時のヒント　第７章：蓄電池、制御装置、蓄電池使用PVシステメの構成部品についての注意　第８章：PVシステムの設置、維持、種々の構成オプション　第９章：最終検討事項、契約、申請、認可、装置への接続、PVシステム購入　以上内容を紹介しました。わかり易く、写真、図、表も挿入されています。これから設置を検討するための質問事項の記述もあります。