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An introduction to solar energy that is specifically designed for junior- and senior-level science and engineering students who want a thorough understanding of the principles behind solar energy, as well as a solid preparation for more advanced study, this book is divided into four parts. The first three chapters deal with the sun, its apparent motion across the sky, and the insulation it provides at the earth's surface. Chapters 4 and 5 survey the principles of heat transfer and optics, and present the background material for the next two chapters. Chapters 6 and 7 cover solar heaters with applications to space heating and hot water supply systems, and include topics such as flat plate collectors, arrays, thermal storage, and solar assisted systems. Chapters 8 and 9 discuss thermodynamic and photovoltaic conversion of solar energy to useful work. Two appendixes are included. One summarizes the formulas for the sun's motion, and the other derives approximate equations for diffuse solar flux. ... Read more

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Presents eighteen self-explanatory solar energy experiments and classroom activities suitable for individual student analysis. ... Read more

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book ... Read more

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Designed for a course in solar engineering in four-year programs, this text covers the latest advances of the past five years in addition to the basics necessary for student understanding. It includes discussions of the most promising industrial applications, particularly in the high temperature range and emphasizes complete system design and economic considerations as well as individual component design and specification. ... Read more

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This book presents the methods of quantitative determination of solar irradiation incident amount on a surface on the Earth. It brings together information not found elsewhere in a single source, and includes an innovative exposition of expert system methodologies used in the domain of solar irradiation and energy. The book provides a background to the underlying physical principles of solar irradiation and energy, with explanations as to how these can be modelled and applied.

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Solar Energy is a Heinemann title. ... Read more

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In easy-to-read and easy-to-do style, Anne Hillerman gives us a wonderful how-to book for children ages 6 and up. The book teaches the basic principles of solar energy while providing fun experiments that can be done at home or in school. Fully illustrated, black and white line drawings, bibliography. ... Read more

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The development of a direct, inexpensive, and efficient method for converting solar energy into a portable, clean fuel would allow elimination of thegrowing problems associated with the ever increasing use of fossil fuels and the reality of their rapid depletion.As the title suggests, Light, Water, Hydrogen: The Solar Generation of Hydrogen by Water Photoelectrolysis, considers the combination of water and light with a suitable semiconductor to achieve a safe, renewable and therefore inexhaustable means for hydrogen generation via the splitting of the water molecule, or photoelectrolysis.

The authors consider the impact of recent advances in nanotechnology on the water photoelectrolysis field, providing specific examples as well as the theories and methods necessary for achieving useful water photoelectrolysis systems.Written for users in a wide range of disciplines, including materials scientists, chemists, electrical engineers, and physicists, Light, Water, Hydrogen: The Solar Generation of Hydrogen by Water Photoelectrolysis is an up-to-date, invaluable resource for graduate students and researchers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Useful information but book needs editing
This book presents itself as a comprehensive account of water photoelectrolysis but only partially succeeds.

There is a tremendous amount of substance in Light, Water, Hydrogen.It not only covers water photoelectrolysis, but devotes significant portions to other methods of water splitting (thermolysis, electrolysis, etc.).It thus serves as an excellent introduction to less well known methods of hydrogen production.The scientific presentation seems accurate.

One limitation of Light, Water, Hydrogen is that it seems more like a beefed-up doctoral dissertation than a book.This can be seen readily from the fact that 100 pages of the book are devoted to Grimes' work on nanotube arrays (chapter 5), while just 50 pages are devoted to metal oxides as photoanodes and 40 pages to non-oxides.This choice of emphasis provides a scattered coverage of many important materials that are important both historically and presently.That said, the book is over 500 pages long, and the authors do make an attempt to at least touch on most subjects.

The reason I give the book 3 out of 5 stars is because of the terrible editing.The book seems to have not been edited.There are a huge number of grammatical errors.The tables are very difficult to read -- the text has been shrunk down to such a small print that it borders on illegible.Yet these problems will not stop this book from being a useful reference to those new to the field.

Extremely useful book for students, engineers, and scientists
This book can serve as an excellent introduction to the field of hydrogen generation by photoelectrolysis for the newcomer as well as a valuable reference for the experienced researcher. It is extremely well structured and starts with the introduction that explains reader the importance of developing renewable and environmentally clean energy sources. Later, it introduces all the necessary scientific concepts, so that a senior student in the Engineering, Chemistry, or Physics program will have no problem reading it. It covers different type of materials considered for the photovoltaic water splitting with the emphasis on the oxide semiconductors. It references a lot of recent publications providing a great overview of the current status of the field. Thus, I highly recommend this book to virtually anybody interested in the field. ... Read more

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Hydrogen is an almost ideal fuel and its wider use will result in an improvement in the environment due to factors including decreased air pollution. Hydrogen is the element of greatest abundance in the universe; however, its production from renewable resources remains a major challenge. The papers presented within this volume enhance and expand upon presentations made at the "Workshop on Biohydrogen 2002". The contents evaluate the current status of Biohydrogen research worldwide and consider future research directions.

* Important research on new fuel opportunities
* 15 contributions from the world's leading experts ... Read more

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There is some degree of separation between the development of advanced control algorithms within the research community and their use in industrial practice. Several strategies developed from experimental research into improving the efficiency of solar th ermal power plants are here examined in the context of their industrial application. The techniques described and applied are the modelling and simulation of solar processes, robust control, adaptive control, model-based predictive control and fuzzy logic control. Their effectiveness is assessed and the various techniques' advantages and drawbacks are analyzed and compared. The results obtained can be readily extended to other industrial processes; in this context, the solar control process examined provides an ideal test-bed since it exhibits many of the problems found in other processes , such as nonlinearities, changing dynamics and strong external disturbances. ... Read more

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Solar electricity is the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity by solar photovoltaic cells. It is a truly elegant means of producing electricity on site, allowing you to take control of your energy destiny and create your own lifestyle without concern for energy supply or environmental harm. No pollution, no by-products, no depletion of resources, these solid-state devices simply make electricity out of sunlight.

Solar electricity is the ideal source of power for an environmentally-responsive home where it’s a luxury residence or a rustic vacation retreat. With the right design, the sunlight that falls on your homesite will power your home. Your solar electric system can also be easily configured to provide on-site recharging of solar/electric vehicles allowing you to meet your transportation needs with renewable energy.

The Solar Electric House will tell you everything you need to know to decide if photovoltaics are for you, including:

Systems options and economics Stand-alone and utility interactive systems Descriptions of all key components How to determine your electricity requirements How to design a solar electric house ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

old literature
this book did not give me anymore information than already had. The book it terribly outdated.

Some useful info.
Learned a few things I didn't already know.

So a plus there...

No complaints...

Dont waste your money its an antique
Ivehad this book 4 years it was out of date then. I recently bought The Renewable Energy Handbook by kemp which is far more up todate. 8 years in Solar Electrics is a lifetime, the equipment shown and discussed is fit for a museum,sure its solar electricy for the indepedant home, as a model t ford is for cruising the motorway,save your money!

Basic but Dated
The book has all the basic knowledge about how the physics of solar energy works but the examples of solar arrays is out of date.There are many new products on the market which are not covered in this book.

History
This book was valid in its time but it has not been revised in so
many years it is now history not technology.I returned it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Agree on a must read for everyone in America
While the book is not the most well written book nor does it give any real starting points on building your own hydrogen generating device/facility nor hydrogen burning engine/fuel cell, it is still a must read for every one who can read as a starting point for what needs to be done to begin the process of energy independence from fossil fuels.

Great Strategic Ideas
I really enjoyed this book.It shows the possiblity of creating an infrastructure here in the US to become completely energy independant.It won't be easy due to special interests, but could come about from grass roots efforts.By becoming energy independent, all the money spent overseas will now stay in the US and create an economy that does good rather than harm.Solar energy parks, hydrogen generation via electolyzers run off solar energy, internal combustion engine conversion (minus emissions which actually clean the air), and lots more ideas are covered.This is a book on ideas and it is up to the little buy to start small and make things happen.One person can make a difference.This book has gotten me interested in hydrogen and fuel cells.I am in the process of building a small fuel cell car experiment kit and then I want to experiment on my lawnmower.

He sold me on alternative energy but not on hydrogen.
Roy does a very good job of explaining hydrogen production and the various methods that can be used to create it. He also does a very good job of explaining the need for renewable energy and how it could have 'anti-inflationary' effects if we spent the money on that instead of wasting it on non-renewable fossil fuels that could be put to better use in manufacturing.

Overall it was a good book and I did learn a few things reading it.

I would recommend reading another book after this called 'The Hype about Hydrogen' that will point out some of the drawbacks to hydrogen.

Very clear concepts, but not to build anything
A good book if you plan to get an insight on renewable subjects. In fact, I think this book should be an obligatory students book in a world that seems to be in an hypnoptical party thought to last forever.

Concepts are very balanced and demistifying, not just hydrogen tecnologies.

On my personal experience it was not wat I expected, because I think it's a book about economy, it just will give you plenty of tables, charts, and historical info about our confused society, and will let you see on your very own, that a lot of things on the world are wrong because of manipulated interests. Don't expect to build anything based on this book.

A glimmer of hope in a fading world
I have been studying alternative energy for over 20 years. Back in the 70's & 80's I got involved with passive solar & ethanol production. Eventually I became an architect to help "save the world". I eventually jumped on the hydrogen band wagon a few years ago & jumped back off when I realized it was mostly hype.
Lately I have been experimenting with biodiesel & am trying to get into straight vegitable oil as fuel.

This book has renewed my interest in hydrogen. Solar & wind generated hydrogen makes perfect sense. Roy really knows his stuff & he explains the technicalities in a way most people can understand. A more advanced person may not find much new information. Of particular interest to me was the section on parabolic mirror collectors heating sterling engines to produce electricity. The electricity could be used to generate hydrogen from water or other mediums.

Roy explains in very simple terms how we could convert many of our existing infastructures into hydrogen supporting infastructures. In the end the book has given me hope and renewed my interest in sustainability. ... Read more

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In Fire and Memory, Luis Fernández-Galiano reconstructs the movement from cold to warm architecture, from building fire to building a building with and for fire, through what he calls a "metaphorical plundering" of disciplines as diverse as anthropology and economics, and in particular of ecology and thermodynamics. Beginning with the mythical fire in the origins of architecture and moving to its symbolic representation in the twentieth century, Galiano develops a theoretical dialogue between combustion and construction that ranges from Vitruvius to Le Corbusier, from the mechanical and organic to time and entropy. Galiano points out that energy, so important to the origin of architectural theory in Vitruvius's time, has been absent from architectural theory since the introduction of the "dictatorship of the eye" over that of the skin. With Fire and Memory, he reintroduces energy to the discussion of architecture and reminds us that the sense of touch is as necessary to an understanding of the environment as the sense of sight. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

architecture must burn
A very dense and stimulating read. One-third of the book is footnotes & references, so it takes a while to grasp just an entire paragraph. But if you like to be ultimately challenged, pick this book up. From caveman to modern man, this book explains how energy (Fire) has evolved through architecture & influenced the way we perceive & use that space (Memory). Also-using two of the most prominent architects: FLW & Corbu, it compares & contrasts the internal & external energy of architecture. Utilizing the laws of thermodynamics, it speaks about architecture alongside an inevitable process of the universe: entropy.

Physical Architecture comes of age, finally!
This is a welcomed variant in the MIT series "Writing Architecture" whose other tomes are, for the most part, examples of postmodernistic self-emphatuated drivel! Fernandez-Galiano instead takes up the theme of Energy and Entropy in Architecture and he does so with considerable skill and rare insight. His choice of illustrations alone is worth the price of the book!
However his grasp of Physics and its History is quite sophomoric and hampered by his reliance on secondary, contentious and dubious sources, such as Morin, Rifkin and Georgescu-Roentgen. His recounting of Thermodynamics as an ideological contest between "mechanistic and organismic" schools mascarades the actual facts of this interesting history which he largely
mishandles (he should read Maxwell, Helmholtz, Gibbs and Planck instead. And Boltzmann too, of whom he only mentions the suicide)! Much of his references to the interesting ideas of Prigogine is also marginal at best! On the side of architecture proper he misses the very crucial appraisals by authors such as Mumford, Giedion, Tuan and Mitchell which cover much of his territory. Yet this is a book stll makes better reading than about anything on this subject, (mostly because there is so little written on this worthy subject)! ... Read more

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Wind and solar energy are pollution-free sources of abundant power. With renewable power generation expected to become more and more profitable with open access to transmission lines and rapid growth around the world, the design, operation, and control of alternative energy resources becomes an essential field of study. Wind and Solar Power Systems provides a comprehensive treatment of this rapidly growing segment of the power industry. It provides the fundamentals of wind and solar power generation, energy conversion and storage, and the operational aspects of power electronics and the quality of power. It covers in detail the design, operation, and control methods applicable to stand-alone as well as grid-connected power systems and discusses the present status of and the on-going research in renewable power around the world.Wind and Solar Power Systems stands as the most modern, complete book available on renewable energy. Electrical, environmental and mechanical engineering professionals along with policy-makers evaluating the renewable energy potential of their regions will find in it the background and the details they need for decision making. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

more wind than anything else
From the title of the book it could be expected a share of both topics, wind and solar energy, however the book is full of wind power analysis everywhere,concentrating solar power is almost non existing, just a couple of pages on chapter 17, and considering the number of applications and complexity of this topics it deserves a lot more than that. So the book is nice but one should not expect too much of anything but wind energy, which is fine. On photovoltaic there is not much either, including nothing on emerging technologies in the field, so it is fairly classic what you have there for conventional design but not giving any clue of what comes next. For instance flexible systems for non flat roof applications or any other non regular shape buildings or semi transparent components. When considering grid connections it goes again for wind almost inmediately. This is fine but my point is whay do not call the book "wind power with some solar..." instead of giving the wrong impression ?, so I give 4 starts for wind and 2 for solar (really it should be just one) giving 3 as average.

Outdated History Reveiw
I had to get this book for school, for a renewable energy class.It has a lot of outdated stats in the book.Its really not the writer, as far as the history of wind, pvs, and batteries go, he does a good job explaining, but that is just it, Its a history lesson in renewables.Do not get this book for projects

Great book!
This book is a lucid, up-to-date and comprehensive reference for theory and practical matters surrounding our two most viable alternate energy sources.Be careful though because the first edition has a few typographical errors, one or two in its derivations.

An excellent, comprehensive text
Very readable, and accessible, even to a non-engineer.

Great reference book....
This is a good reference book on renewable energy sources. It is wellorganized and easy to follow, even for non-electrical engineers.As anenvironmental engineer, I have found it an excellent reference. ... Read more

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A topical new series that addresses the pros and cons of all energy courses. Each book looks at the fundamentals of each energy type with information on how they work, their benefits and limits, examples from around the world and the current and future questions. Debates run strongly throughout as readers are encouraged to look at how the type of energy affects people and planet Earth. ... Read more

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ReadHowYouWant publishes a wide variety of best selling books in Large Print and Super Large Print formats in partnership with leading publishers. EasyRead books are available in 11pt and 13pt. type. EasyRead Large books are available in 16pt, 16pt Bold, and 18pt Bold type. EasyRead Super Large books are available in 20pt. Bold and 24pt. Bold Type. You choose the format that is right for you.

Each book in ENERGY FOR THE FUTURE AND GLOBAL WARMING explores key concepts and issues related to energy availability, production, and use - and explains the impact of energy use on global climate. The eight volumes feature easy-to-read text accessible to a wide range of students, vivid photos, and clear, easy-to-understand illustrations and diagrams. This series will serve as a comprehensive and indispensable resource for anyone interested in the energy prospects for our future needs. The Sun releases more energy in one minute than humans have used since the beginning of time. In Solar Power, readers will discover the different ways we can convert solar energy to electricity.

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