From Sunlight To Electricity

The third edition of From Sunlight to Electricity: a practical handbook on solar photovoltaic application brings in the latest information about photovoltaic sector in India, designs and applications of specific devices and related benefits, finance, and policies. This edition of the book gives readers an understanding of the photovoltaic technology programme in India, the issues therein, and its future directions. The information has been presented in a format that is easy to understand and apply. In this third edition, the author has included topics such as "global development in PV system", "installation and maintenance of PV systems", and "application of PV systems for other households".

Praised for its visual appeal, conversational style and clear explanation of complex ideas with minimal mathematics, Electricity from Sunlight has been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect advances in the global PV market, economics and installed capacity. Key features of the 2nd edition include: A timely update of the advances of photovoltaics (PV), with major new material on grid-connected systems. More in-depth treatment of PV scientific principles, solar cells, modules, and systems. Up-to-date coverage of the PV market including conversion efficiencies and the expansion of grid-friendly power plants. End-of-chapter problems with solutions manual available to instructors via companion website. Additional end-of-chapter questions and answers to support students through guided self-study. New chapters on manufacturing processes and on materials and other resources availability. New large-scale PV section covering the growth of global capacity, utility-scale PV and affordable solutions for intermittency. Systems analysis of new applications empowered by low-cost PV, such as energy storage and water desalination. Significantly expanded economics and environmental section explaining leveled cost of electricity versus upfront costs, energy return on investments, and lifecycle analysis. Electricity from Sunlight: Photovoltaics Systems Integration and Sustainability, Second Edition is an essential primer for new entrants to the PV industry, needing a basic appreciation of complete PV systems, and to students on undergraduate and graduate courses on renewable energy and photovoltaics. It also offers a unique treatise of the sustainability of emerging transformative technologies, which makes it useful to both system analysts and energy policy strategists. Co-author, Vasilis Fthenakis, is Recipient of the 2018 William R. Cherry Award The Cherry Award recognizes an individual engineer or scientist who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of the science and technology of photovoltaic energy conversion, with dissemination by substantial publications and presentations. Fthenakis was honored for his pioneering research at the interface of energy and the environment that catalyzed photovoltaic technology advancement and deployment world-wide.

A lively and authoritative account of today’s photovoltaic (PV) technology and its practical applications This book covers areas including: a brief history of PV, and the current international scene; the scientific principles of solar cells including silicon and new thin-film varieties; PV modules and arrays; grid-connected PV, from home systems up to large power plants; the wide diversity of stand-alone PV systems, and; the economic and environmental aspects of solar electricity. Key equations and numerical examples are fully discussed, providing essential theoretical background. The text is supported by copious illustrations and more than eighty inspiring full colour photographs from around the world to demonstrate PV’s huge range of practical applications. This book is aimed at a wide readership including professionals working in related areas, and students taking introductory courses in PV and renewable energy. Its style and level will also appeal to energy planners and decision makers, members of environmental organisations, and the increasing number of people interested in generating their own electricity from sunlight.

Solar Power Generation is a concise, up-to-date, and readable guide providing an introduction to the leading renewable power generation technology. It includes detailed descriptions of solar photovoltaic and solar thermal generation systems, and demystifies the relevant solar energy technology functions in practice while also exploring economic and environmental risk factors. Engineers, managers, policymakers, and those involved in planning and delivering energy resources will find this reference a valuable guide to help establish a reliable power supply to address social and economic objectives. Focuses on the evolution and developments in solar energy generation Evaluates the economic and environmental viability of the systems with concise diagrams and accessible explanations Demystifies the relevant solar energy technology functions in practice Explores economic and environmental risk factors

Photovoltaics, the direct conversion of sunlight to electricity, is now the fastest growing technology for electricity generation. Present "first generation" products use the same silicon wafers as in microelectronics. "Second generation" thin-films, now entering the market, have the potential to greatly improve the economics by eliminating material costs. Martin Green, one of the world’s foremost photovoltaic researchers, argues in this book that "second generation" photovoltaics will eventually reach its own material cost constraints, engendering a "third generation" of high performance thin-films. The book explores, self-consistently, the energy conversion potential of advanced approaches for improving photovoltaic performance and outlines possible implementation paths.

In an effort to move away from our dependence on fossil fuels, scientists and engineers have discovered ways to harness the power of the sun to create electricity. This fact-filled book explores solar energy through a STEM perspective. Students will learn how energy from the sun travels millions of miles through space to power our lives here on Earth. The pros and cons of using solar energy are discussed in detail. Dazzling full-color photographs encourage students to make connections with the text and will keep even reluctant readers engaged.

This book is designed for students, engineers, professionals and anyone looking for understanding how to design photovoltaic systems from scratch even if you don't know anything about solar energy or electricity.

Praised for its visual appeal, conversational style and clear explanation of complex ideas with minimal mathematics, Electricity from Sunlight has been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect advances in the global PV market, economics and installed capacity. Key features of the 2nd edition include: A timely update of the advances of photovoltaics (PV), with major new material on grid-connected systems. More in-depth treatment of PV scientific principles, solar cells, modules, and systems. Up-to-date coverage of the PV market including conversion efficiencies and the expansion of grid-friendly power plants. End-of-chapter problems with solutions manual available to instructors via companion website. Additional end-of-chapter questions and answers to support students through guided self-study. New chapters on manufacturing processes and on materials and other resources availability. New large-scale PV section covering the growth of global capacity, utility-scale PV and affordable solutions for intermittency. Systems analysis of new applications empowered by low-cost PV, such as energy storage and water desalination. Significantly expanded economics and environmental section explaining leveled cost of electricity versus upfront costs, energy return on investments, and lifecycle analysis. Electricity from Sunlight: Photovoltaics Systems Integration and Sustainability, Second Edition is an essential primer for new entrants to the PV industry, needing a basic appreciation of complete PV systems, and to students on undergraduate and graduate courses on renewable energy and photovoltaics. It also offers a unique treatise of the sustainability of emerging transformative technologies, which makes it useful to both system analysts and energy policy strategists. Co-author, Vasilis Fthenakis, is Recipient of the 2018 William R. Cherry Award The Cherry Award recognizes an individual engineer or scientist who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of the science and technology of photovoltaic energy conversion, with dissemination by substantial publications and presentations. Fthenakis was honored for his pioneering research at the interface of energy and the environment that catalyzed photovoltaic technology advancement and deployment world-wide.