Power from the Sun - 2nd Edition

A Practical Guide to Solar Electricity - Revised 2nd Edition

Dan Chiras (Autor)

Buch | Softcover

320 Seiten

2016 | 2nd Revised edition
New Society Publishers (Verlag)
978-0-86571-829-6 (ISBN)

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Power from the Sun is the fully revised and updated guide for those interested in generating solar electricity. Practical and accessible, it provides a basic understanding of electricity, wiring, and solar energy, and guides the reader through site assessment, providing a solid understanding of grid-tied and off-grid systems.

From the author of The Homeowner’s Guide to Renewable Energy, an easy guide to solar electricity—everything you need to power your home or small business.

Written for the individual or business layman, this is the fully revised and updated guide for generating solar electricity. Practical and accessible, it provides a basic understanding of electricity, wiring, and solar energy. The book guides the reader through assessing your solar electricity site and determining the type of solar system needed for to generate solar electricity, providing you with a solid understanding of grid-tied and off-grid systems, along with important guidelines on installation.

Power from the Sun, 2nd Edition, discusses types of photovoltaic and photovoltaic solar energy systems, and includes comprehensive information on recent changes and improvements in PV modules, charge controllers, inverters, batteries, generators, and net metering policies. It offers an excellent overview of the many options available as a guide for generating solar electricity, allowing you to make the best choices for your individual situation during the design, installation, and operation of a solar energy system. This is the definitive layman’s guide for homeowners, business owners, installers, architects, and just about anyone interested in generating solar electricity to lower energy bills and achieve greater independence through solar energy.

“Dan Chiras is as reliable as a Swiss watch—once again he’s created a text that’s as accessible as it is informative.”—Ann Edminster, author of Energy Free: Homes for a Small Planet

“Chiras makes it as easy as possible for you to affect your own transition away from fossil fuel dependence.”—Bruce King, PE Director, Ecological Building Network, and author of The New Carbon Architecture

Dan Chiras is Director of the Center for Renewable Energy and Green building through which he teaches workshops solar electricity, wind energy, passive solar design, natural building, and green building. He is also president of Sustainable Systems Design, Inc., a company that installs residential solar electric and wind energy systems and consults on passive solar design, residential renewable energy, and green building throughout North America. Dan is the author of 32 previous books, including The Homeowner’s Guide to Renewable Energy and Power from the Wind.

1. An Introduction to Solar Electricity
    Understanding Rated Power
    An Overview of Solar Systems
    World Solar Energy Resources
    What the Critics Say
    The Advantages of Solar Electric Systems
    Purpose of this Book
    Organization of this Book

2. Understanding the Sun and Solar Energy
    Understanding Solar Radiation
    The Sun and the Earth: Understanding the Relationships
    Conclusion

3. Understanding Solar Electricity
    Brief History of PVs
    What Is a PV Cell?
    Types of PV
    Rating PV Modules and Sizing PV Systems
    Durability and Fire Resistance
    Advancements in PV: What's on the Horizon?
    Conclusion: Should You Wait for the Latest, Greatest New Technology?

4. Solar Site Assessment
    Assessing Electrical Demand
    Conservation and Efficiency First!
    Sizing a Solar Electric System
    Does a Solar Electric System Make Economic Sense?
    Putting It All Together

5. Solar Electric Systems: What Are Your Options?
    Grid-connected PV Systems
    Grid-connected Systems with Battery Backup
    Off-grid (Stand-alone) Systems
    Hybrid Systems
    Choosing a PV System

6. Understanding Inverters
    Do You Need an Inverter?
    How Does an Inverter Create AC Electricity?
    Transformerless Inverters
    Types of Inverters
    Retrofitting a Grid-tied System with Batteries
    Buying an Inverter
    Conclusion

7. Batteries, Charge Controllers, and Gen-sets
    Understanding Lead-acid Batteries
    Sealed Batteries
    Wiring a Battery Bank
    Lithium Ion Batteries
    Sizing a Battery Bank
    Battery Maintenance and Safety
    Managing Charge to Ensure Longer Battery Life
    Charge Controllers
    Generators
    Living with Batteries and Generators

8. Mounting a PV Array for Maximum Output
    What Are Your Options?
    Building-mounted PV Arrays
    Building-integrated PVs
    Conclusion

9. Final Considerations: Permits, Covenants, Utility Interconnection, and Buying a System
    Permitting a PV System
    Covenants and Neighborhood Concerns
     Connecting to the Grid: Working with Your Local Utility
    Insurance Requirements
    Buying a PV System
    Parting Thoughts

Appendix A: Summary of State Net Metering Policies
Resource Guide
Index
About the Author
A Note About the Publisher

Erscheinungsdatum	29.12.2016
Verlagsort	Gabriola Island
Sprache	englisch
Maße	203 x 229 mm
Gewicht	599 g
Themenwelt	Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Freizeit / Hobby ► Heimwerken / Do it yourself
	Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Gesundheit / Leben / Psychologie
	Schulbuch / Wörterbuch ► Lexikon / Chroniken
	Naturwissenschaften ► Biologie ► Ökologie / Naturschutz
	Technik ► Architektur
	Technik ► Elektrotechnik / Energietechnik
ISBN-10	0-86571-829-6 / 0865718296
ISBN-13	978-0-86571-829-6 / 9780865718296
Zustand	Neuware