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Full Description
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
Contents
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
