"The sun is a source of energy for living things. Energy that comes from sunshine is called solar energy. But how does solar energy work? And how can we use solar energy to not only stay on the cutting-edge of technology, but to help keep the environment healthy?"

The Sun, our star, has inspired the research of many scientists and engineers and brings hope to many of us for a paradigm shift in energy. Indeed, the applications of solar energy are manifold, primarily because it concerns both light and heat. Photovoltaic (PV) conversion is the most well-known among these, but other modes of conversion include photochemical, photobiological, photoelectrochemical, thermal and thermochemical. This book covers the...

With the threat of global warming, and the gradual depletion of petroleum supplies, solar electric power is rapidly becoming significant part of our energy mix. The range of solar cells spans different materials and different structures in the quest to extract maximum power from the device while keeping the cost to a minimum. Devices with efficiency exceeding 30% have been demonstrated in the laboratory. Solar Energy Engineering: Processes and Systems....

From tiny solar cells in calculators to huge arrays of solar panels, solar energy technologies use the sun s heat or light as useful energy sources. The Science of Solar Energy examines the field of solar energy, including the underlying scientific concepts, its potential for replacing fossil fuels, examples of how it is used today, and prospective future developments.

The fourth edition of the acknowledged leading book on solar engineering, this volume presents the basics of solar energy, then goes on to cover the technologies used to harvest this solar energy, store it, and deliver it, including photovoltaics, solar heaters, and cells. The new edition features an added chapter discussing a simulation problem, allowing students to apply the theory to real world systems. Other simulation problems are offered via...

Defines energy and examines how energy from the sun provides us with heat, light, plants, food and other things necessary for life on Earth.