This book provides a comprehensive overview of the technology behind the pico-solar revolution and offers guidance on how to test and choose quality products. The book also discusses how pioneering companies and initiatives are overcoming challenges to reach scale in the marketplace, from innovative distribution strategies to reach customers in rural India and Tanzania, to product development in Cambodia, product assembly in Mozambique and the introduction of ‘pay as you go’ technology in Kenya. Pico-solar is a new category of solar electric system which has the potential to transform the lives of over 1.6 billion people who live without access to electricity. Pico-solar systems are smaller and more affordable than traditional solar systems and have the power to provide useful amounts of electricity to charge the increasing number of low power consuming appliances from mobile phones, e-readers and parking metres, to LED lights which have the power to light up millions of homes in the same way the mobile phone has connected and empowered communities across the planet. The book explains the important role pico-solar has in reducing reliance on fossil fuels while at the same time tackling world poverty and includes useful recommendations for entrepreneurs, charities and governments who want to participate in developing this exciting and rapidly expanding market.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the technology behind the pico-solar revolution and offers guidance on how to test and choose quality products. The book also discusses how pioneering companies and initiatives are overcoming challenges to reach scale in the marketplace, from innovative distribution strategies to reach customers in rural India and Tanzania, to product development in Cambodia, product assembly in Mozambique and the introduction of ‘pay as you go’ technology in Kenya. Pico-solar is a new category of solar electric system which has the potential to transform the lives of over 1.6 billion people who live without access to electricity. Pico-solar systems are smaller and more affordable than traditional solar systems and have the power to provide useful amounts of electricity to charge the increasing number of low power consuming appliances from mobile phones, e-readers and parking metres, to LED lights which have the power to light up millions of homes in the same way the mobile phone has connected and empowered communities across the planet. The book explains the important role pico-solar has in reducing reliance on fossil fuels while at the same time tackling world poverty and includes useful recommendations for entrepreneurs, charities and governments who want to participate in developing this exciting and rapidly expanding market.

Concerns about energy resources and the environmental impact of energy use will continue to be important globally. World Scientific's unique series of books on Current Energy Issues is intended, in part, as an expansion and update of the material contained in the World Scientific Handbook of Energy. Each volume will focus on related energy resources or issues and will contain a broader range of topics with more explanatory text.This Solar Energy volume covers a variety of approaches to the use of solar energy. These include large scale photovoltaic production of electricity as well as more local applications in the home and businesses. Similarly, there is an extensive discussion of large scale solar thermal electricity production and smaller scale uses such as solar water heating, home heating and cooling plus crop drying. There is also discussion of more forward-looking technologies including the production of fuels using artificial photosynthesis and the production of biomass.

After the near depletion of non-renewable energy resources, human returned again to search for renewable sources, especially the sun as a clean and free energy source. In line with the global trend in optimizing the benefit of solar energy. This book aims to:- study solar energy as an important source of renewable energy, highlight its various applications, help the students of engineering and basic science colleges as well as all how interested in solar energy. This book contains 12 chapters dealing with the concepts of solar energy, solar radiation, as well as the physics of solar cells and their various types which based on amorphous- and crystalline-silicon, thin films ones. The book also highlighted various types of PV systems, condensation and aggregation solar thermal techniques, as well as energy storage technologies using photoelectrochemical cells.

Hundreds of million tonnes of agricultural and food waste are produced each year around the world, most of which is just that, waste. Anaerobic digestion, biogas and the heat and electricity that can be produced from it is still a nascent industry in many countries, yet the benefits of AD spread throughout the community: Gives good financial returns to farmers and eco-entrepreneurs. Helps community leaders meet various policies and legislative targets. Offers an environmentally sensitive waste disposal option. Provides a local heat and power supply, & creates employment opportunities Reduces greenhouse gas emissions, as well as providing an organic fertilizer. Although the process of AD itself is relatively simple there are several system options available to meet the demands of different feedstocks. This book describes, in simple, easy to read language the five common systems of AD; how they work, the impact of scale, the basic requirements, the costs and financial implications, and how to get involved in this rapidly growing green industry.

The comprehensive and authoritative guide to power electronics in renewable energy systems Power electronics plays a significant role in modern industrial automation and high- efficiency energy systems. With contributions from an international group of noted experts, Power Electronics in Renewable Energy Systems and Smart Grid: Technology and Applications offers a comprehensive review of the technology and applications of power electronics in renewable energy systems and smart grids. The authors cover information on a variety of energy systems including wind, solar, ocean, and geothermal energy systems as well as fuel cell systems and bulk energy storage systems. They also examine smart grid elements, modeling, simulation, control, and AI applications. The book's twelve chapters offer an application-oriented and tutorial viewpoint and also contain technology status review. In addition, the book contains illustrative examples of applications and discussions of future perspectives. This important resource: Includes descriptions of power semiconductor devices, two level and multilevel converters, HVDC systems, FACTS, and more Offers discussions on various energy systems such as wind, solar, ocean, and geothermal energy systems, and also fuel cell systems and bulk energy storage systems Explores smart grid elements, modeling, simulation, control, and AI applications Contains state-of-the-art technologies and future perspectives Provides the expertise of international authorities in the field Written for graduate students, professors in power electronics, and industry engineers, Power Electronics in Renewable Energy Systems and Smart Grid: Technology and Applications offers an up-to-date guide to technology and applications of a wide-range of power electronics in energy systems and smart grids.

This book offers methods to improve energy access and support social and economic development through the appropriate and reliable design of isolated wind energy systems. The findings reported on wind based isolated power generation show that the proper match of turbine diameter and generator rating is vital, and is governed by the site wind resource and the load profile to be served. The methodology for sizing and selecting appropriate system parameters, taking into account the resource uncertainty, is demonstrated throughout the chapters of this monograph. Readers will discover information on the methodologies for modelling, design and optimization of the systems in terms of safety, functionality, longevity, and practicality. Details are provided on the design space of wind-battery systems, multiple wind generator systems, and wind-PV-battery hybrids to cover all the bases of isolated wind energy systems. This monograph aims to serve as a guide to system developers, manufacturers, and financing institutions on the design aspects of isolated wind energy systems.