This easy-to-follow text is designed to take an extremely "non-technical" student with zero background in solar PV, and literally teach them how to design and install a variety of residential PV systems.

The new edition of this thoroughly considered textbook provides a reliable, accessible and comprehensive guide for students of photovoltaic applications and renewable energy engineering. Written by a group of award-winning authors it is brimming with information and is carefully designed to meet the needs of its readers. Along with exercises and references at the end of each chapter, it features a set of detailed technical appendices that provide essential equations, data sources and standards. The new edition has been fully updated with the latest information on photovoltaic cells, modules, applications and policy. Starting from basics with 'The Characteristics of Sunlight' the reader is guided step-by-step through semiconductors and p-n junctions; the behaviour of solar cells; cell properties and design; and PV cell interconnection and module fabrication. The book covers stand-alone photovoltaic systems; specific purpose photovoltaic systems; remote area power supply systems; grid-connected photovoltaic systems and water pumping. Applied Photovoltaics is highly illustrated and very accessible, providing the reader with all the information needed to start working with photovoltaics.

Concise introduction to the basic principles of solar energy, photovoltaic (PV) systems, PV cells, PV measurement techniques, and grid connected systems, overviewing the potential of PV electricity for students and engineers new to the topic Starting with the basic principles of solar energy, this practical text explains the fundamentals of semiconductor physics and the structure and functioning of the solar cell. It describes current measurement techniques for solar modules, and the planning and operation of grid-connected and off-grid PV systems. Key features: clarifies the technical and economic perspectives of PV energy generation, whilst providing an overview on the current economic status discusses the future development of PV, including efficient promotion instruments and price development each chapter contains various exercises and descriptive examples, with operation results from concrete PV plants an accompanying website hosting exercise solutions, links to further PV references, and free downloads of the figures and additional software www.textbook-pv.org This is an essential text for renewable energy students, technicians and engineers wanting to know how solar cells work and how to design a complete PV plant. It is also a useful resource for PV installers, planners, operators, consultants, financers, potential energy investors and politicians.

Solar energy is a substantial global industry, one that has generated trade disputes among superpowers, threatened the solvency of large energy companies, and prompted serious reconsideration of electric utility regulation rooted in the 1930s. One of the biggest payoffs from solar’s success is not the clean inexpensive electricity it can produce, but the lessons it provides for innovation in other technologies needed to address climate change. Despite the large literature on solar, including analyses of increasingly detailed datasets, the question as to how solar became inexpensive and why it took so long still remains unanswered. Drawing on developments in the US, Japan, Germany, Australia, and China, this book provides a truly comprehensive and international explanation for how solar has become inexpensive. Understanding the reasons for solar’s success enables us to take full advantage of solar’s potential. It can also teach us how to support other low-carbon technologies with analogous properties, including small modular nuclear reactors and direct air capture. However, the urgency of addressing climate change means that a key challenge in applying the solar model is in finding ways to speed up innovation. Offering suggestions and policy recommendations for accelerated innovation is another key contribution of this book. This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of energy technology and innovation, climate change and energy analysis and policy, as well as practitioners and policymakers working in the existing and emerging energy industries.

By mid-century, renewable energy must cover all of our energy supply if we are to phase out nuclear and successfully stop climate change. Now updated and expanded, the 2nd edition of this textbook covers the full range of renewable energy systems and now also includes such current trends as solar power storage, power-to-gas technologies, and the technology paths needed for a successful and complete energy transition. The topics are treated in a holistic manner, bringing together maths, engineering, climate studies and economics, and enabling readers to gain a broad understanding of renewable energy technologies and their potential.Numerous examples are provided for calculations, and graphics help visualize the various technologies and mathematical methodologies. Understanding Renewable Energy Systems is an ideal companion for students of renewable energy at universities or technical colleges on courses such as renewable energy, electrical engineering, engineering technology, physics, process engineering, building engineering, environment, applied mechanics and mechanical engineering, as well as scientists and engineers in research and industry.

Photovoltaic Power System: Modelling, Design and Control is an essential reference with a practical approach to photovoltaic (PV) power system analysis and control. It systematically guides readers through PV system design, modelling, simulation, maximum power point tracking and control techniques making this invaluable resource to students and professionals progressing from different levels in PV power engineering. The development of this book follows the author's 15-year experience as an electrical engineer in the PV engineering sector and as an educator in academia. It provides the background knowledge of PV power system but will also inform research direction. Key features: Details modern converter topologies and a step-by-step modelling approach to simulate and control a complete PV power system. Introduces industrial standards, regulations, and electric codes for safety practice and research direction. Covers new classification of PV power systems in terms of the level of maximum power point tracking. Contains practical examples in designing grid-tied and standalone PV power systems. Matlab codes and Simulink models featured on a Wiley hosted book companion website.