Book DescriptionProducing electricity from the sun using photovoltaic (PV) systems has become a major industry worldwide. But designing, installing and maintaining such systems requires knowledge and training, and there have been few easily accessible, comprehensive guides to the subject. Now, with Photovoltaics: Design and Installation Manual, a world-class solar energy training and education provider-Solar Energy International (SEI)-has made available the critical information to successfully design, install and maintain PV systems. The book contains an overview of photovoltaic electricity and a detailed description of PV system components, including PV modules, batteries, controllers and inverters. It also includes chapters on sizing photovoltaic systems, analyzing sites and installing PV systems, as well as detailed appendices on PV system maintenance, troubleshooting and solar insolation data for over 300 sites around the world. Used worldwide as the textbook in SEI's PV Design & Installation workshops, topics covered include:
Photovoltaics guarantees that those wanting to learn the skills of tapping the sun's energy can do so with confidence. Solar Energy International (SEI) has the nonprofit mission to respond to the need for renewable energy education. Based in Carbondale, Colorado, and active around the world, SEI is a link between people and renewable energy resources, providing information, education and training to people who want to shape a sustainable future. SEI is recognized by the National Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) as dedicated independent provider of PV training programs that may be used toward attaining PV certification. Also, SEI is recognized as an Accredited Institution to offer PV training by the Institute for Sustainable Power (ISP). About the AuthorSolar Energy International (SEI), from Carbondale, CO, is a non-profit that trains adults and youth in renewable energy and environmental building technologies. Since 1991, SEI has taught thousands of individuals from 12 US states and around the world, pioneering a hands-on approach acknowledged as the benchmark for renewable energy education and training. SEI staff are avid solar enthusiasts with decades of experience in passive solar design & construction, solar hot water, wind and micro-hydro power, solar cooking, and natural house building. |
Book DescriptionPassive solar heating and passive cooling?approaches known as natural conditioning?provide comfort throughout the year by reducing, or eliminating, the need for fossil fuel. Yet while heat from sunlight and ventilation from breezes is free for the taking, few modern architects or builders really understand the principles involved. Now Dan Chiras, author of the popular book "The Natural House," brings those principles up to date for a new generation of solar enthusiasts. In "The Solar House," Chiras sets the record straight on the vast potential for passive heating and cooling. Acknowledging the good intentions of misguided solar designers in the past, he highlights certain egregious erros and shows how to avoid them. More importantly, Chiras explains in methodical detail how today?s home builders can succeed with solar designs. Readers will learn:- How to select a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly backup heating system. - how to preserve indoor air quality in an airtight, energy-efficient home. - ways of employing green building materials in a naturally conditioned home. About the AuthorDaniel D. Chiras is the author of "The Natural House" (Chelsea Green, 2000). He holds a Ph.D. in physiology and teaches courses on sustainability and environmental health at the universities of Colorado and Denver. He is the author of five college and high school text books as well as other books on global environmental issues. Chiras is also an avid musician, organic gardener, river runner, and bicyclist. He lives with his family in a passive solar / solar electric, straw bale, and rammed tire house in Evergreen, Colorado. |
Publisher"Among the country?s leading designers of solar homes." Book DescriptionSolar electricity is the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity by solar photovoltaic cells. It is a truly elegant means of producing electricity on site, allowing you to take control of your energy destiny and create your own lifestyle without concern for energy supply or environmental harm. No pollution, no by-products, no depletion of resources, these solid-state devices simply make electricity out of sunlight. Solar electricity is the ideal source of power for an environmentally-responsive home where it?s a luxury residence or a rustic vacation retreat. With the right design, the sunlight that falls on your homesite will power your home. Your solar electric system can also be easily configured to provide on-site recharging of solar/electric vehicles allowing you to meet your transportation needs with renewable energy. The Solar Electric House will tell you everything you need to know to decide if photovoltaics are for you, including: Systems options and economics Stand-alone and utility interactive systems Descriptions of all key components How to determine your electricity requirements How to design a solar electric house About the AuthorSteven J. Strong is president of Solar Design Associates, Inc. of Harvard, Massachusetts. He has designed more than 100 photovoltaic systems including the world?s first solar electric neighborhood of 30 PV-powered hoes in the Town of Gardner, Massachusetts. In the early 1970s, while serving as an engineer consultant on the Alaskan Pipeline, he realized that going to the ends of the earth to extract the last drop of fossil fuel was not the answer to our long-term energy needs. In 1974, he founded Solar Design Associates to specialize in environmentally responsive building design and the engineering and integration of sustainable energy systems. Table of Contents
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Book DescriptionRevised and Expanded Edition?Includes CD-ROM with Custom Design Software For the past ten years The Passive Solar House has offered proven techniques for building homes that heat and cool themselves, using readily available materials and methods familiar to all building contractors and many do-it-yourself homeowners. True to this innovative, straightforward approach, the new edition of this best-selling guide includes CSOL passive solar design software, making it easier than ever to heat your home with the power of the sun. Since The Passive Solar House was first published, passive solar construction expert James Kachadorian has perfected user-friendly, PC-compatible software to help readers analyze the efficiency of their passive solar house designs and the solar potential of their current homes or building sites. This is the building book for a world of climbing energy costs. Applicable to diverse regions, climates, budgets, and styles of architecture, Kachadorian?s techniques translate the essentials of timeless solar design into practical wisdom for today?s solar builders. Profiles of successful passive solar design, construction, and retrofit projects from readers of the first edition provide inspiration to first-time homebuilders and renovators alike. About the AuthorJames Kachadorian is a civil engineer with degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He is the founder of Green Mountain Homes, which has gained national recognition as the first provider of innovative, manufactured solar homes. He has built more than three hundred passive solar homes, including his own home in Woodstock, Vermont. |
Book DescriptionThe coming energy crisis caused by a peak in global oil and natural gas production will profoundly affect the lives of all North Americans. As the price of these vital fuels rises, homeowners will scramble to cut their fuel bills. Two options for meeting the upcoming challenge are dramatic improvements in home energy efficiency and efforts to tap into clean, affordable, renewable energy resources to heat and cool homes, to provide hot water and electricity, and even to cook. These measures can result in huge savings and a level of energy independence. The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy tells you how. It starts by outlining the likely impacts of fossil fuel shortages and some basic facts about energy. It then discusses energy conservation to slash energy bills and prepare for renewable energy options. Focusing carefully on specific strategies needed to replace specific fuels, the book then examines each practical energy option available to homeowners:
The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy gives readers sufficient knowledge to hire and communicate effectively with contractors and, for those wanting do installations themselves, it recommends more detailed manuals. With a complete resource listing, this well-illustrated and accessible guide is a perfect companion for illuminating the coming dark age. Dan Chiras has studied renewable energy and energy efficiency for three decades and has installed several renewable energy systems. He lives in a self-designed passive solar/solar electric home. An award-winning author of over 20 books, he is a sustainability design consultant who teaches courses on renewable energy, green building, and sustainability at Colorado College. About the AuthorDan Chiras is an award-winning author of over 20 books on environmental issues, natural building and sustainability. A sustainability design consultant, he teaches courses on renewable energy, green building and sustainability at Colorado College. He has studied renewable energy and energy efficiency for 30 years, and written articles on solar energy for homes in Natural Home, Mother Earth News, and The Last Straw. |
Book DescriptionCovering the full life span of the project, from siting issues through specific design features to maintenance of the property and equipment, this is a comprehensive guide to designing, planning and building a solar house. The author uses his experience of living in a solar house to inform the reader of the technology and practices needed for the design, operation and maintenance of the solar home. Each of the technologies of the house, such as space heating and cooling, domestic hot water and electric power technologies, are critiqued from the point of view of the owner/resident, with the author using his thirty years experience of living in a solar home. This provides home owners who are thinking of going solar with first hand evidence of best practice, and provides the architect and designer with the knowledge of how to best satisfy their clients needs.
About the AuthorDr Galloway is a chemical engineer with 34 eyars experience, covering environmental protectection and the advanced energy conversion process. His experience of living and designing his own Solar Energy House informs his knowledge of ecologically-friendly architecture. Dr Galloway currently works for TGN-Intellergy, a company that specializes in developing new green technology. Table of Contents
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From the PublisherThe book was written and published in 1991, and is presently in many public libraries and book stores scattered throughout a dozen states. The book deals with the problems of Government legislation to preserve air quality, climate, site and, of course, the sun. Book DescriptionThe book includes the newest and most practical guide on Free Passive Solar Heat and storage of it in a super-energy-efficient home. The easy-to-understand information and illustrations address America's serious concerns: environmental and air-pollution; as well as concepts to lower every family's utility bill. Incorporates super-energy concepts that deviate from traditional design. Replaces the costly fossil fuel that heats most homes, causes pollution and real "greenhouse effect" warming. Cuts heating costs over 50% and contributes to a sustainable environment. About the AuthorErwin Kubsch, the author is an engineer whose experience with the energy crunch of the early 70's was a reality. He made up his mind to do something about the sudden shortage and rapid price rise of petroleum energy fuels. His extensive research for alternative heating fuels and conservation of them led to his design of the super-energy efficient Sunstore House. He chose to build it in northern Wyoming where the winters are more severe and unfriendly. He knew fossil fuels will, by extraction and depletion be gone forever. In addition, their use contributes to CO2 emission and earth warming. More sensible fuel must be a renewable source that will preserve a sustainable pollution-free environment. His book "Home Owners Guide to Free Heat" is the sum of concepts in this super energy efficient home of today and the future. It will always comply with government regulations that help preserve air quality and reduce global warming now a concern of everyones. Over 20 years of research and development by the author is the creation of the Sunstore House that has aesthetic appeal, is super energy effecient and relies on renewable radiant fuel that will be here forever. |