Direct Use of the Sun’s Energy

by Farrington Daniels

While the development of atomic power holds great promise for the future as a replacement for fossil fuels that are rapidly being depleted, the underdeveloped countries have a particularly vital and immediate interest in devising low-cost sources of energy. Mr. Daniels has spent many years studying the possibilities of converting the sun’s rays into mechanical and electrical power, and in this volume he covers all aspects of the subject of solar energy. Without stressing mathematical and engineering details (though including complete references to the sources of this kind of information), he describes the full range of the experimental work involving collectors of solar radiation, cooking and heating water, agricultural and industrial drying, storage of heat, solar furnaces and engines, cooking and refrigeration, and photochemical conversion.

404 pages, Paperback

First published March 11, 1964

Reviews

[Joshua]

Despite being written in 1964, there is nothing fundamentally missing from this book. If one takes a look at "Solar Energy" and similar journals, people are still working on the same basic ideas for solar heating, refrigeration, stills, etc.

In that sense, it is rather disappointing how little progress has been made. On the other hand, the slim chapter on photovoltaics, which indicates a price of $175/watt has probably advanced the most (remember, this is in 1964 dollars, so that is about $1750/watt in 2010 dollars...), which is truly remarkable. No basic theoretical improvement, just 45 years of good engineering and Moore's law.

Perhaps the exotic super-materials that everyone is making these days may revitalize some of the other proposals.

[David Cerruti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life, in some small ways. It's technical, but a college education isn't necessary for understanding. It was published in 1964, and is still valid. I'm amazed at how much progress we have made, and have not made.