Solar Electricity Handbook - 2015 Edition: A simple, practical guide to solar energy - designing and installing solar PV systems.

by Michael Boxwell

The Solar Electricity Handbook - 2015 Edition, is a simple, practical guide to using electric solar panels and designing and installing photovoltaic PV systems.

Now in its ninth edition, the book assumes no previous knowledge of solar electric systems. The book explains how solar panels work and how they can be used. It explains the advantages of solar energy and the drawbacks that you need to take into account when designing a solar power system.

As well as explaining the underlying principles, it provides a step-by-step guide so that you can successfully design and install a photovoltaic solar system from scratch. Unlike many guides, The Solar Electricity Handbook explains the principles behind the technology, allowing the reader to design solar energy systems with confidence. The book has been used all around the world, designing systems as diverse as providing entire African villages with electricity, powering vending machines, building grid-tied systems for housing, building a one-off solar electric car and creating lighting for an allotment shed.

Accompanying the book is a website that provides solar calculators and online tools to help simplify the solar design process, including a unique database of sunlight values for every major town and city in every country in the world that has been created specifically for this book in conjunction with NASA.

Readers can also get in touch with the author directly to ask questions and get further support with their solar projects.

Why buy the Solar Electricity Handbook?

* The Handbook is a simple, practical guide to using electric photovoltaic panels.
* The book is suitable for enthusiastic novices for building professionals and architects learning about photovoltaics.
* Clear examples, diagrams and example projects are given to demonstrate the true capabilities of these systems.
* The Handbook is updated yearly, providing a up-to-date reference for anyone planning to use electric photovoltaic technology.
* It is the most comprehensive book on solar electric systems available today.
* It is backed up by the most powerful online calculator tools available, to make your design and calculations as straightforward as possible.
* With comprehensive detail in the book for both North America and Europe, the Handbook provides you with information that is relevant to you and your project - wherever you live.

Genres: Nonfiction

326 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[John Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains a reasonable amount of basic information but is really pitched at someone wanting to build a small, off-grid system for a shed or vacation home. There is also a lot of useful information in the appendices and the web site. A new edition comes out every year.

[Stanislaw Dudzikowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative of how solar works in basic terms as well as the scientific, and technical side.
Learning more about photons, radiation, silicon cells, voltage, currents, and resistance has helped me understand how a residential solar system works in depth. There are many variables to consider with any solar system (grid-tie, off-grid, etc.) and its components which the author explained in detail. There are many diagrams, and charts that give examples of several countries and states that show averages things like "temperature impact on solar performance in Austin, Texas during the summer months.

I enjoyed the sections on carbon footprints, renewable vs renewable with nonrenewable or electric back up being the grid. If you want to learn more about solar read this book, there's also some general information regarding purchasing solar, and some of the countries governments that are incentiving changes to solar with things like tax breaks, selling back to the grid and more.


Stanislaw Dudzikowski

[Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael does an outstanding job of explaining solar power and how to set it up at your house. He takes a difficult subject and explains it so well. I read it twice, taking notes. A 'Ten' for sure. Borderline 'Eleven'!

[Mick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly basic but covers most everything you'll need to know about setting up a system. It won't help you understand DC electrics or even give you a step-by-step guide to building one. But as far as the planning stages, it is everything you need.

[Лариса Косюк · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a good book for people who are slightly familiar with the topic. A lot of general information and some detailed guidance will help to figure out how to capture solar energy and transform it into electricity to be used.

[Andreas Michaelides · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because it took a subject which for many people is science fiction and turn it into a book that is simple to follow and understand. I helped me understand what it involves to know to be able to install a solar electrical grid and also learn what to look for as materials and components is concerned. Very good book, I think another title for this book would be, Solar Electricity Handbook for Dummies.

[Georgina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note to DIY folks who are not licensed electricians: You cannot build your own solar cells and attach them to your house. It would be foolish and dangerous to try. Instead, use this book to design a solar electrical system that will suit your needs, buy a system from a reputable dealer, and have a licensed electrician install it.

[Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for what it is: a practical manual that, in good-natured and accessible fashion, explains both the basic concepts of solar power and gives detailed instructions about how to set up your own on- or off-grid solar power solution. I recommend it to anyone with any interest in solar energy.

[Smellsofbikes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Competent comprehensive review of solar installations and design.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was very wordy without a lot of diagrams. I wouldn't pick it up again, but I'm sure it has a lot of info.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very thorough and detailed book. Good explanations that were easy for a technically minded person to understand, but somewhat repetitive due to the book structure that was used.

[Aasim Waheed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good detail; touches a lot of topics. I preferred "Photovoltaic Design and Installation for Dummies"