Dan Chiras

Power from the Sun - 2nd Edition

A Practical Guide to Solar Electricity - Revised 2nd Edition

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

Everything you need to know to power your home or small business - now fully revised and updated! When you need practical advice from a warm, smart and informed human being, Dan Chiras is the one to turn to. - BRUCE KING, PE Director, Ecological Building Network, and author, Buildings of Earth and Straw and Making Better Concrete ... a thorough and comprehensive compendium from the basics to the complex aspects of solar and the imperative to continue our conversion to a renewable energy powered economy ... - JOHN SCHAEFFER, founder and owner, Real Goods, and author, The Solar Living Sourcebook WRITTEN FOR THE LAYPERSON , this is the fully revised and updated guide for individuals and businesses interested in generating their own electricity using the sun. Practical and accessible, it provides a basic understanding of electricity, wiring, and solar energy, and guides the reader through site assessment and determining the type of system needed. This book provides a solid understanding of grid-tied and off-grid systems, and important guidelines on installation. Power from the Sun - 2nd Edition discusses types of PVs and PV systems, and includes comprehensive information on recent changes and improvements in PV modules, charge controllers, inverters, batteries, generators, and net metering policies. It offers an excellent overview of the many options available, allowing the reader to make the best choices for their individual situation during the design, installation, and operation of a solar electric system. The definitive guide for homeowners, business owners, installers, architects, and just about anyone interested in lowering energy bills while achieving greater energy independence. Dan Chiras is as reliable as a Swiss watch - once again he's created a text that's as accessible as it is informative. - ANN EDMINSTER, author, Energy Free: Homes for a Small Planet DAN CHIRAS is Director of the Center for Renewable Energy and Green building through which he teaches workshops on solar electricity, wind energy, passive solar design, natural building, and green building. He is also president of Sustainable Systems Design, Inc., a company that installs residential solar electric and wind energy systems and consults on passive solar design, residential renewable energy, and green building throughout North America. Dan is the author of 35 previous books, including The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy and Power from the Wind . To help bring you the very best inspiration and information about greener, more sustainable lifestyles, Mother Earth News is recommending select New Society Publishers books to its readers. This book is one of them.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: New Society Publishers
• 2nd Revised edition
• Seitenzahl: 320
• Erscheinungstermin: 5. Dezember 2016
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 224mm x 201mm x 20mm
• Gewicht: 648g
• ISBN-13: 9780865718296
• ISBN-10: 0865718296
• Artikelnr.: 44825591

Autorenporträt

Dan Chiras is Director of the Center for Renewable Energy and Green building through which he teaches workshops solar electricity, wind energy, passive solar design, natural building, and green building. He is also president of Sustainable Systems Design, Inc., a company that installs residential solar electric and wind energy systems and consults on passive solar design, residential renewable energy, and green building throughout North America. Dan is the author of 32 previous books, including The Homeowner¿s Guide to Renewable Energy and Power from the Wind.

Inhaltsangabe

1. An Introduction to Solar Electricity Understanding Rated Power An
Overview of Solar Systems World Solar Energy Resources What the Critics Say
The Advantages of Solar Electric Systems Purpose of this Book Organization
of this Book
2. Understanding the Sun and Solar Energy Understanding Solar Radiation The
Sun and the Earth: Understanding the Relationships Conclusion
3. Understanding Solar Electricity Brief History of PVs What Is a PV Cell?
Types of PV Rating PV Modules and Sizing PV Systems Durability and Fire
Resistance Advancements in PV: What's on the Horizon? Conclusion: Should
You Wait for the Latest, Greatest New Technology?
4. Solar Site Assessment Assessing Electrical Demand Conservation and
Efficiency First! Sizing a Solar Electric System Does a Solar Electric
System Make Economic Sense? Putting It All Together
5. Solar Electric Systems: What Are Your Options? Grid-connected PV Systems
Grid-connected Systems with Battery Backup Off-grid (Stand-alone) Systems
Hybrid Systems Choosing a PV System
6. Understanding Inverters Do You Need an Inverter? How Does an Inverter
Create AC Electricity? Transformerless Inverters Types of Inverters
Retrofitting a Grid-tied System with Batteries Buying an Inverter
Conclusion
7. Batteries, Charge Controllers, and Gen-sets Understanding Lead-acid
Batteries Sealed Batteries Wiring a Battery Bank Lithium Ion Batteries
Sizing a Battery Bank Battery Maintenance and Safety Managing Charge to
Ensure Longer Battery Life Charge Controllers Generators Living with
Batteries and Generators
8. Mounting a PV Array for Maximum Output What Are Your Options?
Building-mounted PV Arrays Building-integrated PVs Conclusion
9. Final Considerations: Permits, Covenants, Utility Interconnection, and
Buying a System Permitting a PV System Covenants and Neighborhood Concerns
Connecting to the Grid: Working with Your Local Utility Insurance
Requirements Buying a PV System Parting Thoughts
Appendix A: Summary of State Net Metering Policies Resource Guide Index
About the Author A Note About the Publisher