Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #277963 in Books
• Published on: 2002-11-28
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

Synopsis
Demand for solar power has grown consistently by 20 to 25% per annum over the past 20 years. In the past few years this rate has actually climbed to 40%. Why? Advances in solar cells, lower costs of using solar power, unpredictable utility rates, consumer frustration with the lack of utility choices, and environmental issues have all converged to create a renewed interest in and rising demand for solar power. Over 25 states, and many more municipalities, are now offering tax and utility credits to those who use solar energy. The Complete Idiot's GuideA (R) to Solar Power for Your Home will show average readers how to generate their own electricity with solar panels. The book will cover everything short of how to physically install solar panels-something that should be left to the experts.

Customer Reviews

Too thin
This book isn't enough to actually inform the reader sufficiently well to implement a solar power system. It serves as an introduction, and if you're getting a contractor to do all the design and installation for you, this book might be enough to serve as an explaination of what the vendor is talking about. However, if you actually want to design, build and/or install, look elsewhere. For solar water heating I recommend looking at the zigzag collector paper by Bart Deuss. For an details on solar electricity, vendors' (such as Xantrex) web sites provide plenty of free information that is far more detailed than that which you will find in this Idiot's Guide.

Jolly good show
This book is the first rung on the ladder for those wishing to become involved with P.V (solar) power supllies. It is aimed at an audience with little or no knowledge of power supply systems and how they work. The layout of the book is very good also. It covers several aspects of alternative energy supplies, briefly going through wind/hydro powered generators and many applications of use for P.V panels. The book is cross referenced so you can just read the parts that apply to your interests, each chapter will refer you to other chapters that cover the same aspects.
The only problem is that it is written for a north American audience only, so some of the information does not apply to the R.O.W (rest of world).
If anyone has an interset in alternative power supplies i would recommend this book to begin with. We have to face facts that fossil fuels are going to run out, probably within our lifetimes, so its time to start using a responsible alternative.