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Book Reviews
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Photovoltaics: Design and Installation Manual
(Solar Energy International, 2004, 317 pp., $60.00)
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THE BEST PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM TRAINING MANUAL HAS GONE PUBLIC
If you have an interest in how solar electric power is produced and applied, you can now get most of your curiosity satisfied by one new source. Solar Energy International’s newest publication, PHOTOVOLTAICS is out and is making a great impression in communities across the country. This new manual is the most complete single source on PV Systems that is on the market today. There are a number of companies in the solar industry that offer various types of instruction or training, most-often required by the industry in order to sell their products direct. Some of the courses are often very technical and may require previous electronics experience. Others can be found to be too vague on installation procedure or troubleshooting. The new SEI manual is the most complete text of its kind, to date, and has already received acclaim from many solar organizations and instructors.
The manual takes a good look at photovoltaic electricity, system components, site analysis and array-mounting practices, understanding component specifications, the basics of electricity, safety issues, system cost and payback estimates, and typical hardware uses and installation methods. The book also devotes large sections on sizing PV for various types of applications, including stand-alone systems, PV/generator hybrid systems, and utility-interactive systems.
On a personal note, I was particularly pleased with the index, which makes-up a third of the book. Included are data specs on solar radiation for about 300 sites from around the world. Also, there is a long list of organizations, institutions, books, publications, web sites, and videos, with leads to industry products and consultants. I am also pleased to point out that throughout the entire manual, there is not one reference or preference to any brand name product or component. The only special interest made obvious in this publication is SEI’s desire to educate people about power from the sun, and they have done a very good job of that.
Rick Beaumont has a background in building and ranch management, and is presently studying to become a PV Systems Design Engineer. Rick says, "Lets bring the national solar energy fair to the Paso Robles Fairgrounds!" You can reach him at rickbboogie@yahoo.com
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