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36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
An excellent book on solar power
As a newbie to solar power, I was worried that this book would be too technical for me, but I have been pleasantly surprised. I bought this book along with another one and this is definately the best for its clear descriptions, level of detail and general readability.
The book gives a lot of practical advice and from the very beginning it is obvious that the...
Published 11 months ago by Andy Hayes
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10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
A bit confusing...
While this book does have some good information, the author has an unfortunate habit of shifting between various monetary and measurement scales. He will go from British pounds to American dollars, from kilograms to lbs. to "stone" (Whatever that is!! I never have figured that one out!) and sometimes he'll do it all in the same paragraph.
I grew up with a...
Published 8 months ago by Bob the Builder
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36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
An excellent book on solar power, September 1, 2009
This review is from: The Solar Electricity Handbook 2009: A Simple, Practical Guide to Using Electric Solar Panels and Designing and Installing Photovoltaic Solar PV Systems (Paperback)
As a newbie to solar power, I was worried that this book would be too technical for me, but I have been pleasantly surprised. I bought this book along with another one and this is definately the best for its clear descriptions, level of detail and general readability.
The book gives a lot of practical advice and from the very beginning it is obvious that the author knows what he is talking about. The book covers the subject very well and I feel confident that I will be able to install my off-grid solar electric system easily based on the practical experience shown in this book. The authors web site also provides a lot of really useful information including a superb project calculator that should be the first stop for anyone considering solar power.
Highly recommended.
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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
This is what a solar energy book should be!, September 22, 2009
This review is from: The Solar Electricity Handbook 2009: A Simple, Practical Guide to Using Electric Solar Panels and Designing and Installing Photovoltaic Solar PV Systems (Paperback)
"The Solar Electricity Handbook 2009" is a small size but very comprehensive book on solar energy.
Many of the existing books on solar energy just talk around the subject but do not give you any real substance. "The Solar Electricity Handbook 2009" is different: It gives you all the information you need in plain and simple English. It covers introduction to solar energy, designing solar electric systems (calculating solar energy, surveying your site, component selection and costing, detailed design, installation, trouble shooting, maintaining your system, etc. It includes 2 sections (10 chapters), a very detail "Table of Contents" so you can locate the information you need quickly, and very useful appendixes: Information on related support website, Table of Solar Insolation and Table of Latitude and Sun Height for most if not all of the cities in North America and the UK (I can even find the small city in California that I lives in on the Table), Typical Power Requirements for household and office appliances and devices, Information on Living Off Grid and Other Solar Projects, and a helpful Index at the end.
"The Solar Electricity Handbook 2009" has 150 pages and some simple and straight-forward line diagrams. It gives you most if not all the information you need to design and install your own solar system. It is what a solar energy book should be!
Gang Chen, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Author of "LEED GA Exam Guide," "Architectural Practice Simplified," "Planting Design Illustrated," and other books on various LEED exams, architecture, and landscape architecture
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20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
A wonderfully direct and helpful book, July 31, 2009
This review is from: The Solar Electricity Handbook 2009: A Simple, Practical Guide to Using Electric Solar Panels and Designing and Installing Photovoltaic Solar PV Systems (Paperback)
I love this book! The information is unbiased and to the point. It explains what solar electricity systems are currently available and how they work. It lists the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy components and systems and walks you through how to select, cost, implement and maintain the best system for your needs.
It's associated web site provides nifty calculators which do all the complicated math for you.
It explains electricity and solar electricity so simply and concisely that I am planning to use it to teach my 10 year old daughter about electricity.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
Great Introduction to Solar Power, September 28, 2009
This review is from: The Solar Electricity Handbook 2009: A Simple, Practical Guide to Using Electric Solar Panels and Designing and Installing Photovoltaic Solar PV Systems (Paperback)
This book is a great introductory book for someone thinking about taking on a small to medium size solar project. The book starts from fundamentals and does not assume any prior knowledge. It clearly explains theoretical concepts which are required later to help the designer.
For a solar project to be successful a considerable amount of thinking and planning needs to be done up front. The author leads the reader through the design process and discusses the various options that a designer is presented with. Attempting to make decisions without this information could prove to be very expensive making the book a complete bargain. The book uses the example of a vacation house installation to explain how decisions could be made for a particular project.
In addition to the design and installation guidance, the book includes quite a bit of useful data for the US and UK reader.
- Solar Insulation values
- Latitude and Sun height charts
- Typical Power Consumption figures
In conclusion, the book is an excellent purchase for anyone contemplating taking on a solar electricity project. The information is presented clearly and is well organised. It is not intimidating for the beginner but also provides useful reference information for the more experienced.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
Great PV Resource!, February 8, 2010
I wanted to learn more about photovoltaic panels so I bought this book. I found the book simple and interesting to read with the concepts well explained. As an Architect, I appreciated the thoroughness leading to ready evaluation and possible application to my own projects.
I was a little hesitant about the author being based in the UK with different power systems and a locale different than here in the USA, but he did an admirable job of provding information relevant to both sides of the Atlantic.
Very pleased with this purchase. I certainly recommend it.
D. Thomson
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
Very Good, February 7, 2010
English
This is a great book, it explain how to begin a installation , and what Solar Cells and other stuff is necesary.
I live in Costa Rica , so a write to Michael for some data , and in a few day y send it back , so he really help to the people !
Español
Vivo en Costa Rica y aqui no son comunes los libres de la nergia solar.Michael te explica todos los detalles basico y da un ejemplo real , pero lo más importante , cuando le escribi para que me pasara unos datos , me envio la respuesta de una forma muy rapida , est me dio una gran impresion de él y además actualizo la pagino con los datos de energia sola para las principales ciudades de Costa Rica , gracias Michael !!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Pretty darned cool!, December 23, 2009
This review is from: The Solar Electricity Handbook 2009: A Simple, Practical Guide to Using Electric Solar Panels and Designing and Installing Photovoltaic Solar PV Systems (Paperback)
I bought this book for my boyfriend after much searching. He liked it! He found it informative, well written and to the point. We've built an off the grid mountain cabin and want to incorporate solar for heat and power. The charts and wiring diagrams are incredibly helpful.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Solar Electric Handbook 2010, February 13, 2010
Great book! If you're looking to get into the solar powered world, this book is an excellent place to start. In fact, I read it twice to make sure I didn't miss any details. Yes, the author is based out of UK, but it isn't a big deal. It helps if you have somewhat of a scientific background (if you understand electrical power, voltage, current, and how they relate, you are fine).
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Money well spent, January 21, 2010
This review is from: The Solar Electricity Handbook 2009: A Simple, Practical Guide to Using Electric Solar Panels and Designing and Installing Photovoltaic Solar PV Systems (Paperback)
Nice book, very easy to read and contains a very good amount of useful information.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
WHY I LIKED THIS BOOK ABOVE THE OTHERS I BOUGHT, May 24, 2010
THE BOOK IS RECENT
IF YOU NEED TO LEARN ABOUT TODAY'S STUFF DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON A BOOK THAT IS NOT A CURRENT YEAR AS WELL AS A FIRST EDITION.
THIS BOOK EXPLAINS THE BASICS YOU NEED TO KNOW IF YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE A SYSTEM FOR YOUR OWN USE REGARDLESS OF HOW LARGE OR HOW SMALL.
READ AND OUTLINE THE BOOK AND IF YOU COME ACROSS SOMETHING YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND GO TO THE INTERNET AND FIND OUT WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE GOING FARTHER.
YOU BUY THE BOOK TO LEARN AND THIS BOOK IS THE BEST STARTING POINT I HAVE EVER SEEN.
KEEP IN MIND THAT THE WORDS "STARTING POINT" APPLY TO TODAY AND NOT TOMORROW. TOMORROW IS ANOTHER BOOK HOPEFULLY BY THE SAME GUY WHO TOOK THE CARE THAT WAS DONE IN THIS ONE.
INSTRUCTION SHEETS WRITTEN BY ENGINEERS ARE USUALLY WORTHLESS AS THEY TOO OFTEN ASSUME THAT YOU KNOW AS MUCH ABOUT THE SUBJECT AS THEY DO.
(GERMAN FACTORY MANUALS FOR MY PORSCH COST OVER $400 NO MATTER HOW YOU BUY THEM AND YOU CAN SEE THE TECH WRITERS SNEERING AT YOU)
THE BEST MANUALS WERE EDITED BY PEOPLE WHO KNEW NOTHING ABOUT ANYTHING AND GOT THE PROBLEMS FIXED.
THE WRITER OF THIS BOOK IS A THOUGHTFUL PERSON. IT WILL NEVER GET BETTER THAN THAT.
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