Solar Energy: An Introduction

The information in this book can be used to teach advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate students the fundamental science and engineering of solar energy technologies. It is written in a way that will allow the reader to generalize the information presented in the book rather than present a compendium of facts. A concise and detailed review of solar energy and its interaction with materials is first given followed by discussion of photovoltaic devices and solar thermal technologies like the solar chimney, solar (power) tower, flat plate water heater, and electricity generation. This is a broad and detailed presentation of information that can be used by the reader to understand existing solar energy related technologies or to design their own.