Solar technologies for the 21st century

✍ Scribed by Blazev, Anco S

• Publisher: The Fairmont Press, Inc
• Year: 2013
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 725
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This book examines solar technologies, describes their properties, and evaluates the technological potential of each. It also reviews the logistics of deploying solar energy as a viable and sustainable way to solve urgent energy, environmental, and socio-economic problems. Topics discussed include solar power generation, today’s solar technologies, solar thermal, silicon PV, thin PV, 3-D solar cells, nano-PV, organic solar cells, solar successes and failures, solar power fields, finance and regulations, solar markets and solar energy and the environment.

✦ Table of Contents

Content: Solar Energy Solar power generation basics Sunlight basics and key concepts Solar energy availability and use Solar cells and modules Today's Solar Technologies Solar thermal and thermoelectric power Today's PV technologies Silicon based solar materials, cells and modules Polysilicon Solar cells c-Si PV modules Thin film technologies The major thin film technologies Concentrating PV technology Hybrid technologies New and developing solar technologies Most Promising Solar Technologies Solar thermal technologies Photovoltaic technologies Silicon PV technologies Thin film PV technologies Promising technologies CPV and HCPV technologies Achievements of PV technologies Most promising materials Hydrogen generation Energy Storage Exotic Solar Technologies CPV technologies Excitonic PV technology Hybrid solar cells Nano-PV technology Quantum particles PV technology Plasmonic PV technology Organic technology Hybrid solar technologies New PV materials New PV technologies Solar Successes and Failures The U.S. solar energy (r)evolution Great business successes Successful solar companies Successful solar projects Other energy projects Successful initiatives Failed renewable energy companies, 2007-2012 Failed renewable energy projects, 2007-2012 Failed thin film solar companies Performance characteristics Safety issues Field operation issues Field test results Case study Updates Solar Power Fields Solar thermal technologies PV technologies PV modules certification Lab tests of PV modules c-Si modules detailed failure analysis CPV and HCPV technologies Test results Inverters Equipment and process standardization PV installations, setup and performance Large-scale solar power fields The planning phase The design phase The installation phase Operation and maintenance phase Operational considerations, tasks & issues Power field performance Solar power fields in the 21st century Solar's Importance, Finance, and Regulations Financial considerations Economic evaluation of renewable energy technologies Practical examples Operational risks Performance insurance Long-term field tests Solar industry standardization External impact and cost Lifetime energy balance Investment and finance The U.S. investment and finance World investment and finance Political considerations Regulatory procedures The Solar Markets in the 21st century Renewable energy in the U.S. the U.S. solar market, 2010-2011 The state (solar country) of California The U.S. PV industry U.S. PV markets Addressing trade issues Political evolution LCOE or not LCOE? The world Technologies of the 21st century PV manufacturers' future Niche and specialty energy markets in the 21st century The 21st century direction Conclusions Energy Generation and the Environment In the 21st Century Environmental considerations A brief overview of U.S. environmental legislation Present-day environmental status report Energy generation and the environment Conventional energy generators Renewable, green and safe? Environmental impact of solar installations Environmental challenges Problems Solution(s)

✦ Subjects

Solar energy. Solar energy industries. TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING -- Mechanical.