Electricity from Sunlight: An Introduction to Photovoltaics (Hardcover)

A lively and authoritative account of today’s photovoltaic (PV) technology and its practical applications

This book covers areas including:

• a brief history of PV, and the current international scene;
• the scientific principles of solar cells including silicon and new thin-film varieties;
• PV modules and arrays;
• grid-connected PV, from home systems up to large power plants;
• the wide diversity of stand-alone PV systems, and;
• the economic and environmental aspects of solar electricity.

Key equations and numerical examples are fully discussed, providing essential theoretical background. The text is supported by copious illustrations and more than eighty inspiring full colour photographs from around the world to demonstrate PV’s huge range of practical applications.

This book is aimed at a wide readership including professionals working in related areas, and students taking introductory courses in PV and renewable energy. Its style and level will also appeal to energy planners and decision makers, members of environmental organisations, and the increasing number of people interested in generating their own electricity from sunlight.

一本生動而權威的書，介紹了當今光伏（PV）技術及其實際應用。

本書涵蓋的主題包括：
- 光伏的簡要歷史和當前國際情況；
- 太陽能電池的科學原理，包括矽和新型薄膜類型；
- 光伏模組和陣列；
- 與電網連接的光伏系統，從家庭系統到大型發電廠；
- 各種獨立光伏系統的廣泛多樣性；
- 太陽能電力的經濟和環境方面。

書中詳細討論了關鍵方程式和數值示例，提供了必要的理論背景。書中配有大量插圖和超過80張來自世界各地的鼓舞人心的全彩照片，展示了光伏技術在實際應用中的廣泛範圍。

本書面向廣泛的讀者群，包括從事相關領域的專業人士，以及修讀光伏和可再生能源入門課程的學生。其風格和水平也將吸引能源規劃者和決策者、環保組織成員，以及越來越多對利用太陽能發電感興趣的人們。