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A guide to choosing and using solar electricity systems from “the man who launched a thousand rooftop solar arrays . . . the essential go-to manual” (John D. Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist, coauthors of ECOpreneuring).
As we look for safer, more economical, and more sustainable ways to meet our needs for electricity—and as more and more electric cars hit the road—solar has become an increasingly popular option. With Solar Electricity Basics, renewable energy expert Dan Chiras offers a concise and up-to-date guide covering all the essentials. It explores:
- How to size, cost, and choose the right system, including off-grid vs. grid-tied vs. grid-tied with battery backup
- Where to mount a system for maximum performance
- What type of modules and inverters to buy
- How to install and maintain batteries
- Cost vs. benefit for solar electric systems
- How to connect to the grid, and what type of net metering your area offers
Solar Electricity Basics is an indispensable guide for homeowners, business owners, builders, and students for figuring out solar electricity quickly and easily.
"Dan effectively takes the guess-work out of solar energy with simple explanations and instructions that anyone can follow. Just as importantly he presents all the options in a way that makes deciding which installation might best suit your needs. This is a must-read for anyone looking to make steps towards a resilient energy future."
— Oliver M. Goshey, founder and director, Abundant Edge
"Lucky for you, Dan Chiras strikes again. With his usual plain-spoken clarity, Dan makes a complex subject easy and accessible. The perfect guide for anyone to go solar!"
— Bruce King, author, The New Carbon Architecture
"Thinking of going solar? Even if you intend to hire experts to install your system, it helps enormously to know a little about the technology, and how to assess your site's solar resource. Dan Chiras is the perfect guide; he's enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and makes it all easy to understand."
— Richard Heinberg, Senior Fellow, Post Carbon Institute, and author, The End of Growth
"Dan Chiras is the man who launched a thousand rooftop solar arrays. Don't even think about dabbling in photovoltaics without Dan's guidance. Solar Electricity Basics, Second Edition is the essential go-to manual for getting a grip on the ins and outs of photovoltaic systems. Read it, use it, and harness the power of the sun on your home, farm, or homestead."
— John D. Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist, co-authors, ECOpreneuring
Dan Chiras, Ph.D., is the author of numerous books on renewable energy, including Power from the Sun, Power from the Wind and The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy. He has taught workshops on solar electricity through various organizations including the Evergreen Institute, the American Solar Energy Society, the Colorado Renewable Energy Society, Missouri Solar Energy Industries Association, and the University of Colorado. Over the past 40 years Chiras has published articles on natural building, green building, solar electricity, passive solar design, self-sufficiency, and sustainability in publications such as Solar Today, Home Power, and Mother Earth News. He has installed solar electric and wind systems in Missouri, and has lived on solar electricity since 1996. He lives in Gerald, MO.
Chapter 1: An Introduction to Solar Electricity
Chapter 2: Understanding the Sun and Solar Energy— Things You Need to Know to Size and Mount a Solar Array
Chapter 3: Understanding Solar Electricity— Types of Modules, How They Are Rated, and Advances in Solar Technology
Chapter 4: Does Solar Electricity Make Sense? Sizing a System and Evaluating Its Cost and Economic Benefits
Chapter 5: Solar Electric Systems: What Are Your Options?
Chapter 6: Understanding Inverters
Chapter 7: Batteries, Charge Controllers, and Gen-Sets
Chapter 8: Mounting a PV Array for Maximum Output
Chapter 9: Final Considerations: Permits, Covenants, Utility Interconnection, and Buying a System
Index
About the Author
A Note about the Publisher