Applied Photovoltaics

Book excerpt: A reliable, accessible and comprehensive guide for students of photovoltaic applications and renewable energy engineering. This thoroughly considered textbook from a group of leading influential and award-winning authors is brimming with information and is carefully designed to meet the needs of its readers. Along with exercises and references at the end of each chapter, the book features a set of detailed technical appendices that provide essential equations, data sources and standards. Starting from basics with 'The Characteristics of Sunlight' the reader is guided step-by-step through semiconductors and p-n junctions; the behaviour of solar cells; cell properties ad design; and PV cell interconnection and module fabrication. The book covers stand-alone photovoltaic systems; specific purpose photovoltaic systems; remote are power supply systems; and grid-connected photovoltaic systems. There is also a section on photovoltaic water pumping system components and design. Applied Photovolatics is well illustrated and readable with an abundance of diagrams and illustrations, and will provide the reader with all the information needed to start working with photovoltaics.