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  • Reference work
  • © 2013

Solar Energy

  • Features authoritative, peer-reviewed entries from the Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology
  • Provides detailed analysis of present-day photovoltaic deployment and key solar cell technologies currently in development
  • Presents state-of-the-art measurement and modeling techniques for solar resource studies and solar energy utilization
  • Covers a wide range of technologies that actively convert solar radiation into useful heat for applications ranging from space heating, cooking, and domestic hot water supply, to electrical power generation and high temperature thermochemical processes
  • Includes a glossary of key terms and a concise definition of the subject for each contribution

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Table of contents (30 entries)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xvi
  2. C

    1. CdTe Solar Cells

      • Stephan Buecheler, Lukas Kranz, Julian Perrenoud, Ayodhya Nath Tiwari
      Pages 1-28
    2. Concentrating Receiver Systems (Solar Power Tower)

      • Spiros Alexopoulos, Bernhard Hoffschmidt
      Pages 29-71
  3. L

    1. Linear Fresnel Collectors

      • Andreas Häberle
      Pages 72-78
  4. M

    1. Mesoscopic Solar Cells

      • Michael Grätzel
      Pages 79-96
  5. O

    1. Organic Solar Cells

      • Eric Daniel Głowacki, Niyazi Serdar Sariciftci, Ching W. Tang
      Pages 97-128
  6. P

    1. Parabolic Trough Solar Technology

      • Eckhard Lüpfert
      Pages 129-139
    2. Photosynthetically Active Radiation: Measurement and Modeling

      • Matti Mõttus, Madis Sulev, Frédéric Baret, Raoul Lopez-Lozano, Anu Reinart
      Pages 140-169
    3. Photovoltaic Energy , Introduction

      • Daniel Lincot
      Pages 170-173
    4. Photovoltaics , Status of

      • Arnulf Jäger-Waldau
      Pages 174-211
    5. PV Policies and Markets

      • Wolfgang Palz
      Pages 212-225
  7. S

    1. Silicon Solar Cells , Crystalline

      • Santo Martinuzzi, Abdelillah Slaoui, Jean-Paul Kleider, Mustapha Lemiti, Christian Trassy, Claude Levy-Clement et al.
      Pages 226-269
    2. Silicon Solar Cells , Thin-film

      • Christopher R. Wronski, Nicolas Wyrsch
      Pages 270-322
    3. Solar Cells , Chalcopyrite-Based Thin Film

      • Hans-Werner Schock
      Pages 323-340
    4. Solar Cells : Very High Efficiencies Approaches

      • Jean-François Guillemoles
      Pages 358-377
    5. Solar Collectors , Non-concentrating

      • Stefan Fortuin, Gerhard Stryi-Hipp
      Pages 378-398
    6. Solar Cooling Systems

      • Hans-Martin Henning
      Pages 441-494

About this book

The tiny portion of the sun's energy that reaches the earth in one year is approximately 10,000 times the energy consumption of humankind during that same period. Absorbed in the atmosphere and on the surface of the earth, it is responsible for the temperature range that enables our diverse ecosystems to exist, and also for a significant portion of the available renewable and fossil energy supplies. Featuring 30 authoritative, peer-reviewed entries from the Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology, this volume presents fundamental principles and cutting-edge technologies for sustainably harnessing this vital resource. Sections on photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, and solar radiation provide a comprehensive introduction for those new to these fields, as well as new insights for advanced researchers and industry experts.

Editors and Affiliations

  • Plataforma Solar de Almeria Institute of Solar Research DLR – German Aerospace Centre, Cologne, Germany

    Christoph Richter

  • Institute of Research and Development of Photovoltaic Energy, Chatou Cedex, France

    Daniel Lincot

  • Solar Consulting Services, Colebrook, USA

    Christian A. Gueymard

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 449.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access