This 8-page guide covers the growing field of solar energy. Focusing primarily on typical residential installations and the basics of what goes into them, this essential reference is filled with tables, tips, how-to's, why's and wherefore's. This is truly a must-have for anyone interested in solar: contractors, homeowners, etc.
Includes:
Solar Radiation Map (U.S.)...the best places for solar installations
Orientation and Inclination of PV Arrays
Residential and Commercial PV System Types
Basic Grid-Tied System
Grid-Tied System with Backup Power
Off-Grid System with Backup Power
Parts of the System: Batteries, Charge Controllers, DC Converters, Photovoltaic (PV) Cells, Inverters
PV Cell Construction
Efficiency Losses
Sizing a PV Array
Solar Power Economics
Residential Net Metering
Comprehensive, 4-page Solar Glossary defines the dozens of terms that are essential to your understanding and application of solar concepts