Power from the Sun - 2nd Edition: A Practical Guide to Solar Electricity - Revised 2nd Edition - Paperback

by Dan Chiras (Author)

From the author of The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy, an easy guide to solar electricity--everything you need to power your home or small business.

Written for the individual or business layman, this is the fully revised and updated guide for generating solar electricity. Practical and accessible, it provides a basic understanding of electricity, wiring, and solar energy. The book guides the reader through assessing your solar electricity site and determining the type of solar system needed for to generate solar electricity, providing you with a solid understanding of grid-tied and off-grid systems, along with important guidelines on installation.

Power from the Sun, 2nd Edition, discusses types of photovoltaic and photovoltaic solar energy systems, and includes comprehensive information on recent changes and improvements in PV modules, charge controllers, inverters, batteries, generators, and net metering policies. It offers an excellent overview of the many options available as a guide for generating solar electricity, allowing you to make the best choices for your individual situation during the design, installation, and operation of a solar energy system. This is the definitive layman's guide for homeowners, business owners, installers, architects, and just about anyone interested in generating solar electricity to lower energy bills and achieve greater independence through solar energy.

"Dan Chiras is as reliable as a Swiss watch--once again he's created a text that's as accessible as it is informative."--Ann Edminster, author of Energy Free: Homes for a Small Planet

"Chiras makes it as easy as possible for you to affect your own transition away from fossil fuel dependence."--Bruce King, PE Director, Ecological Building Network, and author of The New Carbon Architecture

Back Jacket

Everything you need to know to power your home or small business - now fully revised and updated!

"When you need practical advice from a warm, smart and informed human being, Dan Chiras is the one to turn to."
- BRUCE KING, PE Director, Ecological Building Network, and author, Buildings of Earth and Straw and Making Better Concrete

" ... a thorough and comprehensive compendium from the basics to the complex aspects of solar and the imperative to continue our conversion to a renewable energy powered economy ..."
- JOHN SCHAEFFER, founder and owner, Real Goods, and author, The Solar Living Sourcebook

WRITTEN FOR THE LAYPERSON, this is the fully revised and updated guide for individuals and businesses interested in generating their own electricity using the sun. Practical and accessible, it provides a basic understanding of electricity, wiring, and solar energy, and guides the reader through site assessment and determining the type of system needed. This book provides a solid understanding of grid-tied and off-grid systems, and important guidelines on installation.

Power from the Sun - 2nd Edition discusses types of PVs and PV systems, and includes comprehensive information on recent changes and improvements in PV modules, charge controllers, inverters, batteries, generators, and net metering policies. It offers an excellent overview of the many options available, allowing the reader to make the best choices for their individual situation during the design, installation, and operation of a solar electric system.

The definitive guide for homeowners, business owners, installers, architects, and just about anyone interested in lowering energy bills while achieving greater energy independence.

"Dan Chiras is as reliable as a Swiss watch - once again he's created a text that's as accessible as it is informative."
- ANN EDMINSTER, author, Energy Free: Homes for a Small Planet

DAN CHIRAS is Director of the Center for Renewable Energy and Green building through which he teaches workshops on solar electricity, wind energy, passive solar design, natural building, and green building. He is also president of Sustainable Systems Design, Inc., a company that installs residential solar electric and wind energy systems and consults on passive solar design, residential renewable energy, and green building throughout North America. Dan is the author of 35 previous books, including The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy and Power from the Wind.

To help bring you the very best inspiration and information about greener, more sustainable lifestyles, Mother Earth News is recommending select New Society Publishers books to its readers. This book is one of them.

Author Biography

Dan Chiras is Director of the Center for Renewable Energy and Green building through which he teaches workshops solar electricity, wind energy, passive solar design, natural building, and green building. He is also president of Sustainable Systems Design, Inc., a company that installs residential solar electric and wind energy systems and consults on passive solar design, residential renewable energy, and green building throughout North America. Dan is the author of 32 previous books, including The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy and Power from the Wind.