27 Best Books on Solar Energy

“Solar Energy: The physics and engineering of photovoltaic conversion, technologies and systems” Book Review: This book covers the physics of photovoltaic cells and the design of photovoltaic systems. This book covers the physics of photovoltaic (PV) cells and the design of PV systems for real-life applications. The topics range from the fundamental principles of semiconductor solar cells and PV technology (crystalline silicon solar cells, thin-film cells, PV modules) to components, design, deployment and performance of PV systems in use. The book is a useful reference for researchers, industrial engineers and designers working in solar energy generation. The book will also benefit students in university and third-level physics or engineering courses on solar photovoltaics. It includes exercises to check understanding of the subject matter. Important chapters discussed are Energy, status and prospects of PV technology, the working principle of a solar cell, electrodynamic basics. Other topics included are basic semiconductor physics, generation and recombination of electron hole pairs, semiconductor junction. Exercises at the end of every chapter added for student’s practice. This book is suitable for physics and chemistry students.

“Physics and Technology of Solar Energy: Volume 2” Book Review: This book is a comprehensive study of physics and technology of solar energy. It includes the result of research and development in the field of solar energy that was carried out both in developing and developed countries. The book addresses the problems and focuses on screening, selecting, adapting and managing the emerging solar energy technology for its use in developing countries. It also looks at the role of international organizations which may assist building up of a local solar energy R&D and manufacturing capabilities in developing countries. The book is useful for researchers, industrial engineers and designers working in solar energy technology.

“Future Solar Energy Devices (SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology)” Book Review: This book addresses electronics and the rise of photonics, and asks what the future holds in store for this technology. It highlights the latest research on all types of solar cells and photonic devices, and a new approach combining photonics and electronics. The book also offers readers new perspectives for their own research. At last, the book draws on the interconnections between electronics and photonics and suggests a possible means of using solar energy directly with the aid of future photonic devices. The book will benefit those who want to learn about the future technological developments in solar energy.

“Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes” Book Review: This book is recommended for undergraduate engineering and science stream students. This book offers the latest coverage of solar energy theory, systems design and applications in different market sectors. This book explains the fundamentals of solar radiation. This book also explains the building heating in active, passive and hybrid methods. This book also explains the process of solar cooling, solar industrial process heat, solar thermal power systems and solar ponds – evaporative processes. It also focuses on solar system design and analysis using simulations to impart practice-oriented understanding to the readers. The book includes a separate chapter on applying CombiSys to simulate a solar heated house with solar- heated domestic hot water. It also includes various exercises at the end of each chapter for the readers to test their understanding of the subject matter. This book discusses the design of active systems, design of active systems by utilizability methods, design of passive, hybrid heating systems, design of photovoltaic systems and wind energy. The book also includes detailed coverage of photovoltaics and the design of solar cells and heaters. It is useful for students of solar engineering, solar energy and alternative energy as well as professionals working in the power and energy industry and related fields. It also contains several solved examples as well as supplementary examples in each chapter for better understanding of concepts and includes numerous multiple-choice questions with answers, and problems for practice at the end of each chapter.

“Physics and Technology of Amorphous-Crystalline Heterostructure Silicon Solar Cells (Engineering Materials)” Book Review: This book presents an overview of the state-of-the-art in physics and technology of amorphous -crystalline heterostructure silicon solar cells. It describes cell efficiencies above 23% that have been calculated for such solar cells. The heterojunction concept is introduced in the book. It also describes the processes and resulting properties of the materials used in the cell. The book then goes on to discuss heterointerfaces, characterization techniques and simulation tools. It is useful for those interested in learning the physics and technology of amorphous -crystalline heterostructure silicon solar cells.

“Inner Solar System: Prospective Energy and Material Resources” Book Review: This book is an analysis of Venus and Mercury prospective energy and material resources. It is a collection of topics related to exploration and utilization of these bodies. It presents past and future technologies and solutions to old problems that could become reality. The book is a useful learning source of information for specialists interested in current Venus and Mercury related activities. It is also useful for space researchers, inventors, technologists and potential investors.

“Materials Concepts For Solar Cells (Energy Futures)” Book Review: This textbook is a comprehensive coverage of basic literature on the physics of solar cells and highly specialized knowledge about photovoltaic solar energy conversion. General principles of solar cells and materials demands are explained in the first part of this book. The second part covers the four classes of materials concepts for solar cells-solar cells based on crystals of silicon, epitaxial layer systems of III-V semiconductors, thin-film absorbers on foreign substrates and nano-composite absorbers. The book is useful for those who want to access comprehensive introduction to material concepts for solar cells.

“Advances in Solar Energy: An Annual Review of Research and Development: Volume 6” Book Review: This book is a comprehensive study of the latest technological advances in solar energy. It includes the result of research and development in the field of solar energy that was carried out both in developing and developed countries. The book addresses various problems and focuses on screening, selecting, adapting and managing the emerging solar energy technology for its use in developing countries. It also looks at the role of international organizations which may assist building up of a local solar energy R&D and manufacturing capabilities in developing countries. The book is useful for researchers, industrial engineers and designers working in solar energy technology.

“Semiconductor Materials for Solar Photovoltaic Cells (Springer Series in Materials Science)” Book Review: This book presents the current state of the art as well as key details about future strategies to increase the efficiency and reduce costs. It focuses on how to reduce the gap between laboratory scale efficiency and commercial module efficiency. It provides a comprehensive introduction to solar PV cell materials and offers an in-depth account of the semiconductor material strategies and directions for further research. This book will help materials scientists and engineers in identifying research areas to fulfill energy needs. It will also enable researchers to understand novel semiconductor materials that are emerging in the solar market.

“Active Solar Collectors and their Applications” Book Review: This book is meant for undergraduate engineering and science stream students. This book contains the fundamentals of optics for solar collectors. This book contains surveys of solar equipment and applications, solar geometry, insolation data and models. This book also explains the collector efficiency, collector testing, optics of non-tracking collectors, tracking concentrator types, optical analysis and optimization of parabolic reflectors. This book also discusses the heat transfer in solar collectors, heat transfer factors, system models, economic analysis and system optimization. It also contains a wide variety of illustrations and real life applications for enhanced learning.

“Principles of Solar Engineering” Book Review: This book is designed for undergraduate engineering and science stream students. This book explains the fundamentals of solar radiation. It also explains methods of solar collection and thermal conversion, thermal energy storage and transport, solar-heating systems, solar cooling and dehumidification. It also includes the passive methods for heating, solar thermal power, heat photovoltaics and solar photochemical applications. It also contains the examples of SIPH systems and rankine solar thermal power plants. It also contains a wide variety of illustrations and real life applications for enhanced learning.

“Solar Energy Engineering: Processes and Systems” Book Review: This book is beneficial for undergraduate engineering and science stream students. This book explains the fundamentals of solar energy. This book discusses the performance of solar collectors, solar water-heating systems, solar space heating and cooling, industrial process heat, chemical applications, and solar dryers. It also explains the solar desalination systems, photovoltaic systems and solar thermal power systems. It also elaborates the design and modeling of solar systems, solar energy analysis and wind energy systems. It also contains a wide variety of illustrations and real life applications for enhanced learning.

“Advances in Solar Heating and Cooling (Wood head Publishing Series in Energy)” Book Review: This book is a guide for undergraduate engineering and science stream students. This book explains the fundamentals of solar heating and cooling systems. It also explains the active solar space, solar water heating systems, photovoltaic-powered and solar-powered adsorption cooling systems. It also discusses heat storage for solar heating and cooling applications, sensible heat storage, latent heat storage and chemisorption heat storage. This book concludes with the thermochemical heat storage for solar heating and cooling systems, combined photovoltaic/thermal technology for building applications and future trends for solar energy use in nearly zero energy buildings. It also contains a wide variety of illustrations and real life applications for enhanced learning.

“Solar Radiation Data: Proceedings of the EC Contractors’ Meeting held in Brussels, 20 November 1981” Book Review: This book consists primarily of the proceedings of the EC Contractor’s meeting.

“Solar Cell Devices – Physics” Book Review: This book contains an overview of solar cells devices. Main chapters included are material properties end device physics, Structures, materials, scale, homo junction solar cells. Other topics included are semiconductor heterojunction cells, Surface barrier solar cells, dye sensitised solar cells. all the topics are discussed in depth with their analysis. This book is suitable for physics and chemistry students.

“Fundamentals of Solar Cells Photovoltaic Solar Energy” Book Review: This book covers the fundamentals of solar cells. Major chapters included are solar insolation, properties of semiconductors, application of the transport equation, junctions. Other topics namely the calculation of solar efficiency, Silicon solar cells, heterojunction and heteroface structure cells are also discussed. Summary and general references are added at the end of every chapter for reading purposes. Diagrams and equations are described in detail. Students studying physics and chemistry can refer to this book.

“Photoelectrochemical Solar Cells” Book Review: This book describes the information regarding photoelectrochemical solar cells. The main chapters included are physical comparison of a PN junction and semiconductor electrolyte interface, potential distribution at the semiconductor electrolyte interface. Other topics included are charge transfer reactions, photo induced charge transfer reactions, Electrochemical photovoltaic solar cells. Descriptive diagrams are provided in this book. Students studying physics and chemistry can use this book.

“Hydrogen as an Energy Carrier Technologies Systems Economy” Book Review: This book mentions important topics called hydrogen as an energy carrier. Topics included in this book are energy supply structures and the role of gaseous energy carriers, hydrogen energy applications engineering, and hydrogen as a raw material. Other topics mentioned are safety aspects of hydrogen energy carrier and energy storage, photovoltaic power generation, thermal and mechanical engineer energy production. His book explains the techniques of using hydrogen with proper examples. This book is useful for advanced physics and chemistry students.

“Solar Photovoltaic Technology and Systems: A Manual for Technicians, Trainers and Engineers” Book Review: This book is the manual describing different concepts of solar PV technologies. Main topics included are basics of electricity, introduction to energy and solar PV energy, solar cells, solar PV modules. Weather topics included are Solar PV module arrays, basics of batteries, applications of batteries in solar PV systems. Do’s and don’ts are added at the end of every chapter for students’ understanding. Students studying advanced physics can use this book.

“Solar Photovoltaics – Fundamentals, Technologies and Applications” Book Review: This book describes the fundamentals of solar photovoltaic with its applications. topics such as please of PV in world energy scenario, fundamentals of semiconductors, charge carriers and their motion in semiconductor are mentioned. Other topics such as PN junction diode, design of solar cells, production of si, thin film solar cell technologies. Review questions are added at the end of every chapter for revision purposes. References are added portions to read further about the respective topics. This book is useful for advanced physics, chemistry and electrical engineering students.

“Solar Energy” Book Review: This book involves the principles of solar energy and its practical applications. Chapters discussed are Semiconductors as solar cell materials, PN junction diode, solar cell designs, si sheets. Other topics included are high efficiency si solar cells, advances in si cell processes suitable for near future commercialization. Its applications and future use are added at the end of every chapter. Students studying electrical engineering and advanced physics can use this book.

“Thermodynamics of Solar Energy Conversion” Book Review: This book has been designed for undergraduate or graduate students who are pursuing mechanical or electrical or chemical or production engineering. This book explains various models of thermodynamics and their principles. It also consists of solved examples and problems to solve. General principles are illustrated using idealized models in this book.At the end of each chapter, technological examples are merely presented so as to compare reality with theory. Various units are also described in this book for easy understanding. From a general thermo-chemical endoreversible engine, photothermal and till the photochemical solar energy converter, everything is explained.

“Solar Energy – Principles of Thermal Collection and Storage” Book Review: This textbook focuses essentially on devices used for collection and storage of solar energy for thermal applications. Additionally, it also discusses methods of utilizing solar energy for photovoltaic conversion, wind energy, biomass, etc; techniques for making economic assessments of solar energy systems. Other important topics covered in the book include Solar Radiation, Liquid Flat-Plate Collector, concentrating collectors and Solar Heater etc. A number of links, websites and additional references after every chapter have been listed in reader’s interest. The book will benefit anyone interested in the study of renewable energy sources and solar thermal energy.

“Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes” Book Review: This book serves as ready reference for solar engineering as well as professionals working in the power and energy industry or related fields. The book covers solar energy design and analysis and makes use of simulations to facilitate readers practice theory. The book is categorized into three parts, namely, Fundamentals, Applications and Design Methods. The Fundamentals part covers the basic concepts of Radiation Characteristics of Opaque Materials, Radiation Transmission through Glazing: Absorbed Radiation, Flat-Plate Collectors, Concentrating Collectors, and Energy Storage etc. The Application part includes Building Heating: Active, Building Heating: Passive and Hybrid Methods, Solar Cooling. The Design part ensures active use of simulations and practical designing applications. Ample number of problems is given at the end of the book for greater grip on the concepts covered.

“Principles of Solar Engineering” Book Review: This textbook on solar engineering comprehensively covers various facets of solar energy systems such as solar energy conversion, solar radiation, solar thermal collector, solar heating systems, solar thermal power, solar photochemical applications and thermal energy collection and storage. Each chapter starts with the basic introduction of the physics involved and then takes on the various concepts of system designing, measurements and estimations involved in tapping into solar energy for real world applications. Every topic is discussed exhaustively for complete understanding.

“Power from the Sun: A Practical Guide to Solar Electricity” Book Review: This is the thoroughly revamped and improved guide for producing solar electricity, written for the person or company layman. It offers a basic understanding of lighting, wiring and solar energy in a realistic and open way. By analysing the solar electricity site and assessing the type of solar panel required to produce solar electricity, the book directs the reader, presenting you with a solid understanding of grid-tied and off-grid systems, along with relevant implementation guidance. This book addresses the forms of solar energy photovoltaic and photovoltaic devices, and offers detailed detail on recent developments and upgrades to PV panels, charge controls, inverters, batteries, generators, and net metering policies. It provides an excellent description of the many options available as a solar electricity generation guide, helping you to make the right choices during the planning, implementation, and maintenance of a solar energy system for your particular situation. This is the ultimate layman’s guide for consumers, company owners, installers, builders, and just about everyone involved in solar power generation to cut energy costs and gain greater freedom by solar energy.

“Feasibility Model of Solar Energy Plants by ANN and MCDM Techniques (SpringerBriefs in Energy)” Book Review: This book is designed for the undergraduate engineering students. It focuses on models to find feasible locations to produce solar energy. It explains the latest decision making models and artificial neural networks in detail. This helps in predicting the location to maximise the amount of energy. It covers ways to produce optimal amounts of electricity in order to satisfy demand in the market. The book contains various case studies and research papers helpful in different applications.