This book provides an outstanding single-volume resource on the topic of solar energy for young adults and general audiences.
While how much longer the world's supply of fossil fuels will last is debatable, it is a fact that the fossil fuels that we depend on so heavily today are non-renewable resources that will inevitably be exhausted—making the need to shift to alternative sources of energy such as solar extremely important. Solar Energy: A Reference Handbook presents encyclopedic coverage of the social, political, economic, and environmental issues associated with the development and use of solar energy in the United States and around the world.
This book provides an in-depth description of the ways solar power has been used for at least 2,000 years. It outlines how humankind has utilized various forms of energy from the sun by way of photovoltaic cells, concentrating or focusing solar power, active and passive solar heating, and other mechanisms; and provides perspectives on today's solar energy issues from a variety of subject experts.
Readers will better understand not only the advantages and disadvantages of solar power but also the critical nature of energy production to sustaining life on earth, thereby underscoring the importance of developing solar power and other alternative sources of energy to meet the world's energy needs in coming decades. The book also includes profiles of key individuals and organizations related to the field of solar energy, a chronology of important events in the history of solar energy, and a glossary that defines the key terms used in discussing the topic of solar energy.
Table of Contents:
Preface,
1 Background and History,
Solar Energy: The Early History,
Sun Worship,
Passive Solar Heating Systems,
Other Uses of Solar Energy,
A Solar Renaissance?,
An Age of Solar Power?,
The Development of Photovoltaic Power,
Solar Energy in the Twentieth Century,
Technical Progress,
Solar Energy on the Upswing,
Solar Energy: The Bottom Falls Out,
Implementing Solar Power,
An Introduction to Solar Technology,
Space Heating and Cooling (SHC),
Photovoltaic Cells (PVC),
Concentrating Solar Power (CSP),
Thin-Film and Hybrid Systems,
Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP),
Solar Energy Uses,
Conclusion,
References,
2 Problems, Controversies, and Solutions,
Solar Energy Worldwide,
Problems Facing the Solar Industry,
Storage of Solar Energy,
Residential PV Solar,
Commercial Solar Storage,
Environmental Issues,
Solar Cell Manufacture,
Solar Cell End-of-Life,
Land Use,
Mitigation Technologies,
Water Use,
Other Environmental Effects,
Net Environmental Effects,
Economic Issues,
Federal Subsidies,
Tax Credits for Solar: A Different View,
State Programs,
The Role of Big Business,
The Pros and Cons of Solar Energy,
Pros,
Cons,
Public Opinion about Solar Energy,
Solar Power Today,
The Future of Solar Power,
References,
3 Perspectives,
Introduction,
Distributed and Utility-Scale Solar Power: Brian Angliss,
The Value of Solar-Powered Cars: Steven Antalics,
Solar Energy—Thermal versus PV: Jim Conca,
The SolaRoad Project: Gina Hagler,
Solar Financing: Adam Johnston,
Current Limitations in Solar Energy and Solutions for the Future: Yoo Jung Kim,
Artificial Photosynthesis: David Latchman,
Mimicking Photosynthesis,
Water Oxidation,
Reducing Carbon Dioxide to Create Fuels,
The Future of Artificial Photosynthesis,
Solar Energy for Remote and Rural Areas: Abhishek Rao,
References,
4 Profiles,
Introduction,
William Grylls Adams (1836–1915),
Archimedes of Syracuse (ca. 287 BCE–ca. 212 BCE),
American Council on Renewable Energy,
American Solar Energy Society,
Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel (1820–1891),
Jimmy Carter (1924–),
Jan Czochralski (1885–1953),
HoraceBénédict de Saussure (1740–1799),
Peter Glaser (1923–2014),
International Energy Agency,
International Solar Energy Society,
Augustin Mouchot (1825–1912),
Elon Musk (1971–),
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
Russell S. Ohl (1898–1987),
Stanford R. Ovshinsky (1922–2012),
Frank Shuman (1862–1918),
Willoughby Smith (1828–1891),
Solar Electric Power Association,
Solar Energy Industries Association,
Robert Stirling (1790–1878),
U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy,
Women in Solar Energy,
Hans K. Ziegler (1911–1999),
5 Data and Documents,
Introduction,
Data,
Table 5.1. Production of Solar Power in the United States, 1989–2011,
Table 5.2. Solar Energy Consumption, Residential, 1989–2011,
Table 5.3. Electric Power Consumption, 1989–2011,
Table 5.4. Total Solar Energy Production in the United States, 1989–2011,
Table 5.5. End Use for Solar Thermal Collector Shipments, 2001–2009,
Table 5.6. Average Price of Photovoltaic Cells and Modules, 2003–2012,
Table 5.7. Future Scenario for Solar Power as Total of World Electrical Consumption,
Table 5.8. Funding Opportunities for Solar Energy from the Federal Government,
Table 5.9. Commercial CSP Plants Installed Worldwide, as of December 2010,
Documents,
The Heliocaminus and Solar Rights (529–534),
Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1974,
Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-617),
Energy Tax Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-618),
California Solar Power Law (1978),
New Hampshire Solar Easement Law (1985),
Sher v. Leiderman (1986),
Palos Verdes Homes Association v. Rodman, 182 Cal. App. 3d 324, 324–329 (1986),
Energy Policy Act of 1992 (P.L. 102-486),
American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (P.L. 108–357),
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-58) (2005),
Solar Energy Farm Use and Potential in the U.S. (2011),
SZ Enterprises, LLC d/b/a Eagle Point Solar v. Iowa Utilities Board, et al. (2014),
Occupations in Solar Power (2015),
6 Resources for Further Research,
Introduction,
Books,
Articles,
Reports,
Internet Sources,
7 Chronology,
Glossary,
Index,
About the Author,
About the Author :
David E. Newton, EdD, has been a freelance writer of nonfiction books and ancillary materials for young adults for nearly 55 years.
Review :
Two particular strengths are the section on facts and figures and the extensive annotated bibliography of outside resources. Suitable for young adult and nonspecialist researchers, this concise, single-volume resource would be a good addition to high school and undergraduate libraries or public libraries where readers may be interested in the constantly developing topic of solar power.
The content of the book is well suited to its audience. High school and undergraduate college students will find the resources listed for further research understandable and offering them the ability to expand their interest on a particular area of solar energy.
