Getting a good understanding of solar energy is very difficult given the massive clutter given on the internet and the mainstream media. Very few people have a good knowledge about solar energy and the industry developments. Research on solar even by top research houses and organizations leaves a lot to be desired. Many of the research reports even by top global consultants are paid either by the pro-green or the anti-global warming lobbies. Even the unbiased research on clean technology is of very low quality in my experience. I have found that most of the analyst and research institutions have missed the big picture about solar energy and its technological developments. The forecasts about solar power growth have been woefully short of the actual figures in almost every year during the past decade when solar energy has grown in excess of 100% CAGR.
I am surprised by the extent that solar energy growth is being underestimated by analysts and policymakers. Solar Demand has exceeded forecasts by a wide margin in the last 3 years. Despite doomsday scenarios Solar Energy grew by almost 40% in 2009 and by more than 100% in 2010 and 2011 . While this is on a low base,you have to factor in that solar energy is still being subsidized. Think of the growth possibility when solar energy costs decline another 50%. While all countries have underestimate the penetration of Solar Energy, I am taking the example of India which had been praised for its ambitious plan of generating 22 GW by 2022. I think solar energy will easily be 3-4x of that capacity by that time as India has a huge potential in solar energy. Bloomberg one of the most respected analysts in the Green Space has forecast 4.2% of US Energy Demand from Solar by 2020. This again is too low in my view. Once Solar Energy reaches low enough costs,then energy demand as a whole will expand just at the advent of LED lighting will expand the whole lighting market. The Potential of Solar Energy is not restricted to the Global Electricity Demand, it is much higher because it will expand that Capacity.
I have tried to do my best to list out both the paid and free download of solar energy books from the internet. Note while the free solar textbooks that are available online are of decent quality for the best solar energy books you have to buy them.
1) Solar Technology and Solar Engineering Books
i) Solar Engineering by John Duffie and Willian Beckman (Our Top Pick)
ii) Photovoltaic Design and Installation For Dummies (For Dummies (Math & Science))
iii) The Physics of Solar Cells by Jenny Nelson
iv) Physics of Solar Cells: From Basic Principles to Advanced Concepts (Physics Textbook)
v) Third Generation Photovoltaics: Advanced Solar Energy Conversion (Springer Series in Photonics)
vi) Principles of Solar Engineering, Second Edition
2) Solar Industry Books
The Economic Transformation of the Global Energy Industry
3) Solar Installation Guides and DIY Solar Books
i) Photovoltaics: Design and Installation Manual (Our Top Pick)
ii) The Solar House by Daniel Chiras
iv) The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Solar Power for your Home, 2E
4) Solar Books for Kids
i) Our Solar System by Seymonds
ii) 13 Planets: The Latest View of the Solar System (National Geographic)
5) Solar Cooking Books
Cooking with Sunshine: The Complete Guide to Solar Cuisine with 150 Easy Sun-Cooked Recipes by Loraine Anderson
6) Solar Water Heating Books
Solar Water Heating by Bob Ramlow
1) Mysteries of the Sun (Our Top Pick)
by Ginger Butcher (Publisher NASA)
2) The Birth And Death Of The Sun
by George Gamow
3) The Complete Idiot’s Guide to The Sun
by Jay M. Pasachoff
4) The Formation and Evolution of the Solar System
by James Schombert
5) Views of the Solar System
by Calvin J. Hamilton
6) Free Solar System Book for Kids
by Wikipedia
12 Comments
Thanks for the nice work
I wish to install 1 kw sollar project in my home. How much electricity produce by it. I bought four panel 250 watt each
Hi Sunil,
It should produce roughly 4 kWh of power on a daily basis.
Hi Sunil,
Typically 5 kW solar power plant is required to comfortably power most of the needs of a modern 3 bedroom house.
Dear Sneha,
First of all thank you so much for providing such a knowledgeable blog to learn Solar Energy,
I need to learn every thing about Solar Energy, for instance Prerequisites, basics and everything about it,
even i dont know what are semiconductor and all,
Please could you help me in this,
it will be very glad if you help me,
Thank You Sneha,
Prashant Dilipkumar Thorat.
Hi prashant,
My website provides many such basic information. Please refer to the website http://www.greenworldinvestor.com for your reference. I m sure it will help 🙂
Thank You So much Sneha,
May God bless you with all your positive dreams come true,
Prashant Dilipkumar Thorat.
Dear Sneha
I have gone through your website http://www.greenworldinvestor.com. Do you have any idea/experience in energy interactions in soar drying processes? We can exchange some of the knowledge/information. Would you please reply to my mail.
Thank you!
Hi Sneha, Thanks for the excellent and highly valuable information on Solar Energy that your blog provides. I would like to know about ideal capacity of solar energy unit required for one household and area required as well as estimated cost.
do you have solar mango’s india solar epc blueprint book ?
i want to minimize steam consumption on MEE in sugar factory by integrating solar