Surveys the current uses and costs of nonfossil energy sources, speculated on probable future developments, and suggests possible areas of investigation and application for utility managers, architects, and engineers

Explains the principles of the solar heating of houses, lists sources of information, and describes the designs of 35 solar homes

Explains solar energy theory, discusses the influence of climate and cloud cover, and shows how to select, evaluate and estimate the costs of a solar heating and cooling system (view table of contents)

Explains solar energy theory, discusses the influence of climate and cloud cover, and shows how to select, evaluate and estimate the costs of a solar heating and cooling system

Provides information on the household applications of solar energy, including heating and cooking, and provides guidelines for evaluating systems

(view table of contents)

Provides background information, purchasing data, and step-by-step instructions for operating boats, RVs, or homes and creating energy for hot water and heating with renewable energy sources.

This revised edition of The Renewable Energy Handbook focuses on the unique requirements of off-grid living as well as using "green" energy for homeowners who remain connected to the electrical utility. The book contains chapters on: Energy efficiency and economics Home heating and cooling and domestic water heating Photovoltaic, wind, and micro-hydro energy generation Battery selection and inverters Backup power, wireless communications, etc. It includes comprehensive specifications for many of the products available in the market today.Whether you are just curious or an industry expert, this handbook will show you how to stretch your energy dollars (doing much more with less) while powering your home with renewable energy. And, unlike fossil fuels or nuclear energy, renewable energy frees you from worry about dumping today's pollution on tomorrow's children.Since its release in 2003, The Renewable Energy Handbook has been a top-selling technology book and is recognized as the best in its field.This edition has been fully revised for 2010 and beyond. It has been increased in size to an easy-to-read 8 x 10 inch format, and it is augmented with hundreds of illustrations, line drawings, photographs, and appendices.Author/engineer William H. Kemp is a leading expert in renewable energy technologies. He and his wife designed and built their own off-grid home, which has all the standard middle-class creature comforts while using no fossil-fuel energy. The author showcases an assortment of homes, including his own, to demonstrate real-world application of the technologies.