Solar Power for the World

The book describes the industrial revolution associated with the implementation of electric power generation by photovoltaics (PV). The book’s editor and contributing authors are among the leading pioneers in PV from its industrial birth in 1954 all the way up to the stormy developments during the first decade of the new century. The book describes the dramatic events in industry between 2009 and 2013 and puts all this into perspective. It concludes that solar power is yet to strengthen its role in technology and in mainstream of the world’s economy.

"This book brings together a collection of lively, easy-to-read articles written by notable global leaders involved in the research and development of photovoltaic (PV) systems. The book is the inspiration of its editor, Prof. Wolfgang Palz, himself a true solar pioneer. In the opening chapters, Prof. Walz provides the historical context and a future vision of the world of solar power. This is followed by a compilation of contributions from numerous experts who provide entertaining and thought-provoking perspectives on PV’s history and development, including the early days of research and the gradual and, more recent, explosive growth of the technology as a global clean energy source. There are abundant stories and anecdotes about the many unique applications of PV technologies, the many scientists working to develop and market these technologies, and the key milestones in the history of this technology. This book is must reading for all who are working in the photovoltaic field and for all who are curious about the major role this technology is coming to play in our renewable energy future."—Dave Renne, President, International Solar Energy Society"Solar Power for the World is quite a remarkable book as it details from many of the original pioneers the development of solar, and in particular PV, from its early beginnings to the current time. Initially photovoltaics was thought to be, by those outside of academic circles, just an interesting phenomenon of low efficiency and expensive and suitable only for use by space vehicles. However, the early visionaries laid the foundations for the multi-billion dollar industry it is now and helped develop solar to become a mainstream power source. Without the policy contributions from people like Hermann Scheer and the extension of the technologies to take in transport and storage the vision of towards 100 percent renewables for future power could not even be envisaged. This book is a great reference on the transition of thought from research to widespread public use of solar and all the different insights necessary to make the shift to low carbon energy. It is a very useful reference."—Monica Oliphant, Research Scientist, Specialising in Renewable Energy and Residential End Use Efficiency, "This book brings together a collection of lively, easy-to-read articles written by notable global leaders involved in the research and development of photovoltaic (PV) systems. The book is the inspiration of its editor, Prof. Wolfgang Palz, himself a true solar pioneer. In the opening chapters, Prof. Walz provides the historical context and a future vision of the world of solar power. This is followed by a compilation of contributions from numerous experts who provide entertaining and thought-provoking perspectives on PV’s history and development, including the early days of research and the gradual and, more recent, explosive growth of the technology as a global clean energy source. There are abundant stories and anecdotes about the many unique applications of PV technologies, the many scientists working to develop and market these technologies, and the key milestones in the history of this technology. This book is must reading for all who are working in the photovoltaic field and for all who are curious about the major role this technology is coming to play in our renewable energy future."—Dave Renne, President, International Solar Energy Society"Solar Power for the World is quite a remarkable book as it details from many of the original pioneers the development of solar, and in particular PV, from its early beginnings to the current time. Initially photovoltaics was thought to be, by those outside of academic circles, just an interesting phenomenon of low efficiency and expensive and suitable only for use by space vehicles. However, the early visionaries laid the foundations for the multi-billion dollar industry it is now and helped develop solar to become a mainstream power source. Without the policy contributions from people like Hermann Scheer and the extension of the technologies to take in transport and storage the vision of towards 100 percent renewables for future power could not even be envisaged. This book is a great reference on the transition of thought from research to widespread public use of solar and all the different insights necessary to make the shift to low carbon energy. It is a very useful reference."—Monica Oliphant, Research Scientist, Specialising in Renewable Energy and Residential End Use Efficiency

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