Practical Photovoltaics: Electricity from Solar Cells

Customer Rating:
Summary: Good for beginners
Comment: If you decide to begin understand how photovoltaics works without digging immediately in deep details, I suggest you this book.
The subjects of the book spread from the solar cells principles of working, to the several applications they may have to the industrial process of making them. All this, without entering in deeper details.
To me, as a beginner, it has been useful and really appreciated.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Practical Photovoltaics: Electricity from Solar Cells
Comment: I recommend this book to anyone interested in a basic yet comprehensive guide to photovoltaic technology, the PV industry and practical applications of PV. This book contains detailed explanations about the installation and maintenance of solar electricity clearly explained in layman's language by its author, Dr. Richard Komp. It even has an illustrated appendix with step-by-step instructions on how to construct your very own solar module so you will better grasp PV technology. I found it to be an excellent reference source on the subject.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Very informative
Comment: I enjoyed reading this book as it provided some of the science behind photovoltaics as well as some advice on how to assemble your own home-made unit!

While the book goes into some of physics behind all things related to solar energy (e.g. semiconductor physics, energy storage considerations, some basic circuitry, etc.), it's not so ridiculously technical that it becomes a cure for insomnia or a college textbook.

I think I learned a lot from this book, and I personally can't wait to do one of these PV solutions on my own and do my best to be greener

Customer Rating:
Summary: Practical Photovoltaics
Comment: I am becoming increasingly interested in photovoltaics. When purchasing this book I had already read two texts. It is an excellent immersion text that takes you beyond the elementals into the details of how it works, why, and how they are manufactured. After reading this text I feel a lot more comfortable discussing photovoltaic issues with professionals in the field, and I am actually able to contribute to the conversation. The only drawback is that the text is somewhat in need of updating.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Richard Komp: physicist, historian, and social engineer
Comment: Practical Photovoltaics is one of the finest, most comprehensive guides to the world of solar energy. The book starts with a beginer's course in solid state physical devices (which taught even an Electrical Engineer such as myself new things) and leads into the history of solar cell materials and procedures over the years. Next comes an in-depth discussion of the various types of materials, and how they are suited for different applications. He makes logical predictions about the future of some of these materials, and hints around at what new techniques scientists are starting to look at today.
In the appendix, he even describes how to assemble your own array of solar cells for those who wish to try a hands-on approach to learning.
Oh, yeah, one more thing: he has a decent list of recomended readings at the end of each chapter, allowing you to select topics that interest you to continue your reading.