Renewable Energy Systems is an introductory text that offers broad coverage of all major renewable energy systems, resources, and related topics, such as wind turbines, solar energy, biomass, geothermal energy, water related power generation, fuel cells and generators. The text’s teaching and learning package includes an Instructor’s Manual and a set of PowerPoint slides that support the text with illustrations, additional examples, selected key terms, and a True/False quiz.
Accessible presentation:
Physics and mathematics are made accessible to readers by introducing the basic physics of electricity, energy, and power through examples that include both metric and English units in the explanations and limiting mathematics to basic algebra.
Each chapter opens with an outline, objectives, key terms list, introduction, and companion website address, providing a clear roadmap to the chapter’s content.
Section openers give a brief overview of what each section within a chapter covers, giving readers an opportunity to reflect on what they just learned before moving on to the next concept.
Key terms are highlighted throughout each chapter.
Margin features throughout the book highlight interesting or historical information related to the topic being covered.
Important formulas are numbered for reference and listed at the end of each chapter, offering readers a useful study tool.
Each chapter closes with a summary and definition of key terms, which are also listed and defined in a glossary.
A list of variables and meanings is provided at the end of the book.
Applied practice:
Special emphasis is given to topics that have applications in a range of renewable energy technologies, such as charge controllers/inverters, energy storage, and generators and the grid.
Section check-ups contain questions related to each section within a chapter. Answers to check-ups are provided at the end of the chapter.
Worked-out examples throughout the chapter help readers apply the concepts.
A True/False quiz, multiple-choice questions, and question and problem sets at the end of each chapter offer ample opportunity for readers to practice what they have learned. Answers to the True/False quiz and multiple-choice questions are given at the end of the chapter.
A suggested class discussion item at the end of each chapter offers even more opportunity for instructors and students to explore the use of renewable technologies and materials in the real world.
Visually engaging:
The text’s full-color design helps to clearly illustrate concepts for readers and makes for a more engaging presentation of the chapter content.
Abundant illustrations, many original and previously unpublished, help students understand the role of renewable energy technologies throughout the text.


Table of Contents

1. Energy Sources
2. Electrical Fundamentals
3. Solar Photovoltaics
4. Solar Energy Systems
5. Solar Tracking
6. The Charge Controller and Inverter
7. Wind Power Systems
8. Wind Turbine Control
9. Biomass Technologies
10. Geothermal Power Generation
11. Energy from Water
12. Fuel Cells
13. Generators
14. The Electrical Power Grid
Glossary
List of Variables
Index.