Handbook of Photovoltaics: Section Finder
Preface
Photovoltaics is about to celebrate 50 years of its modern era. During this time,
the industry has grown from small satellite power supplies to utility-scale
systems that are now routinely installed in many countries of the world.
Solar cells capable of producing power in excess of 500 MW were manufactured
in 2002, providing electricity to a variety of applications ranging from
small consumer products, power systems for isolated dwellings and remote
industrial equipment to building-integrated solar arrays and megawatt-size
power stations.
This PracticaI Handbook of Photovoltaics addresses the need for a book that
summarises the current status of know-how in this field. It represents a detailed
source of information across the breadth of solar photovoltaics and is
contributed to by top-level specialists from all over the world. Over 1,000
references, bibliographies and web sites guide the reader to further details, be it
specific information for industrial production and research or a broad overview
for policy makers. Thirty-seven chapters in the handbook cover topics from
fundamentals of solar cell operation to industrial production processes, from
molecular photovoltaics to system modelling, from a detailed overview of solar
radiation to guidelines for installers and power engineers, and from architectural
integration of solar cells to energy payback, C02 emissions and photovoltaic
markets. Appendices include extensive bibliography and lists of standards,
journals and other sources of information which can be found in a printed or
electronic form.
The main credit for this handbook must go to the 47 contributors who have
produced a unique compilation of the contemporary knowledge in photovoltaic
science and technology.
Our thanks go to our families for their patience and support without which
this book would have never seen the light of day.
Luis Castafier
Barcelona
Tom Markvart
Southampton