Active Solar Systems is volume 6 in a series that surveys advances in solar energy research since the oil shock of the early 1970s. Books in the series document in particular the period 1973 to 1985, which spawned a rich array of federally financed technological programs and developments facilitating the practical use of solar energy. The twenty-two contributions in Active Solar Systems introduce design, analysis, and control methods for active systems and cover advances in the interconnected technologies for water heating, space heating, and space cooling. They show that, with effective marketing and with environmental costs factored into individual consumer decisions, there is strong potential for solar water heating and space heating, and that solar cooling has potential but needs further development to become commercially viable. The details of the materials involved in these technologies are covered in volume 5, Solar Collectors, Energy Storage, and Materials.

Provides a survey of solar geometry and meteorological data, the optics of various kinds of solar collectors, the mechanics of heat transfer, and private elements of system deign, optimization, and economic analysis. Also discussed are testing, methods and materials, and tracking and nontracking collectors.

Advances in Solar Heating and Cooling presents new information on the growing concerns about climate change, the security of energy supplies, and the ongoing interest in replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources. The amount of energy used for heating and cooling is very significant, estimated, for example, as half of final energy consumption in Europe. Solar thermal installations have the potential to meet a large proportion of the heating and cooling needs of both buildings and industry and the number of solar thermal installations is increasing rapidly. This book provides an authoritative review of the latest research in solar heating and cooling technologies and applications. - Provides researchers in academia and industry with an authoritative overview of heating and cooling for buildings and industry in one convenient volume - Part III, 'Solar cooling technologies' is contributed by authors from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, which is a world-leader in this area - Covers advanced applications from zero-energy buildings, through industrial process heat to district heating and cooling

This book presents techniques for building and optimizing structures with integrated solar energy systems. It describes active solar systems such as photovoltaics and parabolic concentrators as well as passive solar systems and covers optimal materials to use, daylighting, shading, solar blinds, rock and water energy storage and more. It discusses the best ways to site a solar structure considering exposure, elevation, slope, clearance, wind protection, etc. The book includes numerous full-color figures and more than 100 MATLAB® files.

Solar Hybrid Systems: Design and Application discusses the key power generation characteristics of solar systems and explores the growing need for hybrid systems. The authors use real-life examples to explain the disadvantages of solar systems without hybridization and to demonstrate the various applications hybrid solar systems can be used for, paying special attention to its integration with energy storage systems. The book also discusses the impact of hybridization and how this can improve power generation quality along with investigating novel and advanced hybrid solar systems. This is a useful reference for engineers and researchers involved in both the development and application of hybrid solar systems, and features topics such as solutions for the intermittence of renewable energy sources; on-gird and off-grid solar hybrid systems; the simulation, design and application of hybrid solar systems; the role of energy storage systems in solar hybrid applications; and the future of electric vehicles using solar hybrid systems. - Demonstrates the benefits of hybrid solar systems and why they are needed - Features practical advice on designing hybrid solar systems - Includes key findings and real-world examples to illustrate the applications of hybrid solar systems

A complete overview of solar technologies relevant to the built environment, including solar thermal energy for heating and cooling, passive solar energy for daylighting and heating supply, and photovoltaics for electricity production Provides practical examples and calculations to enable component and system simulation e.g. Calculation of U-values, I-V curve parameters and radiance distribution modelling Discusses the new trends in thermal energy use, including the architectural integration of collector systems, integrated ventilation photovoltaics facades and solar powered absorption cooling systems Coverage of cutting-edge applications such as active and passive cooling techniques and results from ongoing research projects

Solar Energy Applications in Houses: Performance and Economics in Europe provides information on the state of development of solar space and water heating technology and on the influence of climatic and economic factors on the attractiveness of solar systems. The book discusses the aspects of climate relevant to solar system and house designs; the impacts of the different European climates on the thermal design and heating requirements of individual houses; and the passive solar energy use in buildings. The text also describes the components of active solar energy systems; the performance of active solar energy systems; and the economics of solar space and water heating. The supporting activities for solar energy systems and other energy-saving technologies implemented by governments, companies, energy supply utilities, solar societies and the Commission of the European Communities are also considered. The book will be invaluable to potential buyers or owners of systems who need practical information on the technical and economic possibilities of domestic solar energy use in the various countries of the European Communities. The information is also important for those people in government, administration, industry and research institutions who are involved in assessing solar energy applications, in planning for the future energy supply, in developing support measures for the introduction of energy-saving methods and in marketing solar hardware.

An introduction to the fundamental science and engineering of solar energy technologies. Gives a concise and detailed review of solar energy and its interaction with materials, and discusses photovoltaic devices and solar thermal technologies like the solar chimney, solar (power) tower, flat plate water heater, and electricity generation.