The papers included in this issue of ECS Transactions were originally presented in the symposium ¿Photovoltaics for the 21st Century 6 ¿, held during the 218th meeting of The Electrochemical Society, in Las Vegas, Nevada from October 10 to 15, 2010.

This book examines solar technologies, describes their properties, and evaluates the technological potential of each. It also reviews the logistics of deploying solar energy as a viable and sustainable way to solve urgent energy, environmental, and socio-economic problems. Topics discussed include solar power generation, today’s solar technologies, solar thermal, silicon PV, thin PV, 3-D solar cells, nano-PV, organic solar cells, solar successes and failures, solar power fields, finance and regulations, solar markets and solar energy and the environment.

The integration of photovoltaics (PV) into buildings goes beyond energy saving by providing a clean and elegant way of actually generating electricity. There are already numerous successful examples and rapid technological improvements promise expansion of PV's present niche market to that of a major energy provider of the 21st century. This handbook is the outcome of a five year programme which took place under the auspices of the International Energy Agency. Architects and solar experts from 13 countries addressed the wide range of engineering and architectural issues involved in the successful integration of PV into buildings. It demonstrates how to maximise the overall solar contribution to the building; integrate PV effectively with the building structure; clarify the relationship of PV with other elements of the building's energy system; optimise the system economics. It forms a thorough design guide that covers all aspects if the subject and will enable all building designers, engineers and property owners to make the integration of PV into buildings an architecturally appealing and energetically effective option.

This book of the NATO Science Series presents the state-of-the-art of Desalination Technologies driven by Renewable Energies, highlighting the results achieved in the research field and presenting the potentialities of such technologies. It provides an up-to-date point-of-reference on the topic, giving an extensive overview of the current status of solar desalination, both from the research and industrial point of view.

Photovoltaics, the direct conversion of sunlight to electricity, is now the fastest growing technology for electricity generation. Present "first generation" products use the same silicon wafers as in microelectronics. "Second generation" thin-films, now entering the market, have the potential to greatly improve the economics by eliminating material costs. Martin Green, one of the world’s foremost photovoltaic researchers, argues in this book that "second generation" photovoltaics will eventually reach its own material cost constraints, engendering a "third generation" of high performance thin-films. The book explores, self-consistently, the energy conversion potential of advanced approaches for improving photovoltaic performance and outlines possible implementation paths.

This e-book is organized in a way to facilitate the reader's progressive learning. The structure is composed of the following chapters: Chapter 1: Introduction: A brief history of the development of the photovoltaic system and its evolution. Chapter 2: Fundamentals of Solar Photovoltaic Energy: Detailed explanation of the technical concepts behind solar energy. Chapter 3: Diagnosis of the Energy Consumption Profile: How to calculate energy consumption to correctly size the system. Chapter 4: Photovoltaic System Sizing: Step by step to calculate the number of plates needed. Chapter 5: Inverter Sizing: Calculations to choose the suitable inverter. Chapter 6: Installation of the Photovoltaic System: Practical guide for safe installation of components. Chapter 7: Project Approval: How to approve the project with the energy concessionaire. Chapter 8: Budget and Purchase of Materials: Tips for finding the best suppliers and calculating costs. Chapter 9: Monitoring and Maintenance: How to monitor energy generation and carry out system maintenance. Chapter 10: Tips for starting a business in the Solar sector: Tips on how to start your business and market opportunities. Chapter 11: Examples of Sizing a Photovoltaic Plant: Step by step to carry out the sizing of a Photovoltaic plant. This division ensures that the reader, regardless of their experience, is able to progress in a structured way, acquiring the knowledge necessary to carry out a complete project.

As perhaps the most promising of all the renewable energy sources available today, solar energy is becoming increasingly important in the drive to achieve energy independence and climate balance. This new book is the masterwork from world-renowned expert Dr. Soteris Kalogirou, who has championed solar energy for decades. The book includes all areas of solar energy engineering, from the fundamentals to the highest level of current research. The author includes pivotal subjects such as solar collectors, solar water heating, solar space heating and cooling, industrial process heat, solar desalination, photovoltaics, solar thermal power systems, and modeling of solar systems, including the use of artificial intelligence systems in solar energy systems, modeling and performance prediction. *Written by one of the world's most renowned experts in solar energy*Covers the hottest new developments in solar technology, such as solar cooling and desalination*Packed with quick look up tables and schematic diagrams for the most commonly used systems today'