Applied Photovoltaics

The new edition of this thoroughly considered textbook provides a reliable, accessible and comprehensive guide for students of photovoltaic applications and renewable energy engineering. Written by a group of award-winning authors it is brimming with information and is carefully designed to meet the needs of its readers.

Along with exercises and references at the end of each chapter, it features a set of detailed technical appendices that provide essential equations, data sources and standards. The new edition has been fully updated with the latest information on photovoltaic cells, modules, applications and policy.

Starting from basics with 'The Characteristics of Sunlight' the reader is guided step-by-step through semiconductors and p-n junctions; the behaviour of solar cells; cell properties and design; and PV cell interconnection and module fabrication. The book covers stand-alone photovoltaic systems; specific purpose photovoltaic systems; remote area power supply systems; grid-connected photovoltaic systems and water pumping. Applied Photovoltaics is highly illustrated and very accessible, providing the reader with all the information needed to start working with photovoltaics.

Stuart Wenham is a Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales and Director of the University's ARC Photovoltaic Centre of Excellence. In a career spanning more than a quarter of a century, he has invented or co-invented eight suites of solar cell technologies that have been licensed to solar cell makers around the world. He is the recipient of numerous Australian and international PV and Innovation awards and established the world's first Photovoltaics Engineering Degree program at the University of NSW.

Martin Green is currently a Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia and Executive Research Director of the University's Photovoltaic Centre of Excellence. His group's contributions to photovoltaics include development of the world's highest efficiency silicon solar cells and commercialization of several different cell technologies. He is the author of several books on solar cells and numerous papers. His work has resulted in many major international awards including the 2002 Right Livelihood Award, commonly known as the Alternative Nobel Prize, the 2007 SolarWorld Einstein Award and the 2009 ENI Award for Renewable and Non Conventional Energy.

Muriel Watt is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of NSW. Current appointments include Chair of the Australian Photovoltaic Association, Australian representative on the Executive Committee of the International Energy Agency Photovoltaics Power Systems Programme (PVPS) and member of the Research Advisory Committee for the Australian Solar Institute. She has undertaken research, teaching and consultancy work in the areas of renewable energy development, policy and application since 1980.

Richard Corkish graduated with distinction as a Communications Engineer from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in 1986 then worked with the CSIRO Division of Radiophysics on satellite earth-station antenna design and testing before studying for a PhD degree under the supervision of Professor Martin Green at the University of New South Wales' Centre for Photovoltaic Devices and Systems. After a brief period working with the Rainbow Power Company in Nimbin he has worked on solar cell theory, applications and education at UNSW. He is currently the Head of School at the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, UNSW.

Alistair Sproul has been involved in photovoltaics and energy efficiency since 1985, holding various positions in both industry and academia. He is currently an Associate Professor within the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering. His teaching and research interests are in the areas of PV systems, efficient buildings and high efficiency pumping systems.