Power Systems and Renewable Energy

Solar and wind energy systems have flourished throughout theUnited States in the last few years as the public calls for reduceddependence on foreign oil. This has stimulated the growth of anindustry that provides wind and solar systems, and many small businesseshave sprung up to install these systems. Training programsand courses are now ubiquitous as the demand for designers andinstallers increases. This book provides a resource for engineering students interestedin the design and operation of solar electric, solar thermal,wind, and other renewable systems. While there are many good referencebooks on power systems and renewable energy, this bookintegrates the engineering basics of existing power systems withdesign problems and solutions using renewable energy sources. The author includes chapters on concepts and background review. Details of photovoltaic and wind systems as interconnected orstand-alone designs, estimating and predicting energy productionusing industry distribution functions and online programs, and conceptsof temperature coefficients, synchronization, power conversion,and system protection are explained and illustrated. The bookis a very "e;hands-on"e; practical guide, structured to motivate you toexperience the design and installation process.