Product Description

This book is a simple and entertaining introduction to solar electric. It is also a statement for clean energy and for environmentally healthy lifestyle. The reader will be introduced - through humor and analogies - to the basic electrical terms and the components of a solar system. Practical tips, including names and numbers, will give the reader some idea about reliable products and manufacturers. This expanded second edition is complete with index, glossary and charts.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #805770 in Books
• Published on: 2001-01-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 234 pages

From the Publisher
The first edition of this book found it's readers who apreciated the easy and funny style. This second edition is the fourth print and, with the rising interest in solar energy, will mostlikely require another printing in this year of 2001. The author seems to have his way of bringing a complex issue to the reader's attention. We received mail from people who just red it for the fun of it.

From the Author
I had to work on this second edition sooner then I anticipated. For once did the third print sell out in no time, but also did the solar industry experience such a boost on all levels that an upgrade became necessary.

Some readers were disappointed that this is not a "do it yourself" book, which it can be if you know the electrical trade. However, this is such a complex topic that I am presently writing on the second book, which will cover the practical aspect of solar desingn and installation.

I am happy to have received so much positive and also negative critique which found it's way into this second edition. Addional charts (so I hope) will help getting a more complete picture of how solar systems are desinged. Entire chapters have been rewritten and some new ones added. I surely hope that you will enjoy this issue as well as learning from it, and I am happy to be able to contribute to an understanding of new and alternative ways to clean up our planet.

About the Author
Adi Pieper is a native of Germany but has lived and worked in the USA since 1985. Since 1991, he has worked in the field of Solar Electric in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is an Electrical Contractor and the owner and president of ADI Solar. He also teaches classes about Solar Electric at the Santa Fe Community College.

Customer Reviews

Non-technical, entry-level solar electric book for beginners
I'm a technically-oriented, DIY person and I was looking for a solar electric book to help me with my small-scale, residential installation. I already have most of the background on photovoltaic systems and needed more of a "Here's-how-you-do-it" book. Although amusing and easily read, I found this book useful for someone who is starting to think about solar power and needs a light hand to make them feel more at ease about what a system will and will not do. This is not a book for someone needing a DIY guide or a "How-to" manual. It's not a bad book - just not useful for my needs.

Excellent Introducion
I am a builder and owner of the Natural House. I reviewed Mr. Piepers book and found it an excellent introduction for entry level solar customers. My electrician says: "finally a book not clutterd with useless and too detailed information". Personally I like the humor in this book and give the book as a present to every home owner I build a house for. Thank you Mr. Pieper for the excellent work!

Good book for novices - like me!
This book is silly and that is what helps me past the confusion of amps and watts and volts and cables. This is my most recent education in electrical engineering since fifth grade (and fixing some lamps and switches) and I am so glad I got this book and the installation manual.
Want to avoid mistakes. Some people may not like silly stories and humorous nonfiction. But for some of us, the humor both is illustrative, gives time to digest the technical ideas.
Great beginning book, does not scare me away from solar electric and that's exactly what I hoped for.