Solar Energy

This title includes a number of Open Access chapters.Due to climate change, the rise in energy demand, and issues of energy security, more countries are being forced to reexamine their energy policies and consider more renewable sources of energy. Solar power is expected to play a significant role in the changing face of energy economies, due in a large part to technological advances in the field and the significant decrease in cost. This book describes these advances and examines the current state of solar power. The sections of the book cover the following topics: an overview of hybrid solar energy systems, solar energy and conservation, current solar energy technologies, the economics of solar power, and public perceptions of solar energy.