Organized in three parts, Part I introduces the fundamental principles of solar cell operation and design, Part II explains various technologies to fabricate solar cells and PV modules and Part III focuses on the use of solar photovoltaics as part of the system for providing electrical energy. In addition to this, numerous chapter-end exercises are given to reinforce the understanding of the subject.
The text is intended for the undergraduate and postgraduate students of engineering for their courses on solar photovoltaic technologies and renewable energy technologies. The book is of immense use for teachers, researchers and professionals working in the photovoltaic field. In a nutshell, this book is an absolute must-read for all those who want to understand and apply the basics behind photovoltaic devices and systems.
CHETAN SINGH SOLANKI, Ph.D., is Visiting Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Gandhinagar. Previously, he was with the Department of Energy Science and Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB). He is the recipient of Young Scientist Award from European Material Research Society (2003), Young Investigator Award from IIT Bombay (2009) and several other awards for paper presentations. He has also authored several books including Solar Photovoltaic Technology and Systems: A Manual for Technicians, Trainers and Engineers and Renewable Energy Technologies: A Practical Guides for Beginners, published by PHI Learning, New Delhi. The Hindi version of latter book received first prize from Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Govt. of India in 2011.
His research areas of interest include PV cells and systems, high efficiency c-Si cells, Si-nanostructures for PV applications, thin film c-Si solar cells and concentrated PV systems. Dr. Solanki is currently one of the principal investigators of National Center for Photovoltaic Research and Education (NCPRE) at IIT Bombay which is funded by MNRE. He is also running a project for providing solar lamps to millions of students in rural areas. Visit http://www.ese.iitb.ac.