The Solar Electric House

This book gives many good details on designing residential solar-electric systems. Chapter 1 gives a brief history of photovoltaic (PV) cells and installations, then discusses the nature of sunlight at the earth's surface. Chapter 2 discusses options and economics of systems.

Chapter 3 discusses selection of PV modules and design of arrays, taking into account such things as ambient tempuratures, latitude, type of cells, type of load, etc. Chapter 4 discusses batteries, their selection, maintenance, and connection.

Chapter 5 discusses system controls, backup generators, and DC-AC inverters. Additional chapters discuss determining your electrical requirements, connecting your system to the grid so that you can sell power, installation, and maintenance, as well as giving examples of different types of system.

The book is new enough that its information is still quite useful. Electrical knowledge is not absolutely required to use it (all terms are defined); but it will definitely come in handy. I felt quite comfortable with the electrical details, but then I'm an electronics technologist.

I highly recommend this book.