Book Review: Solar Electricity Handbook by Michael Boxwell

Nuclear power - I love it. The immense energy that it provides gives us electricity and light, and all without pollution.

(Editor's note: Bet that got your attention!)

Now some of you may be thinking that nuclear is not good for us. The nasty radiation, toxic half lives and such like. Those living near nuclear reactors may have these worries all the time. Will there be another Chernobyl? What about the leaks we hear about in the news?

(OK, enough now, read on...)

Fortunately, the reactor I'm talking about is a safe distance away - 93 million miles away in fact. The sun provides light, but also causes, indirectly, winds that can be used to drive wind turbines. In the Solar Electricity Handbook Michael Boxwell explains how to capture energy from the light that the sun gives us.

Michael doesn't make any assumptions or hide facts from us. Yes, it can be expensive. No, it probably won't provide all your electrical needs, but yes, you can make a positive difference to your electrical draw from the grid by using solar power.

The differences between electrical and heating systems are made clear, and although the book is aimed at those looking at solar electricity, several chapters are equally applicable to those installing solar heating, for example the optimum angle and position to site your collectors. This book is worth purchasing for those few chapters alone if you are planning a solar heating project.

The different types of system, grid tied and off grid, are explained, and the pros and cons of each are considered. Michael states that the grid tied systems may not make as much of a carbon emission reduction as some might think, and his logic behind this statement appears well founded. The differences in battery and solar panel types and how these can be wired are clearly explained, as are the ideal locations of the batteries and the sizes of the various cables used.

The book sets out the equipment required for installing a relatively small solar system. A guided example on how to calculate, design, install and commission a solar electricity system for a holiday cottage is used throughout the book, each chapter building on previous chapters. The pitfalls are highlighted, and even in the example, some decisions get changed due to various constraints that are imposed, just as would happen in a real world installation.

There is a level of maths involved, and you need to know the difference between volts, amps and watts, but all these are clearly explained and someone who has little or no understanding of electricity will easily understand. For those who do know the difference, the material is presented in such a manner that it is not condescending. The maths is a very important part of designing the system and although there are several steps involved, these are clearly described, with the holiday cottage calculations given as an example.

The last quarter of the book is made up of appendices. These give the average solar insulation for various cities in the UK, Ireland and USA, latitudes and sun heights, average power consumption of various equipment and a few hints and tips.

Michael also has a website that accompanies the book at www.solarelectricityhandbook.com where a lot of the maths is calculated for you. The website also covers insulation, latitudes and sun heights for Canada and Europe, which are not listed in the book.

For anyone planning to install either a solar electric or solar heat system, this book is well worth the asking price, and will be referred back to on several occasions.

Bernie Steadman

Available direct from the BGI £9.99 plus £2.50 p&p to any UK address.