Residential Solar Books
Search the internet for "green, "sustainable, "eco-friendly and other environment terms for book yields dozens of titles. Among them:
- Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by
William McDonough and Michael Braungart (North Point Press, 2002);
Paper or plastic? Neither, say William McDonough and Michael Braungart. Why settle for the least harmful alternative when we could have something that is better--say, edible grocery bags! In Cradle to Cradle, the authors present a manifesto calling for a new industrial revolution, one that would render both traditional manufacturing and traditional environmentalism obsolete. Why not eliminate the concept of waste altogether, while preserving commerce and allowing for human nature. Cradle to Cradle is a refreshing change from the intractable environmental conflicts that dominate headlines. It's a handbook for 21st-century innovation. --Therese Littleton
- The Lazy Environment-alist: Your Guide to Easy, Stylish,
Green Living by Josh Dorfman (Stewart, Tabori & Chang,
2007);
"Josh Dorfman's perspective is a leading voice for anyone involved in new consumer-based environmentalism. Tom Arnold, TerraPass
In The Lazy Environmentalist, Josh Dorfman host of the Sirius Satellite Radio program of the same name provides comprehensive guidance to fashion-forward consumers who are as concerned about the long-term health of our planet as they are about the design of their bathroom fixtures. Covering topics that range from clothing to electronic gadgetry, home decor to recreation, and gardening to financial investment, Dorfman lets us know which trends to watch and which eco-conscious products cars, toothbrushes, cell phones, pet accessories to buy. Green, it turns out, can be an extremely stylish color.
Instead of thinking about it ... DO IT. This amazing book has the scoop on products and ways to take care of this great planet. Become part of the movement that is loving the earth the way it truly deserves to be cared for!
-Mariel Hemingway
- Got Sun? Go Solar: Get Free Renewable Energy to Power Your Grid-Tied Home
(Paperback)
by Rex A. Ewing
This an an excellent non-technical reference guide for anyone considering going solar. Explains how solar power works, how to situate solar panels, what types of systems work best and much more.
- The Solar Electric House by Steven J. Strong
Solar electricity is the ideal source of power for an environmentally-responsive home whether it's a luxury residence or a rustic vacation retreat. With the right design, the sunlight that falls on your home site will power your home. Your solar electric system can also be easily configured to provide on-site recharging of solar/electric vehicles allowing you to meet your transportation needs with renewable energy. The Solar Electric House will tell you everything you need to know to decide if photovoltaic's are for you, including: Systems options and economics; Stand-alone and utility interactive systems; Descriptions of all key components; How to determine your electricity requirements; and How to design a solar electric house.
- Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook by John Schaeffer
Do you want to harvest sunlight, wind or falling water to power your home? Or sell that renewable energy back to your utility company? Are you looking to build your dream eco-home? This fully updated classic of sustainable living technology tells how and gives you access to the world's most extensive selection of hardware to make it all happen. This is the ultimate resource on renewable energy, sustainable living, alternative construction, green building, off-the-grid living and alternative transportation, written by experts with decades of personal experience and a passion for sharing their knowledge.
- Renewable Energy Handbook for Home Owners by William H. Kemp
This is a step-by-step guide to making (and selling) your own power from the sun, wind and water. Covers energy conservation methods as well as a host of ways in which homeowners can produce their own power. Very up to date and useful.
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The Renewable Energy Handbook: A Guide to Rural Energy Independence, Off-Grid
and Sustainable Living (Paperback) by William H. Kemp
The Renewable Energy Handbook focuses completely on off-grid, sustainable living and energy independence in a rural setting. Author William Kemp and his wife designed their own high-efficiency off-grid home in 1991. They worked methodically to produce a home which has all of the standard "middle-class" creature comforts while using six times energy than the average home.
This edition focuses specifically on off-grid concerns and contains chapters on: Energy conservation; Heating and cooling; Photovoltaic, wind and microhydro energy generation; Battery selection, voltage regulation and inverters; Backup power. The book is augmented with appendices and hundreds of illustrations, line drawings and photographs.
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The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy: Achieving Energy Independence through
Solar, Wind, Biomass and Hydropower (Mother Earth News Wiser Living) by Dan Chiras
The coming energy crisis caused by a peak in global oil and natural gas production will profoundly affect the lives of all North Americans. As the price of these vital fuels rises, homeowners will scramble to cut their fuel bills. Two options for meeting the upcoming challenge are dramatic improvements in home energy efficiency and efforts to tap into clean, affordable, renewable energy resources to heat and cool homes, to provide hot water and electricity, and even to cook.
The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy tells you how. It starts with some basic facts about energy. It then discusses energy conservation to slash energy bills and prepare for renewable energy options. Focusing carefully on specific strategies needed to replace specific fuels, the book then examines each practical energy option available to homeowners: Solar hot water, cooking, and water purification; Space heat: passive and active solar retrofits; Wood heat; Passive cooling; Solar electricity; Wind-generated electricity; Electricity from micro hydropower sources; Emerging technologies-hydrogen, fuel cells, methane digesters, and biodiesel -
The Solar House: Passive Heating and Cooling (Paperback) by Daniel D. Chiras
Passive solar heating and passive cooling--approaches known as natural conditioning--provide comfort throughout the year by reducing, or eliminating, the need for fossil fuel. Yet while heat from sunlight and ventilation from breezes is free for the taking, few modern architects or builders really understand the principles involved. Now Dan Chiras, author of the popular book The Natural House, brings those principles up to date for a new generation of solar enthusiasts. The techniques required to heat and cool a building passively have been used for thousands of years. Early societies such as the Native American Anasazis and the ancient Greeks perfected designs that effectively exploited these natural processes. In The Solar House, Dan Chiras sets the record straight on the vast potential for passive heating and cooling. Acknowledging the good intentions of misguided solar designers in the past, he highlights certain egregious--and entirely avoidable--errors. More importantly, Chiras explains in methodical detail how today's home builders can succeed with solar designs. With new technology and produces it is easier than ever before to create a comfortable and affordable passive solar house that will provide year-round comfort in any climate.
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The New Ecological Home: A Complete Guide to Green Building Options (Chelsea
Green Guides for Homeowners) (Paperback) by Dan Chiras
The New Ecological Home provides an overview of green building techniques, materials, products, and technologies that are either currently available or will be in the near future. Author Daniel Chiras provides a wealth of up-to-date, practical information for home buyers, owner-builders, and anyone interested in building for a sustainable future. Included are chapters on: The Healthy House; Green Building Materials; Wood-Wise Construction; Energy Efficiency; Earth-Sheltered Architecture; Passive Solar Heating and Passive Cooling; Green Power: Electricity from the Sun and Wind; Water and Waste: Sustainable Approaches; Environmental Landscaping.
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Green Building Products: The GreenSpec Guide to Residential Building Materials
(Paperback)
by Alex Wilson (Editor), Mark Piepkorn (Editor)
In this book are descriptions and manufacturer contact information for more than 1,400 environmentally preferable products and materials. All phases of residential construction, from site work to flooring to renewable energy, are covered. Products are grouped by function, and each chapter begins with a discussion of key environmental considerations and what to look for in a green product.
An index of products and manufacturers makes for easy navigation. There is no more comprehensive resource for both the engaged homeowner and those who design and build homes.
The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy gives readers sufficient knowledge to hire and communicate effectively with contractors and, for those wanting do installations themselves, it recommends more detailed manuals.
Book Sources
A large selection of books on all Solar Topics.
A good source for catalogs, books and videos on Solar Power, Hydropower, Windmills, Energy.
NorCal Solar Energy Association - Solar Books
They include a sampling of the many hundreds of worthy books on solar design. Books on how to plan, design, and install a photovoltaic system and resources available for DIY.
Enviromart: Educational Materials
Books and Written Materials on Residential Solar Electricity by Johnny Weiss. Guides on the purchase and installation of solar electric systems.
