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Synopsis
Regularly updated since 1982, this 30th Anniversary Edition is the definitive guide to renewable energy, sustainable living and transportation, alternative construction, natural and green building, homesteading, off-the-grid living and more.
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Amazon.com:
16 reviews
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Excellent
24 Feb 2008
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is the absolute best for covering renewable energy on a residential-sized scale. It covers all things solar/renewable energy: converting solar energy to electricity, wind generators, solar water heating, solar water pumping, energy conservation, off-the-electrical grid and grid intertie applications. There's an appendix with charts, maps and worksheets that help you design your own solar home and energy system. It is well written, with the information easy to follow. There is just enough theory included so you can follow the technical descriptions of the system components. It's got 634 pages and there's not much wasted space. The chapter on "Natural Burial" is a little over-the-top, but I guess the editor is just trying to be comprehensive.
I have lived off-grid for over seven years and teach a renewable energy class at a nearby community college. I tell my students that if they are going to buy just one book on renewable energy, to buy this, the latest edition of the Solar Living Sourcebook.
Keep in mind, this is a catalog for Giam/Real Goods. Products and services are described and prices are listed. They would like you to do business with them. I have found that many of the products listed can be found cheaper elsewhere, but having the prices listed is a plus...you can put together a system and get a ball-park figure (a little on the high side) on how much the system will cost you. In my opinion, Real Goods is a reputable company, very service oriented, and very knowledgeable.
If you want more information on residential sized renewable energy systems, the magazine Home Power (www.homepower.com) is superb. They publish six issues a year, with a hands-on type format that makes you want to get out there and build something!
If you are interested in using solar energy to make electricity, but want the advantages of being tied to the grid, the book Got Sun? Go Solar by Rex Ewing and Doug Pratt is excellent. If living off-the-grid is more to your taste, check out The Renewable Energy Handbook by William Kemp.
I have lived off-grid for over seven years and teach a renewable energy class at a nearby community college. I tell my students that if they are going to buy just one book on renewable energy, to buy this, the latest edition of the Solar Living Sourcebook.
Keep in mind, this is a catalog for Giam/Real Goods. Products and services are described and prices are listed. They would like you to do business with them. I have found that many of the products listed can be found cheaper elsewhere, but having the prices listed is a plus...you can put together a system and get a ball-park figure (a little on the high side) on how much the system will cost you. In my opinion, Real Goods is a reputable company, very service oriented, and very knowledgeable.
If you want more information on residential sized renewable energy systems, the magazine Home Power (www.homepower.com) is superb. They publish six issues a year, with a hands-on type format that makes you want to get out there and build something!
If you are interested in using solar energy to make electricity, but want the advantages of being tied to the grid, the book Got Sun? Go Solar by Rex Ewing and Doug Pratt is excellent. If living off-the-grid is more to your taste, check out The Renewable Energy Handbook by William Kemp.
26 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Real Goods Solar
16 Oct 2007
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I wish I had checked out the library copy before buying. If you're looking for a broad-based overview of eneregy options -- Solar, thermal, greywater, micro-hydro, landscape lights, bird fountains, etc -- this can be your one-shop-stop. Real Goods has blended energy overviews with their catalog, so if micro-hydro-electric (!?!?) interests you, then by all means look no further, Real Goods will be happy to retail out their product to you. However, I found most of the energy information available out on the 'net --free and more specific and informative, and alternate sources for energy products and options more abundant and lots cheaper.
If you have a serious interest in something specific, example PV systems, I found no single source, but recommend Kemp, "Got Sun? Go Solar" for helpful overview and great links and resources, and "The Renewable Energy Handbook", a better option to Real Goods. All from Amazon, and more applicable for actually getting greener and saving a buck in the process. These leave searching for the best and most applicable products and options to you, and there's much out there to choose from, and some very informative nuggets to be had along the way.
(FWIW: our city recently held a sustainable living fair, attended by Real Goods. But when I followed up on their "Call us when you're ready, happy to help you go green!", I received an abrupt "We don't service your area.". I guess green refers to the energy movement AND to those ready to cash in on it.)
If you have a serious interest in something specific, example PV systems, I found no single source, but recommend Kemp, "Got Sun? Go Solar" for helpful overview and great links and resources, and "The Renewable Energy Handbook", a better option to Real Goods. All from Amazon, and more applicable for actually getting greener and saving a buck in the process. These leave searching for the best and most applicable products and options to you, and there's much out there to choose from, and some very informative nuggets to be had along the way.
(FWIW: our city recently held a sustainable living fair, attended by Real Goods. But when I followed up on their "Call us when you're ready, happy to help you go green!", I received an abrupt "We don't service your area.". I guess green refers to the energy movement AND to those ready to cash in on it.)
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Outstanding bible on solar energy
16 Sep 2007
Format:Paperback
I am an engineer and was looking for a book that has an easy to understand yet fact based and accurate book on solar energy implementation.
i was not disappointed. This is one of the best basic reference book on different uses of solar energy that you can find on the marker.
i was not disappointed. This is one of the best basic reference book on different uses of solar energy that you can find on the marker.
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