This book integrates economic, social, environmental, policy, and engineering issues related to renewable energy. It covers fundamentals, including the transfer of energy, as well as the limitations of natural resources. Starting with solar energy, the text illustrates how energy from the sun is transferred and stored; used for heating, cooling, and lighting; collected and concentrated and converted into electricity. This new edition has been updated throughout and adds new information on bioenergy, energy balance (energetics), biodiesel, applications, and climate change.
