Solar Energy Engineering, 2nd Edition

Chapter 1

Introduction

Abstract

This is the first chapter and the introduction to the book. The chapter initially presents the energy demand and renewable energy. It also provides a review on energy-related environmental problems which include acid rain, ozone layer depletion, and global climate change. It also presents briefly the problems created by the use of nuclear energy and the general benefits that renewable energy technologies offer. The state of climate is analyzed with respect to the global temperature, carbon dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide and sulfur hexafluoride, halocarbons, and sea level rise problems. It also gives a short historical introduction into solar energy, giving some details of the early applications. ...