Offers a comprehensive treatment of photovoltaic energy production, emphasizing system design along with performance prediction and evaluationCovers electrical and mechanical considerations for PV system design and installationProvides a historical analysis of the development of PV cells as well as statistical information on worldwide energy production and problemsPresents numerous figures, tables, and exercises that simplify and facilitate understandingIncludes problems and references in each chapter Study guide available with qualifying course adoptions Breakthroughs in thin film technology, increased efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, and other worldwide efforts to develop clean energy sources have led to an annual 15 percent increase in the manufacture and sale of solar cells. Experts predict this growth to continue, putting engineers skilled in photovoltaic (PV) systems at a premium.Photovoltaic Systems Engineering presents a comprehensive, engineering basis for PV system design. Unlike many PV design and installation manuals currently available, this book explains not only how to do it, but also why.Using a modified top-down approach, the authors have constructed a presentation that provides a quick exposure to all of the building blocks of the PV system. They then offer detailed design examples from practical systems, explaining why certain PV designs are done in certain ways-including economic and environmental issues-and how to implement the design process.What to do, how to do it, and why, Photovoltaic Systems Engineering explains it all-the electrical, mechanical, economic, and aesthetic aspects of PV system design. Readers mastering the contents of this book will have the engineering judgement needed to make intelligent decisions based on a clear understanding of the parameters involved in PV systems.