Writing the book on solar
University of Delaware researchers contributed heavily to the ‘go-to’ book on solar energy
10:12 p.m., April 3, 2011--The one-story building housing some of the world’s premier solar researchers could easily be mistaken for a garage or large storage shed. The work happening there is far more spectacular than the drab building might indicate.
Inside, the University of Delaware Institute for Energy Conversion (IEC) investigates and innovates advances in photovoltaics, the conversion of light into electricity. Established in 1972, IEC is the world’s oldest solar lab. Today it and UD are world leaders in this area, a boast backed by UD’s overwhelming presence in a new book, the Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, second edition. Steve Hegedus, a scientist at IEC, co-edited the 1,168-page hardcover, in which he and four other UD researchers wrote chapters.
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“The combination of our long historical view and our very up-to-date technology awareness really made them good choices to contribute to the book,” Hegedus said.
The book’s publisher labels it the “most comprehensive, authoritative and widely cited reference on photovoltaic solar energy.” The book details every aspect of photovoltaics -- from materials to production to installation and even various governments’ policies and tax breaks offered for their use.
Hegedus, who also co-edited the first edition of the book, said it appeals to a broad audience: graduate students, technicians working in industry, managers of solar cell manufacturers and investors.
Bill Shafarman, a scientist at IEC, co-wrote a chapter on one type of solar cell. He said he wrote with several groups in mind, trying to strike a balance.
“It can appeal to new people and also people who’ve been in the field, maybe broaden their perspectives,” Shafarman said.
Brian McCandless, an associate scientist at IEC, also contributed a chapter, as did two researchers from the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy, Lado Kurdgelashvili and John Byrne. Kurdgelashvili is a policy fellow and Byrne is the center’s director and Distinguished Professor of Energy and Climate Policy.
Article and video by Andrea Boyle
Photo by Evan Krape