Solar Electric Systems for Africa

Book excerpt: This book is about making solar electricity available to people in rural Africa. It describes how, with guidance from an electrician, anyone can adapt a solar electric system to their own needs. Thirteen chapters cover the following essential solar electric topics: estimating local solar resource; solar electric, battery, and charge controller choice and technology; choosing lamps, appliances and small tools; low voltage wiring principles and practice; planning, installing and maintaining a system. The revised edition has added a new chapter with information and resources about the solar electric industry in East and Southern Africa. The book also includes planning worksheets, wiring guides, meteorological information and well-illustrated examples.