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Jeffrey R. Yago, an engineer with his own PV system, wrote this book for all those people who want to become independent of the electric grid or who are at a place where access to the grid is not possible but nevertheless still need electric power.
His book is a guide through the large number of alternative solutions for getting power without a utility. Yago took care not to go too quickly to the technical details and outlines things – as the books title says – step by step. Thus people should be able to follow the text who are not familiar with the technical language or details of photovoltaics or small wind turbines. Yago starts with a brief discussion of the electric grid, then reviews where electricity is used in an average home, and finally finds solutions for how to generate power. A big part of the book is also dedicated to reducing the energy need by using high efficiency lighting and appliances, which in turn reduce the size and therefore the costs of the back-up and solar power system to be installed. The last chapters provide precise design guidelines and wiring diagrams for all of the most popular solar PV, wind, and generator-based power systems. An appendix includes the latest dimensions for solar hardware and electrical consumption data for the newest appliances and lighting systems. All information is based on Yago’s own measurements. »We have found most manufacturer name plate is ›worst case‹ which rarely indicates normal use energy consumption,« Yago points out. Published at the end of 1999, the database is very new. At $29.95 USD it is not too expensive and can be recommended to all who distrust the 24-hour availability of grid power or who simply want to be electrically independent, hoping for the »peace of mind« the author promises.ak Dunimis Technology
Inc. Anne
Kreutzmann
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