This textbook is intended for an audience with little or no power engineering or renewable energy background. The book covers electric energy from alternative energy, sources, including solar, wind, water, hydropower, geothermal, and ocean energy. Core issues discussed include wind and solar resource estimates and analysis, solar thermal systems, solar collectors, photovoltaics, wind turbines, geothermal energy, energy small hydropower, wave, tide and ocean energy, and characteristics of energy conversion control, and electrical aspects. This is one of the most comprehensive textbooks for students, engineers, and professionals who study renewable energy. There are several questions and problems presented with increasing difficulty, most of which focus on practical application. The materials and problems are drawn form the author's extensive experience in renewable energy analysis, assessment, design, control, and the power electronics of wind and solar energy conversions systems. Each section of the book contains several solved examples, as well as practical and advanced discussions that instill critical thinking and apply to industrial applications. The book is divided into eight chapters and covers the most important aspects of renewable energy sources and technologies.

Offers comprehensive methods in analysis, characterization, and assessment of the major renewable energy sources, Introduces in theoretical concepts and principles of major renewable energy conversion systems in a manner that is easily digestible by junior students, beginners in the field, engineers, and renewable energy practitioners, Introduces key concepts of design and modeling methods and techniques used in renewable energy generation, Presents the most common direct applications of major renewable energy systems, Includes many solved examples and end-of-chapter questions and problems, helping readers to understand the theory and concepts Book jacket.