This book is the long awaited guide for anyone interested in renewables at home or work. It sweeps away scores of common misconceptions while clearly illustrating the best in renewable and energy efficiency technologies. A fully illustrated guide to renewable energy for the home and small business, the book provides an expert overview of precisely which sustainable energy technologies are appropriate for wide-spread domestic and small business application. The sections on different renewable energy options provide detailed descriptions of each technology along with case studies, installation diagrams and colour photographs, showing precisely what is possible for the average household. The chapter on how to select the renewable technology most appropriate for ordinary homes and businesses summarizes this analysis in a neat and easy to use table and demonstrates with examples exactly how to assess your local renewable resources.

Renewable technologies covered include wood energy, wind power, solar photovoltaics, solar thermal, passive solar, geothermal and air-to-air heat pumps as well as water or hydro based energy systems – plus the all-important subject of energy efficiency. Whilst written to be accessible to a wide audience, the book is targeted at readers who are keen to work with renewable technologies, students, building engineers, architects, planners, householders and home-owners.

"One significant feature of this book is its simple, smooth and tactfully appointed flow of information. The author defines every concept with patience before using it…This book is useful for those who want to study the fundamental concepts of renewable energy technologies, their benefits, drawbacks, costs and paybacks. It is also beneficial for those who wish to begin using renewables for their home or business." Iman Niknia in the International Journal of Environmental Studies

Dilwyn Jenkins was Executive Director at the Powys Energy Agency between 2000 and 2004 and currently works from Wales as a consultant and writer on environmental issues, mainly related to energy, rainforest conservation, community development and cultural travel. Much of his work has focused on projects in Peru and Brazil as well as in Wales, Italy, Scandinavia and Austria. He is the author of Wood Pellet Heating Systems (Earthscan, 2010).