This book provides a comprehensive understanding of solar energy systems, with an emphasis on both photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal technologies. It combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills required to design, analyze, and implement efficient solar energy systems. The content offers an in-depth exploration of solar radiation principles, PV cells and systems, solar thermal collectors, energy storage methods, cost analysis, and relevant policies. Special attention is given to practical design methodologies, including numerous solved numerical problems and case studies.

• Breaks down complex scientific principles—such as Snell’s law, Bouguer’s law, and Max Planck’s electromagnetic theory, including the physics of solar radiation.
• Emphasizes practical implementation and design of solar energy systems.
• Serves as a comprehensive resource for solar energy technologies, starting with collector design and applications for solar heaters with storage.
• Explores cutting-edge solar thermal and PV technologies, such as solar cooling, passive solar architecture, solar distillation, and building-integrated PV.
• Includes numerical problems and case studies to aid in system sizing and design.

This book is aimed at graduate students, researchers in solar energy, and professionals in energy engineering and related fields.

Pankaj Kalita is an Associate Professor in the School of Energy Science and Engineering of the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India. His current areas of research include solar energy conversion, thermochemical and biochemical conversion, energy management, energy storage, and integration of renewable energy for remote electrification.

Pushpendra Singh is a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the School of Energy Science & Engineering of the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, India. He possesses about two years of experience in teaching undergraduate students. He earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the Madhav Institute of Technology & Science, Gwalior, India, under the National Doctoral Fellowship (NDF) program of AICTE. He has made notable contributions to the fields of solar thermal energy, solar distillation, and heat and mass transfer.