Direct Use of the Sun's Energy

by Farrington Daniels

Solar collectors of solar radiation, cooking and heating water, agricultural and industrial drying, storage of heat, solar furnaces and engines, cooling and refrigeration, photochemical conversion, and many other uses.

391 pages, Paperback

First published March 11, 1964

Reviews

[Joshua]

Despite being written in 1964, there is nothing fundamentally missing from this book. If one takes a look at "Solar Energy" and similar journals, people are still working on the same basic ideas for solar heating, refrigeration, stills, etc.

In that sense, it is rather disappointing how little progress has been made. On the other hand, the slim chapter on photovoltaics, which indicates a price of $175/watt has probably advanced the most (remember, this is in 1964 dollars, so that is about $1750/watt in 2010 dollars...), which is truly remarkable. No basic theoretical improvement, just 45 years of good engineering and Moore's law.

Perhaps the exotic super-materials that everyone is making these days may revitalize some of the other proposals.

[David Cerruti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life, in some small ways. It's technical, but a college education isn't necessary for understanding. It was published in 1964, and is still valid. I'm amazed at how much progress we have made, and have not made.