Encyclopedias and Dictionaries

In order for the user to become familiar with the terms and aspects of solar energy, these sources provide a good introductory overview of the subject along with bibliographies and reading lists that will allow the reader to begin further research.

• Bisio, Attilio, and Sharon Boots. The Wiley Encyclopedia: Energy and the Environment. 2 vols. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997.
  Davis Reference TJ163.235 .W55 1997
  Provides bibliographic sources and conversion tables. Topics covered include: solar cells, photovoltaic energy, current and future use of solar energy, solar cooking, solar heating, passive solar technology, active solar technology, heat storage, solar ponds, solar thermal electric power, and supercars (solar powered cars).

• Golob, Richard, and Eric Brus. The Almanac of Renewable Energy. New York: Henry Holt & Co., 1993.
  Davis Reference TJ808.3 .G65 1993
  Considered a valuable resource for understanding the benefits of renewable energy. Includes tables, bibliographic references and index. Topics covered include: sustainable energy development and management, non-renewable energy sources, hydroelectric energy, biomass energy, geothermal energy, solar thermal energy, photovoltaic energy conversion, wind energy, ocean energy, energy storage, energy efficiency.

• Hunt, V. Daniel, dir. Solar Energy Dictionary. New York: Industrial Press, Inc., 1982.
  Davis Reference TJ810 .H86 1982
  Provides an introduction to various solar technologies and definitions of more than 3000 solar terms, processes and products. The first chapter, "Rediscovering the Sun," provides an overview of solar energy and its uses. Easy to understand terminology and well organized. Includes photographs, illustrations, graphs, and metric conversion tables. Appendix includes information on private organizations, national government, and regional organizations. Includes bibliographic references and acronym and abbreviation table.