| | |  | Renewable Energy | Home » » The Renewable Energy Handbook: A Guide to Rural Energy Independence, Off-Grid and Sustainable Living | | | | | | | Description: | | As oil prices continue to rise, many people are starting to think about how to unhook from the electricity grid. The Renewable Energy Handbook focuses completely on off-grid, sustainable living and rural energy independence. Author/engineer William H. Kemp, who is a leading expert in small- and mid-scale renewable energy technologies, designed and built his own off-grid home. The result is a house that has all the standard “middle-class” creature comforts while using less than five times the total fossil-fuel energy of the average North American house. The Renewable Energy Handbook focuses on the unique requirements of off-grid living and contains chapters on energy conservation; heating and cooling; backup power; domestic water heating; wireless communications; photovoltaic, wind, and microhydro energy generation; battery selection; and inverters. Since its release in 2003, The Renewable Energy Handbook has been a top-selling technology book and is recognized as the best book in its field. The book is augmented with hundreds of illustrations, line drawings, photographs, and appendices. | | | Product Details: | | | Author:
| William H. Kemp | | Paperback:
| 592 pages | | Publisher:
| Aztext Press | | Publication Date:
| April 01, 2006 | | Language:
| English | | ISBN:
| 0973323329 | | Package Length:
| 8.7 inches | | Package Width:
| 5.9 inches | | Package Height:
| 1.3 inches | | Package Weight:
| 2.1 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 37 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 37 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
79 of 83 found the following review helpful:
 R.E. Handbook by KempJan 10, 2007
By Nick Houser
"Arkansas Boy"
Best single source of information on this subject I've seen, as a professional in this field. Though perhaps not enough detail for expert system designers, it nevertheless
covers each item in some depth and explains it on a level that the layperson can not just understand, but maybe enjoy reading. Very good summary of a very large subject.
Excellent. I'll be giving them out to my customers. Nick
Houser, Off Grid Services.
86 of 96 found the following review helpful:
Renewable Energy is Energy IndependenceNov 09, 2006
By Maverick Brown
"Maverick Solar"
I own, consult for and sell items related to Solar Power and other forms of Renewable Energy. I read this book and use it as reference when people approach me about using Renewable Energy. It is a great source of knowledge and the author lives what he wrote about, which is refreshing. I recently ordered another 5 copies to pass out when people order a complete system from me, as a guide to other components they might need in their pursuit of Energy Indpendence. Maverick Solar
40 of 43 found the following review helpful:
 A rather simplistic book.May 24, 2009
By Brian D. Cunningham
I bought this book at the same time as another very good renewable energy reference based on the "Customers who bought this..." cross sell offered by Amazon. That's a mistake I won't make again.
The book may be helpful to a neophyte in the renewable energy field, but anyone with any kind of background will find it very basic. That the author uses the book to make subtle political statements is annoying. I was looking for detailed information, not political diatribe. I was disappointed.
27 of 30 found the following review helpful:
 The Good and BadJun 18, 2008
By W. Koonce
I would have given this book a four-star rating if not for the preaching that permeated each chapter. I didn't buy this book to learn how to save the planet from evil, wasteful humans. Having written that, the author does a good job explaining varied methods to exist without relying on the commercial power grid. Descriptions on different methods/technologies to accommodate the want to be self-sufficient when it comes to electrical power are comprehensive.
26 of 29 found the following review helpful:
Good overview of reducing dependance on the GridJan 24, 2008
By Hugh Watkins
I'm building a new house and I want to make sure it's the most energy efficient house I can afford to build, so I got this book to help look at some of the decisions like Solar PV, Solar water heating, Wind and Micro hydroelectric. I have been happy so far, the discussion on insulating so far has been geared toward existing houses but it's interesting to note that insulating the basement may give you a higher payback than more insulation in the attic.
I didn't understand what net-metering allows you to do before reading this book, although living in Georgia makes a PV system cost prohibitive since there are no state rebates.
Solar hot water looks very feasible and should have a pretty quick payback.
See all 37 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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