In view of these six points, we will need the collaboration of many actors:
certainly, the contribution of physicists, chemists, materials scientists and engineers. But we will also require the help of politicians, businessmen, bankers, home
owners, architects, industry leaders and regional planners.
For this reason, this book is intended for a wide spectrum of readers—far wider
than the narrow crowd of PV and solar energy specialists. As we are here looking
into the near future—into the coming 30 years—this book is specially intended for
use by the younger generation—by students and even youngsters from high school.
We have therefore tried to keep this book as accessible as possible—accessible also
to those who do not have a specialized scientific or technical education in photovoltaics or in any related fields. At the same time, we strived to be up-to-date and
include in this book the latest developments in PV. This was a difficult task, and I
do not know whether we have succeeded or not.
But as a reader of this book, do tell us whether we have really succeeded. Do tell
us where we have gone wrong. Have we written a passage that you simply could
not understand? Have we made a statement that you consider being wrong? Did we
leave out some information that you consider important? Are there oversights or
mistakes in this book?
You can very easily write to us: you have the email addresses and also the postal
addresses of everyone who has contributed to this book. We promise to reply to all
messages, which come to us. We are very much looking forward to hear from you.
Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Arvind Shah
Editor of the book
on behalf of all its authors
Preface
vii
certainly, the contribution of physicists, chemists, materials scientists and engineers. But we will also require the help of politicians, businessmen, bankers, home
owners, architects, industry leaders and regional planners.
For this reason, this book is intended for a wide spectrum of readers—far wider
than the narrow crowd of PV and solar energy specialists. As we are here looking
into the near future—into the coming 30 years—this book is specially intended for
use by the younger generation—by students and even youngsters from high school.
We have therefore tried to keep this book as accessible as possible—accessible also
to those who do not have a specialized scientific or technical education in photovoltaics or in any related fields. At the same time, we strived to be up-to-date and
include in this book the latest developments in PV. This was a difficult task, and I
do not know whether we have succeeded or not.
But as a reader of this book, do tell us whether we have really succeeded. Do tell
us where we have gone wrong. Have we written a passage that you simply could
not understand? Have we made a statement that you consider being wrong? Did we
leave out some information that you consider important? Are there oversights or
mistakes in this book?
You can very easily write to us: you have the email addresses and also the postal
addresses of everyone who has contributed to this book. We promise to reply to all
messages, which come to us. We are very much looking forward to hear from you.
Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Arvind Shah
Editor of the book
on behalf of all its authors
Preface
vii