INTRODUCTION
Act 1 DAWN 1972 - 1984
Damn the torpedoes and full steam ahead
Cook book: how to make solar cells and modules
Betting on horses
The dawn of the terrestrial PV - solarex: the beginning and...
... Almost a premature end
chevron solar cells
The silicon enigma
Silicon, the second most common element in the earth's crust
The evolution of the terrestrial PV modules - the importance of testing and quality
Dreamers and sobering reality
Photovoltaic systems
stand alone or off grid PV systems
1975 the year of change
The importance of consumer business
Micro-generators and ...
... and a permanent bridge to europe
The micro-generator mushroom resulting in a solar thin-film solution
PV for the people
Story about success and cash flow
Water pumping with PV
Navigational aids
Amorphous silicon (a-si) the first successful thin film solar cell
Act 2 SUNRISE 1985 - `999
Changing landscape
The Big Oils' involvement in PV
Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and PV roofs
Space applications used in everyday life: Communication Satellites and GPS
Development of the global PV quality program
World bank's trailblazing role for PV in developing countries
Japan and then Europe take over the baton
Three axioms that will shape the future of PV
Does PV need government subsidy or can it be financed privately?
Grass roots - common sense.
Act 3 TOWARDS HIGH NOON 2000 - 2013
The winding road to the feed in tariff (FiT)
A new silicon enigma and thin film PV alternatives
PV becomes unstoppable
The Chinese miracle ( ) part one
The Chinese miracle ( ) part two
Concentrated, tracking and the solyndra PV systems
The PV rollercoaster
The last barrier: bankability= proof of quality/reliability
The effect of PV on the transformation of the electric utilities
Energy independence and the wireless environment
EPILOGUE ....................................................................525
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ANNEX
Annex - Metallurgical and polycrystalline silicon
Annex - Float zone (FZ) and EFG processes
Annex - Qualification testing of PV modules and PV standards
Annex - Early photovoltaic pilot applications in the European Union
Annex - US and Canadian coast guards solar modules for navigational aids
Annex - Space solar cells conversion efficiency of light to electricity
Annex - Satellite navigation systems in use or in development in various countries
Annex - Regional PV manufacturing shares
Annex - 25 year life prediction of PV modules
Annex - PV GAP training manual covers
Annex - China General Certification center (CGC) photovoltaic (PV) product certification
Annex - Electricity storage systems
INDEX