It is rare that a book draws together the knowledge and experience of scientists, each a world leader in their discipline, to create a work that presents the state of the art in a field as rich and diverse as solar energy.In Solar Energy -- the State of the Art this aim has been achieved. The book comprises 12 individual chapters, each dedicated to one of the major solar energy sub-disciplines and authored by an internationally recognized expert in the field. Areas covered range from solar radiation and meteorology, solar collectors and concentrators, solar energy and the built environment, to solar thermal electricity, photovoltaics, wind energy and the potential cost of ignoring solar energy resources. The papers examine the technology and field in question, discuss the rudiments and major applications, review the current science and technology and explore the remaining challenges for the future. TOPICS include: * solar and natural resources for a better efficiency in the built environment* glazings and coatings* selectively solar-absorbing coatings* solar collectors* solar water heating* photovoltaic physics and devices* solar concentrators* the cost of pollution and the benefit of solar energy* solar process heat: distillation, drying, agricultural and industrial uses* solar resource assessment: a review* solar thermal electricity* wind energy review Solar Energy -- the State of the Art is an essential reference work for all solar energy practitioners, students, researchers and engineers wishing to gain a broad-based understanding of the theory, technology, applications and issues surrounding the broad, interdisciplinary field of solar energy. The book will form an importantcomponent of any library's solar energy holding and will be of particular benefit as an academic reference, as well as being of practical value to professionals who wish to gain a clear understanding of the concepts required to move forward in this field.Solar Energy -- the State of the Art is an initiative of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES).