This book is the product of the good will and hardwork of many people. The contributors, all recognized experts in their fields, are thanked for providing thoughtful, informative chapters and for accommodating editorial suggestions and revisions. Westview Press is thanked for providing the opportunity to address a serious omission in the energy literature. The Geography Department at the University of Maryland made a similarly generous commitment of secretarial staff and faciltiies. Allen ...

Solar energy is considered by many an attractive and practical option for America's energy future, one that is technically and commercially feasible as well as socially and environmentally desirable. Sun-generated power could meet upwards of 20 percent of U.S. energy needs by the year 2000—but only if there is a concerted national effort to use this energy option. The issues of implementation and the public and private initiatives needed to facilitate a transition to extensive use of solar...