Chasing the Sun: Solar Adventures Around the World

by Neville Williams and Neville Williams

If millions of people in the developing world can use solar power, why can't the people in North America? The question immediately arises from this fascinating account of the author's twelve year... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0865715378
• ISBN13: 9780865715370
• Release Date: October 2005
• Publisher: New Society Publishers
• Length: 302 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.4" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

What a fantastic book!

This book is fun to read - it outlines the history of photovoltaics, the history of international development of photovoltaics, and the exciting history of the Solar Electric Light Fund. If you're interested in photovoltaics, and/or international development, this is THE resource of all resources - what works, what doesn't...

Great book on Solar business by someone who has figured out how to actually get things done!

First off, I am a solar industry wannabe. This book only heightens my interest in getting involved. It's pretty amazing to see what Mr. Williams has accomplished through his tireless drive to help thousands of people and villages get electricity. This is a great book by someone that seems to know how to cut through red tape and just get things done. He takes some jabs at big government run programs, MBA's, and some various large institutions that seem to get too caught up in theory and do not actually get anything done. It sounds like this criticism is well founded. Mr. Williams has been successful in creating numerous solar businesses around the globe. There are some great stories on him being the first white man to ever visit some villages. Hearing the stories from different villagers tell how their lives have changed since purchasing a solar system is truly inspiring. Not a technical book by anymeans (a nice change from most solar books), Chasing the Sun focuses more on how to make solar panels more commonplace and helping people while creating a successful "for profit" business. He is now trying to figure out how to replicate this in the US. That should make a great book too.

Unique and deeply valuable

Chasing the Sun is not only highly readable and entertaining; it is unique and deeply valuable. It is not about the machinery of solar energy, nor its hows and whys and whens. There are other books, easier to research, mostly harder to read, about these aspects. It is about the human dimension of solar energy, how people and their institutions collaborate or get in the way. It is unique because it is the memoir of a skilled journalist who put aside journalism to immerse himself purposefully in his subject; deeply valuable because the immersion lasted more than a decade. Importantly, it exposed the daunting political and institutional landscape that must be navigated to bring modern lighting and communications to the poorest regions of the world. It reminds of the Journal of Lewis and Clark. Theirs was a voyage of discovery. So was Williams'. Like Lewis and Clark, Williams had a mission, including a starting point and a goal, but no roadmaps or off-ramps. It was either move forward, or turn back; no riches or glory at journey's end, just a treasure beyond price, knowledge of the territory, its risks and its rewards, what works there and what doesn't; hopes and expectations betrayed and beautiful truths revealed. Our generation, Willams' and mine, expected its ideals to be shared and operative in the big world outside the small American heartland towns we grew up in. It turned out to be more complicated than that; the ideals came with a price. Williams leaves no doubt they were worth it. He learned that the poor that we tend to pity for not sharing our material wealth are mostly not dependent and miserable as we assume but rather resourceful and in some ways more credit-worthy than corporate America. They do need solar energy and they can and will in fact pay what it is worth to them. Who should read Chasing the Sun? Those in the ever-expanding global solar industry who have fought the good fight alongside Williams will find validation and encouragement. Those whose contributions are measured in meetings attended may be discomforted. But this is mainly a book for the rising generation. It is a reality book that belongs at the top of college course reading lists, because it speaks to the problems we are leaving to the next generation to solve for themselves and their children. It is a book of practical experience and an antidote to the notion that ideas and results are somehow magically connected. It speaks to the need to make things happen ourselves rather than assume our institutions are working on the problem. In his last chapter Williams addresses making things happen in the US. For many this will be the inspiration to make a difference.

Walt Ratterman - Renewable Energy in the Developing World

I have spent the past 5 years or so working with remote communities in some of the most far flung places of the world helping them help themselves with their own desire for lighting and electricity that only Renewable Energy, like solar power, can provide them. Mr. Williams' book is an excellent study of the challenges that must be overcome, in order to help people help themselves. While we often dont know whether our obstacles result from intentional disruptions or just complete incompetence, Neville does a tremendous job of laying out what these obstacles are, with ideas of how to get past them. Anyone anticipating working in this field should consider this a "must read" text book.

A wild story of TRUE international aid.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book -- and I don't choose just any solar book for my "spare time" pleasure. (I've been in the solar-electric business for 25 years). Neville is a man with a heart, and a fine storyteller. No, it won't teach you how to install solar on your home. That is not his purpose. Rather, it is about how solar is being slowly spread throughout the world in spite of interference by multi-national corporations and so-called "aid" institutions. Neville is to be commended for his honesty, admitting his own failings and sins. It lends a lively balance to the book, and makes it all the more meaningful. I recommend it to anyone involved in any aspect of international aid (not just energy), as well as those who wish to help propagate solar power. It's enjoyable and enlightening. Windy Dankoff Founder, Dankoff Solar Products (now Conergy, Inc.)