Shrikaant Kulkarni, PhD, is an Adjunct Professor at the Victorian Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Australia. With over four decades of experience, he has published over 100 research papers and edited numerous books in fields such as green chemistry and nanotechnology.Susanta Das, PhD, is a Professor and Researcher at Ajeenkya DY Patil University, Pune, India. He obtained his PhD from Western Michigan University, USA, and has received numerous fellowships and awards throughout his academic career.

• Notes on Contributors xxiPreface xxxv1 Basics of Solar Energy and Sustainable Applications 1Namratha Bhandari, Sushma, and Santosh L. Gaonkar1.1 Introduction to Solar Energy in the Context of Sustainability 11.2 Solar Energy Essentials and Photovoltaic Technology 21.3 Emerging Solar Technologies and Innovations 61.4 Design and Implementation of Solar Energy Systems 91.5 Smart Solar Systems: Role of Artificial Intelligence and IoT 121.6 Solar-Powered Architecture and Urban Integration 141.7 Environmental, Economic, and Social Benefits of Solar Energy 191.8 Challenges and Limitations in Solar Energy Adoption 221.9 Future Outlook and Research Directions 251.10 Conclusion 28List of Abbreviations 29References 302 Introduction to Solar Energy and Sustainability 37Sudarshana Banerjee, Surya Pratap Singh, Diwesh Kumar, and Shailesh Kumar Sarangi2.1 Introduction 372.2 Fundamentals of Solar Energy 402.3 Sustainability and Solar Energy 452.4 Contribution to the SDGs 462.5 Technological Advancements and Innovations 482.6 Socioeconomic Impacts 492.7 Challenges and Limitations 502.8 Policy and Global Adoption 512.9 Future Outlook 512.10 Conclusion 52List of Abbreviations 52References 533 Foundations of Solar Power Systems 59Zahid Ahmad Thoker and Lovleen Marwaha3.1 Introduction 593.2 Principle of Solar Power: Photovoltaics and Beyond 643.3 Designing Solar Architecture for Maximum Efficiency 683.4 Solar Energy Storage Solutions 703.5 System Components and Hardware Selection 793.6 Discussion 803.7 Conclusion 81References 814 Corporate Social Responsibility and Solar Power: The Role of Solar Energy 87Sunitha Sampathi, Pallavi Kale, Shital D. Godse, Nitiraj V. Kulkarni, and Ayathi Gadde4.1 Introduction 874.2 The Business Case for Solar-Powered CSR Initiatives 884.3 Factors Affecting CSR in the Solar Energy Sector 904.4 Most Important Factors Influencing CSR Integration in Solar Energy Adoption 904.5 Corporate Strategies for Solar Energy Implementation in CSR Frameworks 934.6 Hurdles to Corporate Solar Adoption: Challenges and Barriers 954.7 Case Studies in Corporate Solar Adoption 994.8 Conclusion 102List of Abbreviations 102References 1025 Environmental Impact of Solar Power System 105Sunitha Sampathi, Inaya R. Shaikh, Annapurna A. Batgiri, and RukhsarE.Pathan5.1 Introduction 1055.2 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Solar Energy 1065.3 PV System Carbon Footprint 1115.4 Utilizing Resources and Extracting Materials 1135.5 Environmental Risks and Toxic Contaminants 1155.6 Recycling and Waste Management Issues 1185.7 Sustainable Design and Manufacturing Advances 1225.8 Policy Perspectives and Regulatory Frameworks 1255.9 Future Perspective: A Circular Solar Economy 1295.10 Conclusion 131References 1326 AI and IoT Revolutionizing Solar Energy: Smarter, Greener, Better 149A. Ashwini6.1 Introduction to Solar Energy in Sustainable Development 1496.2 Basics of Artificial Intelligence in Energy Systems 1506.3 Synergy Between AI and IoT in Power Systems 1526.4 Predictive Maintenances of Solar Panels 1536.5 Real-Time Monitoring of Solar Installations 1546.6 Smart Sensors and Actuators in PV Arrays 1566.7 Peer to Peer Energy Trading Using Blockchain and IoT 1586.8 Successful Deployments of AI–IoT Solar Systems 1606.9 Sustainability and Carbon Footprint Reduction 1616.10 Digital Twins for Solar Plant Simulation 1626.11 Conclusion 164References 1647 Tamm Plasmon-Enhanced Organic Photodetectors for Narrowband Near-Infrared Sensing 167Krishanu Poddar, Samir Kumar, and Partha Sona Maji7.1 Introduction 1677.2 Device Design and Structural Configuration 1697.3 Simulation Results 1727.4 Conclusion 174List of Abbreviations 175References 1768 AI and IoT in Solar Power Systems 179Soumojit Maitra, Rik Mistri, Susmit Ray, Rezu Mistri, Piyal Roy, and Sanchita Ghosh8.1 Introduction 1798.2 Fundamentals of Solar Power Systems 1828.3 IoT in Solar Power Systems 1868.4 AI Applications in Solar Energy 1918.5 Synergistic Integration of AI and IoT 1968.6 Benefits and Impact Analysis 1998.7 Challenges and Future Prospects 2028.8 Conclusion 204List of Abbreviations 205References 2059 IoT and LPWA Technologies for Sustainable and Efficient Solar Energy Deployment in Bharat 209Suresh Nanda Kumar, V. Sasirekha, and S. Chandrasekar9.1 Introduction 2099.2 Literature Review 2119.3 Methodology 2139.4 Analysis and Results 2149.5 Discussion 2229.6 Conclusion 223List of Abbreviations 224References 22410 Optimizing Workflows with Digital Tools 227Devanshi Srivastava and Adarsh Kumar Arya10.1 Introduction 22710.2 Understanding Workflow Optimization 22810.3 Identifying and Addressing Inefficiencies in Optimizing Workflows with Digital Tools 22910.4 Essential Digital Tools for Workflow Enhancement 23010.5 Enhancing Communication and Collaboration in Optimizing Workflows 23210.6 Data Management and Performance Measurement in Optimized Workflows 23410.7 Future Trends and Conclusion 235References 23611 Workflow Optimization and Management: AI and IoT in Solar Power Systems 241D. Jasmine Priskilla11.1 Introduction 24111.2 AI and IoT in Solar Power Systems: A Synergistic Overview 24411.3 AI-Driven Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance 24611.4 IoT-Based Smart Grid and Energy Management 24711.5 Workflow Optimization for Solar Power Systems 24911.6 Case Studies and Real-World Implementations 25111.7 Challenges and Future Trends 25311.8 Conclusion 256List of Abbreviations 256References 25712 Enhancing Strategies for Rising Public Awareness and Acceptance of Solar Energy: A Socio-Behavioral Approach 259K.J. Vinodini and Sandhiya Karunakaran12.1 Introduction 25912.2 Significance and Need for the Study 26012.3 Review of Literature 26012.4 Research Gap 26412.5 Objectives 26412.6 Methodology 26512.7 Data Analysis 26512.8 Findings 26712.9 Recommendations 26812.10 Conclusion 269List of Abbreviations 269References 26913 Leveraging Solar Energy in Corporate Social Responsibility as a Strategic Catalyst for Achieving Sustainability Goals 273Kiruthiga Velmurugan13.1 Introduction 27313.2 Literature Review 27513.3 Methodology 27613.4 Conceptual Framework 27713.5 Findings 27813.6 Discussion 28013.7 Conclusion 282List of Abbreviations 283References 28314 Smart Integration and Urban Solar Solutions for Sustainable Living in Smart Cities 285A. Ashwini, G. Santhiya, and D. Menaka14.1 Introduction to Smart Cities and Sustainable Living 28514.2 Overview of Urban Solar Technologies 28614.3 Synergy Between AI and IoT in Power Systems 28814.4 Real-Time Data Analytics for Energy Optimization 29014.5 Community Solar Projects 29114.6 Urban Planning and Architectural Integration 29214.7 Policy and Regulatory Frameworks 29414.8 Financial and Economic Considerations 29514.9 Environmental and Social Impacts 29614.10 AI and Machine Learning in Solar Energy Management 29714.11 Innovations from Developing Countries 29914.12 Conclusion 300References 30015 Unlocking Solar Power: Rural Electrification with Special Reference to Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana – Saubhagya for Sustainable Development 305Sarulatha Neelakandan and V. Sasirekha15.1 Introduction 30515.2 Bridging the Gap – Renewable Energy Sources 30615.3 About “Saubhagya” Scheme 30715.4 Business Models in Rural Solar Electrification 30815.5 Technological and Financial Innovations in Rural Electrification: Catalysts for Sustainable Energy Access 31115.6 Financial Systems 31215.7 Distribution and Maintenance Frameworks in Isolated Regions 31315.8 Impact on Sustainable Development Goals 31315.9 Challenges and Opportunities 31415.10 Recommendations 31515.11 Conclusion 316References 31716 Principles of Solar Power: Photovoltaics and Beyond 319Somdatta Paul, Anindita Das, Soham Lodh, and Sunipa Roy16.1 Introduction to Solar Energy 31916.2 Photovoltaic Technology: Fundamentals and Advances 32116.3 Solar Thermal Systems 32716.4 Emerging Solar Technologies and Future Outlook 32916.5 Conclusion 334List of Abbreviations 334References 33417 Environmental Impact of Solar Power Systems 339Sudarshana Banerjee, Surya Pratap Singh, Diwesh Kumar, and Shailesh Kumar Sharangi17.1 Introduction 33917.2 Carbon Footprint of Solar PV Systems 34117.3 Resource Consumption in Solar PV Manufacturing 34517.4 Challenges in Solar Panel Recycling 34717.5 Environmental Impacts of Solar Deployment 34817.6 Incorporation of AI for Environmental Monitoring and Optimization 35117.7 Circular Economy in the Solar PV Sector 35217.8 Future Research and Sustainability Prospects 35317.9 Conclusion 353List of Abbreviations 354References 35418 Life Cycle Management and System Upgrades 359Sunitha Sampathi, Nishita Burade, Gayatri Sharma, and Sujatha Dodoala18.1 Overview 35918.2 HESS for Lifecycle Stability 36118.3 Assessing Suns-Vmp Ineffectiveness 36418.4 Predictive Maintenance and Smart Diagnosis 36718.5 Cybersecurity Challenges and Strategies 37118.6 Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment 37418.7 Conclusion 375List of Abbreviations 376References 37619 Remote and Rural Area Solar-Powered Systems 385Pooja Dehankar, Kashvi Chaturvedi, and Susanta Das19.1 Introduction 38519.2 Design, Deployment, and Effects of Solar-Powered Systems in Rural and Distant Locations 38719.3 Photovoltaic (PV) Technology 39019.4 Crucial Factors for Long-Term Sustainability 39019.5 Benefits of Solar Power in Remote Areas 39219.6 Challenges and Considerations 39219.7 Future Directions 39319.8 Conclusion 393References 39420 Material-Driven Performance in Cutting-Edge Solar Panels: A Quantitative Comparison of Efficiency and Power Yield 399Princy Tyagi, Suman Pant, Shivani Pant, and Anshita Garg20.1 Introduction 39920.2 Results and the Performance of Solar Power Group Components 40020.3 New Emerging Technologies 40620.4 Conclusion 411Acknowledgments 412List of Abbreviations 412References 41221 Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy Sources: A Brief Overview and Bibliometric Analysis 415Kashvi Chaturvedi, Krutika Patre, Sunil Sankathala, Aditya Shrivastav, and Susanta Das21.1 Introduction 41521.2 Literature Review 41621.3 Bibliometric Analysis 42221.4 Conclusion 434References 43522 The Future of Solar Power: Innovations, Emerging Technologies, and Sustainable Integration 437Achakkagari Shashidhar, S. Alekhya, and Parvez Ahmad22.1 Introduction 43722.2 Current State of Solar Power Technology 43822.3 Innovations in Solar Cell Technology: Next-Generation Emerging Materials 44022.4 Design and Infrastructure Advancements in Solar Photovoltaics 44222.5 Energy Storage and Smart Integration 44422.6 Sustainable Manufacturing and End-of-Life Solutions in Solar Technology 44622.7 Solar Energy and SDGs 44822.8 Implications for Policy and Global Development 44822.9 Conclusion and Future Outlook 449List of Abbreviations 449References 450Index 453