This volume on “Renewable Energy Technologies” has a special focus on distributed power generation (DPG) to highlight the easy applicability of the alternative energy technology, particularly for rural sector in India. In times of rising oil prices and focus on clean technologies, the renewable technologies have an important role to play in future and the book relates the technology to Indian conditions and for ready usability independent of power supply grids and their associated problems.

Professor Amitav Mallik has been a research scientist since 1966 in various defence R&D laboratories in India. His pioneering work in the field of Lasers has been instrumental in development of India’s high power Lasers. Prof. Mallik received the Padmashri award in 2002 for his invaluable contributions. He has also served as Member, National Security Advisory Board (NSAB). He was with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), New Delhi, as Adviser, Science and Technology.

Dr. Nitant Mate was a consultant with IT Power India and is now working with Kirloskar Company as adviser/consultant in the renewable energy field.

Devayani Bhave is a M.Sc. (Chemistry) from Kings College, London. She worked with ORF as Research Assistant and is presently at the University of Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, working for her PhD.