Alternative Energy Sourcebook 1991 Published by Real Goods Trading Company Reviewed by Richard Perez This year's Real Goods Sourcebook is a bonanza of information and products. Within the sourcebook's 400 pages, I found realistic and useful information about renewable energy and efficient power use. Articles make up over half this book, and the rest is product advertising. This format is very effective. It provides the information required to make energy related decisions, and then gives access to the actual products. The list of contributors reads like a Who's Who of renewable energy. Amory Lovin's foreword is alone worth the price of admission. The articles are specific and deal with the hands-on use of renewable energy and practical energy conservation. What amazes me is the diversity of topics and products covered in this sourcebook. Here's a list of the major items: 1. Systems Planning- An Overview 2. Power Generating Devices & Whole Systems 3. Power Storage and Management 4. Alternative Power Loads 5. Conservation and Purification 6. Tools and Appliances 7. Education and Consumer Products 8. Electric Vehicles 9. Appendix -NEC part 690 & Glossary Of particular informational note: This sourcebook is filled with need-to-know stuff. Included are a copy of Part 690 of the NEC dealing with low voltage systems, and a thorough coverage of efficient lighting & refrigeration. Articles on system design are accurate and read simply for the absolute novice. Water pumping is covered, as are more esoteric RE applications like water purification, and heating. The Products While the 1991 Alternative Energy Sourcebook contains lots of information, it is also a mail-order catalog that will sell you the devices you read about. I found a very large selection of efficient and appropriate products. Everything from PV panels to water heaters to books. The products are fairly and accurately described. Let's face it, no product is absolutely perfect. The Real Goods staff have reviewed each product, and are honest about any warts. Virtually every product that may find use in a home power system, or in an efficient grid connected system, is in this catalog. Conclusions Real Goods' 1991 Sourcebook belongs on every RE bookshelf. If you are just beginning, you will appreciate the informative articles. If you're already making your own power, then you'll like the specific product information. The environment appreciates that the sourcebook is printed on recycled paper! Access Reviewer- Richard Perez, C/O Home Power, POB 130, Hornbrook, CA 96044 ù 916-475- 3179. Sourcebook: Real Goods Trading Company, 966 Mazzoni Street, Ukiah, CA 95482 ù 800-762-7325. The 1991 Sourcebook has a cover price of $14, but Home Power readers can get it for $10 (which is refunded on your first $100 order). XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Alternative Transportation News (ATN) Published by Earthmind Reviewed by Richard Perez It's out! Michael Hackleman's new magazine about transportation has become a reality with this March's issue. Alternative transportation has long needed its own magazine. Covered in this issue of ATN is everything from electric vehicles to airships to bicycles. If it moves and doesn't guzzle gas, then it's in here. Specific topics in ATN's premier issue are: EV racing, Alcohol Fuels, Reports on commercially made EVs, Airships, Batteries, Bicycling, and Human Powered Flight. Also included is advertising from the folks whose products make it really happen. I especially liked the article by Michael Hackleman on lighter-than-air craft. It is well written and full of technical data regarding airships. I also liked the article about the conversion of a Porsche to electric power. And the article about Clyde Beasley's Slingshot electric racer. This magazine is full of swell info about getting down the road without killing our planet. ATN is bi-monthly and is in a black & white, 8.5" by 11" format. The premier issue is 36 pages including cover. I salute Michael Hackleman and the folks at Earthmind for putting together a much needed publication. They've got my attention and I recommend their work to you. Access Reviewer- Richard Perez, C/O Home Power, POB 130, Hornbrook, CA 96044 ù 916-475- 3179. Alternative Transportation News: Earthmind, POB 743, Mariposa, CA 95338 ù 213-396- 1527. Cover price of ATN is $3.50 and a one year's subscription costs $12.