Germany's goal is to become the world's first industrial power to source all its energy from clean technologies. Author Johnstone, whose articles have been published in Nature and Wired, tells the stories of the innovators and policymakers behind solar technology in Germany and elsewhere. Writing in a narrative conversational style, Johnstone focuses on policy initiatives that drove the solar industry and spurred the deployment of solar energy, such as feed-in tariffs in Germany, and rebates and tax breaks in the US. The book charts the rise of solar power, from its origins in the 1970s to the present, and explains the lessons all countries can learn from Germany's success in cost-effectively harnessing energy from the sun. The book is illustrated with a section of color photos. An appendix offers a non-scientist's guide to how solar cells work. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)