Introduction

Abstract

Coachella Valley is introduced as an area of southern California with extensive renewable energy resources both in the Valley and in the surrounding areas to the north and west. It is chosen as the focus region for the book due to its energy resources and a community that is encouraging innovation in starting up renewable manufacturing and operations. The history of the Coachella Valley includes arrival of the railroad in the late nineteenth century, spurring over a century of population and economic growth; expansion of dry-climate agriculture; and renown for tourism. The Valley’s current social, transportation, economic, and business growth is described. The principles of renewable energy are introduced, especially for solar energy, wind energy and geo-heat. The book objectives include to gain understanding of the extent of and potential for renewables in the Valley, to analyze emerging renewables entrepreneurship and innovation, and to synthesize the Valley’s problems and prospects for renewable development. The book also includes conceptual models, the detailed urban profile of the Valley, and benchmark comparisons of the Valley with wind energy in Texas and solar energy in Maryland.