Passive And Active Solar Energy

If you use the sun s heat to warm a water tank that would be passive solar.

Passive and active solar energy.

How passive solar energy works. Well this term refers to the direct use of solar energy for heating purposes. This can also include electronic controls and other systems commonly found on active solar technologies. Active solar heating systems use solar energy to heat a fluid either liquid or air and then transfer the solar heat directly to the interior space or to a storage system for later use.

Passive energy systems use the sun s energy for heating and cooling purposes. If the solar system cannot provide adequate space heating an auxiliary or back up system provides the additional heat. Active thermal solar isn t limited to small rooftop systems. A solar collector positioned on the roofs of buildings heats the fluid and then pumps it through a system of pipes to heat the whole building.

They can be huge large scale monstrosities that create electricity as well. Passive solar energy does not require mechanical equipment and electronic devices to gather and distribute solar energy. Passive solar systems operate without reliance on external devices. If you were to pump that water through your walls to heat your home that would be active solar heating.

It also does not need power coming from an external conventional source. Passive thermal solar just uses water and sunlight. Unlike passive solar heating active solar heating uses mechanical and electrical equipment to enhance the conversion of solar energy to heat and electric power. Essentially a passive system uses few or no moving parts.

A solar collector is a device used. A passive solar system does not involve mechanical devices or the use of conventional energy sources beyond that needed to regulate dampers and other controls if any. So how exactly does each system function and what does it mean for you. Active solar energy systems use the same principles as passive systems except that they use a fluid such as water to absorb the heat.

Passive solar systems passive solar panels depend heavily on the design construction and building of your home. It is different from active solar energy in that passive solar doesn t involve the use of any mechanical or moving parts. Both active and passive solar energy systems can convert the sun s rays into direct electricity but their mechanisms are a bit different from each other so it s useful to know the facts before you decide which kind to go with.