Passive And Active Solar Energy

How passive solar energy works.

Passive and active solar energy.

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. They use passive collectors to convert rays into the sunlight. This can also include electronic controls and other systems commonly found on active solar technologies. Active thermal solar uses pumps antifreeze and a heat exchanger and is generally a lot more complicated.

If the solar system cannot provide adequate space heating an auxiliary or back up system provides the additional heat. So how exactly does each system function and what does it mean for you. Passive solar energy does not require mechanical equipment and electronic devices to gather and distribute solar energy. 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.

Passive solar systems operate without reliance on external devices. Passive thermal solar just uses water and sunlight. Active solar energy systems use the same principles as passive systems except that they use a fluid such as water to absorb the heat. It also does not need power coming from an external conventional source.

Essentially a passive system uses few or no moving parts. Passive solar systems passive solar panels depend heavily on the design construction and building of your home. Active thermal solar isn t limited to small rooftop systems. A solar collector is a device used.

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. Active solar systems rely on pumps sophisticated electronic devices and motors to effectively collect and systematically provide solar energy. It is different from active solar energy in that passive solar doesn t involve the use of any mechanical or moving parts. Well this term refers to the direct use of solar energy for heating purposes.

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. If you were to pump that water through your walls to heat your home that would be active solar heating. If you use the sun s heat to warm a water tank that would be passive solar.