Active And Passive Solar Energy

Active solar energy systems use the same principles as passive systems except that they use a fluid such as water to absorb the heat.

Active and passive solar energy.

Solar energy system are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending on the way they capture convert and distribute solar energy. Passive solar systems operate without reliance on external devices. Passive solar energy systems include orienting a building to the sun. Thermal solar panels which are used to pre heat water for use in the home thereby lowering energy bills can also be a form of passive solar depending on the set up.

Passive solar energy on the other hand is typically cheaper than active solar energy. A solar collector is a device used. You may also have the potential of overheating a building if you re located in a warm climate because you can t regulate the temperature as well. Remember passive solar simply means that the sun s heat or light isn t processed into something else.

Passive energy systems use the sun s energy for heating and cooling 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. They use passive collectors to convert rays into the sunlight. Active solar energy systems include the use of photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors to harness the energy.

In contrast to active solar systems passive systems operate without the reliance on external devices. Unfortunately passive solar energy relies more on the weather. Passive solar systems include these features. 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.

If the solar system cannot provide adequate space heating an auxiliary or back up system provides the additional heat. Passive solar energy does not require mechanical equipment and electronic devices to gather and distribute 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. It also does not need power coming from an external conventional source.

Active solar systems rely on pumps sophisticated electronic devices and motors to effectively collect and systematically provide solar energy.