Passive And Active Solar Energy

This can also include electronic controls and other systems commonly found on active solar technologies.

Passive and active solar energy.

Active thermal solar uses pumps antifreeze and a heat exchanger and is generally a lot more complicated. If you use the sun s heat to warm a water tank that would be passive solar. Active solar systems rely on pumps sophisticated electronic devices and motors to effectively collect and systematically provide solar energy. A solar collector is a device used.

Passive thermal solar just uses water and sunlight. 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. They can be huge large scale monstrosities that create electricity as well. If the solar system cannot provide adequate space heating an auxiliary or back up system provides the additional heat.

How passive solar energy works. 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. Active thermal solar isn t limited to small rooftop systems.

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. If you were to pump that water through your walls to heat your home that would be active solar heating. Well this term refers to the direct use of solar energy for heating purposes. Passive solar energy does not require mechanical equipment and electronic devices to gather and distribute solar energy.

So how exactly does each system function and what does it mean for you. Passive energy systems use the sun s energy for heating and cooling purposes. It is different from active solar energy in that passive solar doesn t involve the use of any mechanical or moving parts. Passive solar systems operate without reliance on external devices.

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. It also does not need power coming from an external conventional source. Active solar energy systems use the same principles as passive systems except that they use a fluid such as water to absorb the heat.