Active And Passive Solar Energy Systems

In contrast to active solar systems passive systems operate without the reliance on external devices.

Active and passive solar energy systems.

Passive solar energy does not require mechanical equipment and electronic devices to gather and distribute solar energy. Humans can capture solar energy directly from the sun through passive and active solar energy systems ancient people used passive solar energy systems by building their houses out of stone or clay which absorbed the sun s heat during the day and stayed warm after dark providing heat throughout the night. Passive solar energy systems include orienting a building to the sun. Passive solar building design is a combination of energy efficient design features.

They use passive collectors to convert rays into the sunlight. It also does not need power coming from an external conventional source. If the solar system cannot provide adequate space heating an auxiliary or back up system provides the additional heat. Solar energy system are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending on the way they capture convert and distribute solar energy.

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. Rather such as in greenhouses solariums and sunrooms solar energy captures sunbeams through glass windows that absorb and retain heat. Passive energy systems use the sun s energy for heating and cooling purposes. Active solar energy systems include the use of photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors to harness the 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. And correct orientation of the building so that the long dimension of the structure runs as close to east to west as possible. Passive solar systems operate without reliance on external devices. Proper use of daylighting landscaping and thermal mass.