Where Does Active Solar Energy Come From

Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the sun that is harnessed using a range of ever evolving technologies such as solar heating photovoltaics solar thermal energy solar architecture molten salt power plants and artificial photosynthesis.

Where does active solar energy come from.

Solar energy radiation from the sun capable of producing heat causing chemical reactions or generating electricity. It also does not need power coming from an external conventional source. It is an essential source of renewable energy and its technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending. Passive solar technologies do.

Active solar heating systems are most cost effective in cold climates with good solar resources when they are displacing the more expensive heating fuels such as electricity propane and oil. Active solar energy is the conversion of solar energy into usable heat via electrical or mechanical equipment such as pumps and fans which increase the usable heat in the system. The amount of solar radiation or solar energy that the earth receives each day is many times greater than the total amount of all energy that people consume each day however on the earth s surface solar energy is a variable and intermittent energy source. A passive solar home converts solar energy into heat just as a closed car does.

There are different ways of capturing solar radiation and converting it into usable energy. Solar energy is sunshine. Sunshine is radiant energy from the sun. The methods use either active solar energy or passive solar energy.

Sunlight passes through a home s windows and is absorbed in the walls and floors. Passive solar energy does not require mechanical equipment and electronic devices to gather and distribute solar energy. Active solar systems use solar collectors and additional electricity to power pumps or fans to redistribute the sun s energy. Active solar technologies use electrical or mechanical devices to actively convert solar energy into another form of energy most often heat or electricity.

Some of the basic benefits of active systems is that controls usually electrical can be used to maximize their effectiveness. Solar hot water systems use pumps or fans to circulate fluid often a mixture of water and glycol to prevent freezing during winter periods or air through solar collectors and are therefore classified under active solar technology. Active solar systems rely on pumps sophisticated electronic devices and motors to effectively collect and systematically provide solar energy. To control the amount of heat in a passive solar house the doors and windows are closed or opened to keep heated air in or to let it out.