Active solar power is a type of passive solar energy that is harvested from the sun’s rays. These systems can be built for a home or business on a budget. However, many homeowners do not realize that passive systems can be used to reduce their energy costs. An example of active solar energy is what is known as photovoltaic power, also known as PV power.
The Use Of Passive Solar Battery
In most homes in North America, passive solar energy is used for most of the heating and cooling needs. During the summer months, a hot air furnace draws heat from the inside of the home and brings it outside. Heating and cooling systems powered by heat pumps take advantage of cold air coming in through doors and windows and send it through ducts into the house. For this reason, passive solar energy is typically only used during the summer months.
The Use Of Active Solar Battery
Active solar technologies are used more frequently for heating and cooling. Photovoltaic technology uses light energy from the sun to convert into electric energy, which can then be used to heat water and generate electricity for household use. Thermal conductivity, insulation thickness, and airflow are some of the components of photovoltaic heat transfer. A passive house is designed concerning the way that passive solar technologies work, and the proportions of sunlight and heat penetration are considered.
Passive Solar Technologies Examples
There are many examples of passive solar technologies, all of which contribute to the heating and cooling of a property. Windows are installed to allow the sun to shine in and to keep cold and warm air inside the house. Slatted glass is used on the front of windows to trap heat generated daily and to let the sun in. Sliding windows are designed so that they can open completely and the heated air can be released into the living spaces.
Slatted glass has its advantages. The slats do not get in the way and heat is allowed to enter. Slatted glass also makes it easy to keep the sun out during the winter, although there are ventilators to reduce solar radiation. Thermal mass is also created by wood framing and brick walls. Thermal mass is what keeps things warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The heat generated by the sun heats the thermal mass and passes it to air circulating the house and is circulated throughout the structure.
Designing a Passive Solar Energy Heating System
Thermal conductivity, insulation thickness, and air movement are all important in designing a passive solar energy heating system. The amount of heat generated is based on some factors, including the orientation and size of the panels. The thermal mass of a structure is also considered, including the amount of dead or live space, and any existing insulation.
A passive solar energy system consists of panels located on the south-facing sides of the house. They receive the sun during the hours of peak sunlight. Then they are either moved or rotated depending on the heat generated and any ventilation required. This means that the arrangement can vary from one home to the next, depending on available sunlight.
A passive solar energy heating system consists of a variety of materials. Some are fashioned after skylights to take advantage of direct sunlight. Other examples include PVC pipes and polyethylene sheeting. When the rays of the sun hit these materials, they absorb the energy and emit heat that can warm up an entire room. There are even attic lintaps made of wood that act as solar collectors and heat cold air before it reaches the air conditioning systems in a home. While this type of technology has not been around too long, it is a great example of how passive solar energy can be used in ways other than powering homes.
