Solar 101

ENERGY FROM THE SUN

Solar energy is the sun’s rays (SOLAR RADIATION) that reaches the earth.

Solar energy can be converted to thermal (or hot) energy and used to heat water-for use in homes, buildings, or swimming pools and heat spaces inside homes, green houses and other buildings.

Solar space heating systems can be classified as Passive/or Active.

Passive
Space heating is what happens to your car on a hot summer day. In buildings, the air is circulated past a solar heat surface(s) and through the building by convection (i.e. less dense warm air tends to rise while more dense cooler air moves downward).
No mechanical equipment is needed for passive solar heating.

Active
Heating systems require a collector to absorb and collect solar radiation. Fans or pumps are used to circulate the heated air or heat absorbing fluid. Active systems often include some type of energy storage system.

SOLAR ENERGY can be converted to electricity in two ways:

Photovoltaic (PV devices) or “solar cells” - change sunlight directly into electricity. PV systems are often used in remote locations that are not connected to the electric grid.