Solar Heating
What is Active Solar Heating?
When external mechanical or electrical systems are used to transport the solar medium (which is liquid or air) from the solar collector into the storage tanks or the building, it is termed “active” solar heating. This type of technology is used to convert solar energy into heat, solar lighting or for causing air movement for cooling or for ventilation. The heat can also be stored and used in future. The usage of external mechanical equipment helps in increasing the amount of “usable” heat within the system.
There are many kinds of active solar systems that are being used practically, like the solar hot water systems. They make use of fans or pumps to circulate the heated water, air or antifreeze mixture through the solar panels or collectors. The solar panels can be either a flat plate of various concentrating designs or it can be ‘non-concentrating’. The panels however, remain fixed to trap the heat or light from the sun throughout the course of the day.
