What is the difference between active and passive solar energy?
Based on method of usage, solar energy is classified into two categories: active and passive. Active solar refers to solar energy that is directly converted into the form in which it will be used. Active solar energy systems need a solar collector to store energy and pump-connected controls or fans that draw heat from the storage source, as may be required. Active solar is further classified into two categories: solar thermal and solar photovoltaic. Solar thermal refers to usages based on a heating application: heating water and air, cooking and drying, distillation and steam generation are some examples. Technologies based on solar thermal include solar geysers, solar concentrators, solar cookers and solar stills. The second category, solar photovoltaic, is based on the generation of electricity. It uses solar silicon cells to convert solar energy to electrical energy, which can be used directly or through a battery storage system. The term passive solar is used when the architectural
