Active solar

Active solar is the use of mechanical systems to use the sunlight or other renewable energy sources for heating or other energy needs. If no mechanical systems are involved, the system relies on architectural elements and is termed passive solar.

Typical active solar systems include:

• Photovoltaic: Generation of electricity directly from the sun
• Solar space heating: Using solar-generated heat for heating buildings
• Solar water heating: Using solar-generated heat for heating water
• Thermodynamic systems: Concentrate the sun for a thermodynamic cycle.

The term is sometimes extended to include other renewable energy systems, such as:

• Wind energy: Using wind currents to generate electricity or do other work
• Hydroelectric: Using the energy of flowing water to generate electricity
• Biomass: Using organic materials directly to burn for heat or to generate biofuels to burn.
• Geothermal: Using the Earth itself to provide heating (or cooling)

Also see:

• Energy
• Renewable energy
• Autonomous building