What Are The Different Types Of Solar Energy Available To You?

You may be planning to install solar panels in your home so as to power all the electrical devices with solar energy. This would require you to hire professionals to do all the installation. However, before you take this decision it is important that you understand the various types of solar energy available to you. The types of solar energy are categorized on the basis of how the energy is generated and how it is perceived.

Categorization of Solar Energy

• The first type of categorization of solar energy is done on the basis of how sun’s energy is converted into useful form of energy. In this category, solar energy is broken into two types, Passive and Active Solar Energy.

• The second type of categorization is on the basis of the type of energy that solar energy gets transformed into. In this category, solar power gets broken into three types including Solar Thermal, Photovoltaic Solar and Concentrating Solar Energy.

1. Passive Solar Energy

Passive solar energy involves harnessing the energy provided by sunlight without using any type of mechanical device. One example of this form of solar power is the use of south-facing windows for getting lighting and heat into your home. Passive solar energy can be used for many applications in your home including day lighting, passive cooling and passive solar heating.

2. Active Solar Energy

In the case of active solar energy, mechanical devices are used for collecting, storing and distributing solar power in your home. A water heating system is the best example of an active solar energy system. Here, water is circulated through the system using pumps. This form of solar energy can be used for solar space heating, water heating and also for pool heating.

3. Solar Thermal Energy

When solar energy is converted into heat, the resultant energy is known as solar thermal energy. You can use this form of energy for different solar applications in your home. The different applications include solar water heating, space heating, pool heating and thermal cooling.