11.8 Solar Energy

​​​​​11.8 Solar energy

Solar power can be used in buildings to produce hot water and electricity. It can be in the form of thermal solar energy (passive and active) or photovoltaic solar energy. Passive solar heating refers to the way in which buildings are designed to maximise solar gain and minimise heat loss. Active solar energy is where solar panels are used to transform solar energy into heat to provide space and/or water heating. Solar Photovoltaic Systems use daylight to convert solar radiation into electricity, the greater the intensity of light, the greater the flow of electricity.