Solar energy is free and there is an endless supply.

Although only a fraction of the energy from the sun actually hits Earth, even that small amount is enough to provide power for us all. This clean source of energy is a good supplement to conventional and non-renewable sources of energy such as coal, oil and natural gas.

Passive Solar Technologies

Passive solar technologies make use of the sun’s rays as they hit Earth. They do not rely on mechanical or electrical devices.

Examples of passive solar energy include:

• Using the light from the sun to light rooms during the day.
• Designing a building so that the walls and windows, as well as the landscaping, make use of the sun’s    rays for heating on winter days and help keep the rooms cool during the summer.

Active Solar Technologies

Active solar technologies use equipment such as pumps or fans to transfer the sun’s energy to where it is needed.

Active solar systems include:

• Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems which convert sunlight directly into electricity and is used to power a range of things from highway signs and parking meters to microwaves and calculators.
• Solar thermal energy systems which convert sunlight into energy in the form of heat to warm water or the air (you can also use solar thermal energy to cool rooms)