Types of Solar HWS: Active or passive systems
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Solar water heating systems (SWHS) can be either active or passive. An active system uses an electric pump to circulate the fluid through the collector. A passive system has no pump and relies on thermosiphoning to circulate water. What's the detailed difference and what's better?
Active Systems
Active systems use pumps, valves, and controllers (electric) to circulate water or heat-transfer fluids through the solar collector panels. They are generally more expensive than passive systems but also usually more efficient. Active systems are often easier to retrofit than passive systems because their storage tanks don't need to be installed above or close to the collectors.
Passive Systems
Passive systems move fluids through the system without using pumps. An advantage of passive systems is that electricity outage and electric pump breakdown are not issues. This makes passive systems generally more reliable, easier to maintain, and possibly longer lasting than active systems. Passive systems are often less expensive than active systems, but are also generally less efficient due to slower water flow rates through the system.
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