ABSTRACT
Solar add-ons can be incorporated into nearly any home during construction or, with some planning, after construction. These systems are defined as ‘active' indirect solar systems, because they rely on mechanical means to transfer heat (pumps or fans) or store energy (inverters and batteries). Typically, there are two main categories: solar thermal (to heat water or air) and photovoltaic (to make electricity). This section will introduce several different types of systems, how they work and what they can contribute to your energy requirements.
