Different solar energy systems can be used for heating cooling and ventilation. Solar thermal energy (STE) uses solar energy for heat. In the US heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems account for over 25% of the energy used in commercial buildings and 50% of the energy used in residential buildings, solar technology can be used to power these systems and offset a portion of the energy.

Solar thermal collectors are defined as either low, medium of high temperature collectors. Low temperature collectors are flat plates generally used to heat swimming pools, of the 21,000,000 square feet of solar thermal collectors produced in the United States in 2006, 16,000,000 square feet were low temperature. Medium collectors are also flat but are used for creating hot water for residential and commercial use. Both these collectors can use air or water as the medium to transfer the heat to its destination. High temperature collectors use mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight and are used for electric power production, although they are different to photovoltaics.

Thermal mass materials store solar energy during the day and release this energy during cooler periods. Common thermal mass materials include stone, cement, and water. The proportion and placement of thermal mass is determined by several factors such as climate, day light and shade. When used correctly, thermal mass can maintain comfortable temperatures while reducing energy consumption.
A solar chimney is a hollow thermal mass connecting the interior and exterior of a building, as is gets warmer the air inside is heated and produces an updraft which pulls air through the building. Early examples of these systems were used in Roman architecture and are still common in the Middle East.

A Trombe wall is an air channel between a window and a thermal mass which faces the sun. During the ventilation cycle, sunlight stores heat in the thermal mass and warms the air channel causing circulation through vents at the top and bottom of the wall. During the heating cycle the Trombe wall gives off the stored heat.

Solar roof ponds consists of a water container with a movable insulating cover mounted on the roof. This system controls the exchange of heat between interior and exterior environments by covering and uncovering the container between night and day. Heat is required, the container is uncovered during the day to allow sunlight to warm it and thus storing heat for evening use. When cooling is a concern the covered container draws heat from the building's interior during the day and is uncovered at night to release the heat.

There are many other examples of these systems and they all serve global electricity needs in a dependable, marketable and ultimately environmentally beneficial manner.

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