solar heating (active)
A building heating system supplied by electricity generated from solar radiation by photovoltaic panels on the site.
An active solar heating system uses photovoltaic panels to convert solar radiation into electricity that supplies heating for the building interior. It is distinguished from passive solar heating, which uses no special panels but simply absorbs and retains sufficient solar radiation through its windows.
The photovoltaic panels supply electrical energy for heating. The panels therefore participate in the heating system rather than the building relying only on sunlight admitted through windows.
The photovoltaic supply must serve interior heating. Solar panels used only for other electrical loads do not establish this heating type.