Final answer:
Active solar energy features such as rooftop collectors and heat storage contribute to its efficiency and sustainability. Strategic window placement and convection also enhance its performance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Active solar energy features several characteristics that help it become more efficient and sustainable in design. One such feature is the use of rooftop collectors to gather solar energy. These collectors transfer heat to salts, which can store the heat for later use, making it a more efficient and reliable source of energy. Additionally, active solar energy systems can incorporate strategic window placement and convection to optimize the utilization of solar radiation, further enhancing its efficiency.
Moreover, the strategic placement of windows to maximize solar radiation gain helps in heating buildings naturally during cooler periods. This is coupled with the use of open spaces designed to promote convection, which can facilitate natural cooling when temperatures rise. Solar cookers, like those pioneered by Telkes, rely on the greenhouse effect and reflective materials to efficiently capture and retain solar energy for cooking purposes, proving valuable in energy-poor regions.