Friday 17 June 2011

Teenager's simple invention makes solar panels 40% more efficient


A 19 year old student has invented a simple and inexpensive solution which could have a huge impact on solar energy writes the Vancouver Sun.

The design increases the efficiency of solar panels by 40% purely by keeping the panels perpendicular to the sun's rays.

The device designed by Eden Full is driven by simple bi-metallic strips which expand during the day and contract when it's cooler.

No motor means less moving parts and vastly cheaper to produce.

The student has already tested her design out in a remote African village and still receives valuable feedback from villagers via a camera she bought and left with them on her visit last year.

Eden has just won a $10,000 award as well as receiving a Fellowship which should net her $100,000 in funding and mentorship.

So look out because one day, you could find a little piece of Eden on your solar panels.

photo credit: stig nygaard

1 comment:

  1. We have some of these new Solar panels that eden has made. Were using them in the fields to generate electricity for the cattles water pumps

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