Author(s): Holden Petty, Ruby Stokes
Mentor(s): William Clint Petty
Institution SUU
Sunflower Solar is a novel mechanical system designed to optimize solar panel orientation by mimicking the natural process of heliotropism observed in sunflowers. In nature, sunflowers track the sun’s movement to maximize light absorption through adjustments in turgor pressure within their cells, a mechanism that operates without external energy input. Inspired by this biological strategy, we engineered a passive tracking system that utilizes the principles of differential pressure changes within hydraulic components, analogous to turgor pressure in plant stems. This system allows solar panels to autonomously follow the sun’s arc across the sky without the need for electrical energy, thus improving efficiency and sustainability. Our findings suggest that this biomimetic approach can offer a low-cost, eco-friendly solution for enhancing solar energy capture. Further optimization of the Sunflower Solar mechanism may lead to broad applications in renewable energy systems and contribute significantly to passive solar technologies