World's simplest sun tracker.

This 3d printed solar tracker does not need a computer, software, motor drivers, internet, programming etc. It only needs two solar panels, a DC electric motor, and the sun. In this video I will show you how to make one, and how it works.

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[fahadalbazei]

That's brilliant! OK how about adding another axis so it can track not only the hour angle but also the tilt angle? World's simplest sun tracker V2.0

[StephenGillie]

"Anyone can make the simple complicated. Making the complicated simple, man, that's creativity." - Charles Mingus

[darvinde]

My thoughts:
- Use a motor with even lower RPMs
- Place them more parralel, so it does not run much current when in perfect position to sun
- Add some kind of diodes to prevent backfeeding into the panels

[АлександрК-ыдщ]

The Illuminated panel will pass the energy trough the shadowed one heating it. You need add diodes to direct the current only to the motor.

[JoelCreates]

Stuff like this makes me feel like a kid again

[mctunez]

The oscillating device is a great example of a underdamped control system. The final device is a great example of a overdamped control system. The engineering magic is to create a system that operates on the fine line between the two. Great Video!

[tomatoso]

2:20 that's actually the simplest WALKING solar robot. Somebody should explore that

SUN WALKERS

[professormawillett]

I’ve known about this technique (solar tracking) since college. This is indeed simple and with a few minor additions or modifications, it could control larger solar panels or anything that needs to move relative to the sun. As constructed it is a great example of an analog controller. With a digital flair and a PID controller, this device could be scaled up considerably with no “hunting”. Many digital design books explaining how and it is only a tiny bit more complex.

[martinvizar]

Briliant idea thank You..

Adding diodes to avoid reverse flow of energy, whould make the idea solid against criticis..

[dognoseranger]

I made something like this with a couple photo resistors and a physical divider between them. The challenge was getting the whole thing back at the end of the day. Created a "dark sensor", when it go dark enough it turned motor on until whole assembly rotated back and ran into a cut-off switch.

[jaredkennedy]

Back when Discovery channel was doing useful shows, they had one called The Colony. The first group built a simple solar tracker using a photocell that was recessed into a tube. When the photo cell didn't see the sun, the motor was activated, moving it and the whole solar array. Once light hit it, it would stop. It's just one of the things I have filed away in case society collapses

[saksham]

If I am not wrong you are shorting two sources (solar panels) which is not good as there might be a circulating current which may damage the panels.

[s-umit]

Making a complex thing simple is the most complex thing!

[Kevin-jcfx]

Wow, that's brilliant. I can see it working well with solar cooking dishes as they usually require to frequently turn them manually towards the sun.

[顔boom]

0:14 realized exactly how it'd work yet I'm certain I would've never thought of it myself. Creativity is almost magical like that.
Elegant simplicity which also is a good lesson to keep it simple and that sometimes you just have to slow down!

[ElectricFuture]

Very elegant and clever solution. Might try and build one of these

[m]

Genius! Been creating electronic circuits for over 4 decades now and this has got to be the simplest, most genius idea in relation to free solar energy projects and electronic circuits in general. Very impressed.

[Sgtbattleman]

i did this project 6 years ago for a science fair... very cool
although have you considered putting a main panel in the middle so that when you
are properly oriented you generate the most power possible

[B]

genius... thank you for sharing this video.
the only downside is that this guarantees that the solar panel are not most efficient due to angle, but this is still amazing and very useful.

[AugustoDeNardin]

Cool. Some ideas for alterations:
· Make both contiguous (same plane) and use a separator perpendicular. So the cast shadow in one make the system spin. So they align for maximum generation (but they do lose usable angle amplitude).
· Join the black wires together, but no contact to the motor. Each red wire to some side of the motor. Only the difference in generation will be used in the motor. This maybe require the motor to work with smaller tensions, but you will be able to do useful stuff with the energy generated.
· Get 4 solar panels, and you can wire them crossed and make like an wheatstone bridge. Each pair will have approximately the same voltage, so you can use the full energy harvested. But when, and only when, there's a difference in illumination, the motor will act.

If you don't understand some detail, please ask and I'll explain. I'd love to see this in action.