JerryBaumchen 1,468 #1 November 21, 2011 Hi out there, Maybe there is some hope: http://whatsnext.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/18/meet-a-13-year-old-solar-panel-developer/?hpt=hp_bn6 This 13-year-old from Long Island, New York, was a presenter at the recent PopTech conference, where he spoke with CNN. He says his method for arranging solar panels - based on the mathematics of tree branches - is 20 to 50% more efficient than traditional solar arrays, especially in low-light conditions, such as cloudy days in the winter or in places where there are lots of trees and tall buildings. "My design is like a tree," he said, "but instead of having leaves it has solar panels at the ends (of the branches)." JerryBaumchen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #2 November 22, 2011 I hope he gets an "A".Some of our best designs follow principles that can be observed in nature. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shah269 0 #3 November 22, 2011 Smart kid!Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay. The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spikes2020 0 #4 November 22, 2011 still sun tracking panels would be much more affective. This if you only set a panel down flat.... Solar cells generate a lot more power if pointed strait at the sun.... But yes an interesting way to explain how trees do photosynthesis.Cheers Jon W Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piisfish 140 #5 November 22, 2011 QuoteHi out there, Maybe there is some hope:http://www.ted.com/talks/justin_hall_tipping_freeing_energy_from_the_grid.html THIS is the future... or part of itscissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
