Investigation: Solar Tracking
Passive Solar Tracking is an exploration of using thermally active materials to actuate a sun-tracking surface. Orienting a surface perpendicular to the sun throughout the day has potential benefits for both solar energy generation and daylight management. In this project, several prototypes were constructed that use a combination of thermally active plastics to rotate a surface to face the sun throughout the day.
April 22, 2025 | Posted by Adam Heisserer
BENEFITS OF PASSIVE SOLAR TRACKING
The US electrical grid is an aging system that is becoming difficult to maintain. A transition to on-site solar power would make the grid far more resilient, efficient, and less vulnerable to outages. Solar power is becoming less expensive and more efficient every year. By rotating a photovoltaic panel to track the sun perfectly throughout the day, it can increase the total power generation by 25 to 33%.
BIMETAL PROTOTYPE I
The first prototypes were built with thermally active bimetal that bends when exposed to direct sunlight. The bimetal is composed of two layers of metal that expand at different rates when heated. Fixed to a 3D printed joint, the metal fins remain unbent and parallel at room temperature, and curl into a more horizontal position when heated. On a south-facing facade, this allows for more solar heat gain from low-angle morning or winter sun when temperatures are typically colder, while preventing solar heat gain from high-angle mid-day or summer sun when temperatures are typically warmer. The fins bend on the axis perpendicular to the glass to maintain exterior views. This avoids the drawback of other bimetal shutter systems in which views are sacrificed when the system is active.