Through the ages the first step when innovating is to look for inspirations from nature. A natural example that can relate to the solar panel needs are sunflowers. The reason being is their dense top heavy head is similar to the panel and their ability to follow the path of the sun during the day like tracking motors. Organic tracking of the sun is called heliotropism and is known for increasing the plant's rate of photosynthesis.
In solar panel terms this ability increases the collectors output, where mechanical trackers have been said to increase by 15-20%. Pursuing the study of the sunflowers may lead to creating a more organic approach to following the rays of the sun.
Further research has shown the sunflower has a flexible area in the stem which acts like a joint called the pulvinus. This is located just below the head of the sunflower and is filled with motor cells that react to change of turgor (water) pressure and alter the angle of the head.
Today we have found this view has been previously taken by a young group of student engineers from MIT, who also have taken inspiration from the sunflower and have created a system that reacts to the light and alters the position of the solar panel in a way that does not need an external power source or mechanical motor. Learning from their achievement and their use of metals ability to warp under sunlight, further research is now directed towards smart materials that react to their stimulus in their environment and also further lessons on understanding the mechanism controlling the turgor pressure in the pulvinus to see if any potential designs can be created.
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