How one 13-year-old is helping solve a huge solar panel limitation

Thirteen-year-old Jason Chang has designed a low-cost solar tracker that uses water and gravity to turn a panel as the sun moves. His prototype highlights a simple way to address the limits of fixed panels, particularly for small off-grid systems, though it is not yet a proven alternative for home installations.

A small panel sits on a rotating wooden frame, which tips as a bucket fills with dripping water; the mechanism needs no motor, sensor or electricity. Chang spent more than a year refining it, using recycled materials, and the prototype cost under $25. Outdoor tests reportedly produced about 20 per cent more voltage than a stationary panel, but voltage alone does not establish a similar gain in power or total energy. Questions remain about refilling, resetting, wind resistance and freezing, and Chang is working on a winter version.