Passive Solar Tracking
Prototyping Passive Sun-Tracking Systems with Thermally Active Plastics
Passive Solar Tracking is an exploration the challenges and benefits 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. The reliance on inexpensive passive materials rather than a mechanical actuator can reduce complexity and operational energy. 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.
