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Solar Tracking & Concentrating Apparatus
 
With the depletion of non-renewable energy sources it is becoming increasingly important to develop effective and affordable alternative energy sources such as solar power.  However, solar energy is still expensive when compared to traditional energy sources.  In order for solar energy to compete, the costs of implementing and maintaining this energy source needs to be reduced.  One promising area for adoption of solar technologies is in third-world countries where there are limited energy networks and resources available.  This project is motivated by seventh goal of the United Nations Millennium Project: to ensure environmental sustainability by “integrating the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs and reverse the loss of environmental resources.”
To meet this goal, a low-cost, robust, solar tracking and concentrating apparatus was developed based around new technologies that allow for increased efficiency when solar energy is concentrated.  The team has designed an array of heliostats to reflect sunlight and concentrate it on a photovoltaic cell.  These heliostats can be deployed on a large-scale to meet the desired energy needs.  The prototype design for the heliostat is comprised of a single flat plate reflector hinge-mounted to enable vertical tilt and secured to an horizontally rotating enclosure.  On the side of the enclosure a capstan provides the torque required to actuate the vertical motion of the reflector. A turntable and worm gear mechanism actuate horizontal rotation of the enclosure that contains the motors and electronic components of the system.  Reflector units are supported and stabilized by tripod bases. The final prototype design includes sophisticated, location-independent control of a scaleable number of units and can be setup by minimally trained persons.
A Columbia University Mechanical Engineering Senior Design Project