Sometimes nature provides new ideas for modern dilemmas. Sungate Energy Solutions has learned about how the sunflower has inspired the increase of solar energy produced by a Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant. Two teams were involved in this particular research project. One team was from MIT and the other from Aachen University is Germany.

Sungate Energy Solutions is always interested in new solar research and they learned of a new project that was underway regarding a solar energy plant (CSP). A design was needed using the basic factors which were a large piece of land and a lot of sunlight. The project was named PS10 and was designed like other solar plants with mirrors surrounding a middle tower in a concentric circular pattern. The mirrors were staggered and the results of this configuration lead to unwanted shadows that blocked the light from the tower depending on what time it was. So, the goal of the two teams was then to figure out how to get more efficiency out of the mirrors.

Through some trial and error, they looked into history, mathematics, ancient architecture and nature to see if they could come up with a solution. They found that angling the mirrors like the florets of a sunflower was the solution. The two teams, along with the help from Rockwell International’s mechanical engineers, came up with the best way to reduce the space needed for CSP plants to be more efficient and produce more energy from the sunlight and mirrors. They succeeded in reducing the cost of the solar energy produced using the sunflower as their model and the angle of the florets as their answer. They found a way to decrease space and increase solar energy production.

Sungate Energy Solutions would like to share their knowledge of solar products and systems with you. Expert staff is available to speak with you regarding your solar energy needs.

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