Solar energy is the technology that harnesses energy from the sun and makes it useable. Though costly to implement, solar energy offers a clean, renewable source of power. Most conventional solar farms however, have fixed solar panels that are inefficient at capturing energy as the sun moves across the sky. They also require large land areas, which poses another problem for small countries such as Malaysia.
The Solution:
Inspired by findings that solar energy comprises less than 0.3% of the 2016 electricity generation mix in Malaysia, a group of Mechanical Engineering students from Universiti Teknologi Nasional (UNITEN) decided to make a difference through SENSLAR. It is a floating platform system that can smartly move according to the sun’s position. This device also offers over a 40% improvement in energy harvesting and works effectively on water-filled areas like an unutilised lake. Installing the system on waternot only overcomes the issue of limited space, but the water also plays the role of acooling agent for the solar PV – reducing maintenance costs incurred by conventional PV systems.
Izwan, team leader, said,
“We started the project with a brainstorming session on new conceptual designs followed by the first prototype - a single small floating solar platform unit (5 cm x 5 cm), which could only rotate 360 degrees. The first prototype wasn’t a great success, as we faced problems due to a lack expertise and resources. We then recruited new members into the team and started improving our design by adding fresh ideas to the original prototype. Testing the efficiency of the improved and automated design (using 8 Watt solar cells) later displayed the concept’s ability to harvest roughly 60% to 80% more energy than a static module”.
Rizal Esha, Design Manager from the Dyson Malaysia Development Centre and fellow James Dyson Award competition judge this year, said
“this project is a stepping stone for Malaysia to inspire a young generation of problem solving related to renewable energy. I hope to also see this project delivered in small portable packages, as they pose benefits for those living in rural areas or simply as an energy source for people who love the outdoors”.
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