New generation of solar panels consisting of small sunflower imitations

• A new type of PV plants is being developed: solar systems consisting of rows of small man-made sunflowers, which automatically turn their heads toward the sun.

Such man-made sunflowers are called SunBOTs. A flower stem is produced of special light-sensitive material. A flower head consists of normal sunlight absorber the solar panels are usually made of. Such a ‘sunflower’ is less than 1 mm in diameter.

How it works 

Whenever a sunflower’s stem is directed toward sunlight, the heat makes it compressed. As a result, a stem bends and turns flower head to the light source. As soon as the flower top is aimed at the sun, the stem finds itself in the shadow, the light-reactive material gets cooler, so the stem doesn’t bow down anymore.

The SunBOTs have been examined at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). For the sake of experiment, the scientists have made two types of sunflower rows: consisting of bending and unbending stems. The research has shown that SunBOTs with flexible stems have collected about 400% more sun power.

Most researchers who test sensitive and intellectual materials are inspired by the nature. Artificial sunflowers are a good example of the practice rewarding experience.