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Let me start by detailing my solar experience. Solar windchimes, silar yard ornaments, and reading about solar energy since the mid 70's. I expect to get seriously flamed for this question but I'm a big boy and I can handle it. My idea is to have a 4 or 5 foot diameter by 4 foot tall cylinder with flexible panels that rotates 1 to 5 revolutions per minute. I believe that the power could be transferred using large carbon brushes. My reasoning is that it would follow the sun and since the panels are not constantly exposed to the sun they would be cooler to marginally increase efficiency. There you have it . Take your best shots.
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Short answer:
Your reasoning is not based on knowledge.
The way the game is run at this time, what you propose is too complicated (=more $$ and more maintenance/operational problems) and less efficient than what's currently available.
What you propose may have some niche applications but that works out to be analogous to a solution in search of a problem.
A word of tongue-in-cheek caution:
I started somewhat like you did at about the same time as you and although it's been fun and all that, things got a bit out of hand with me over the years.
However, I fancy that my batting average seemed to improve a slight bit with experience, so there's that.
No flame here, but if you learn some of the slightly more technical basics and realities of PV power and the very real limitations of the solar resource more than it seems you have gleaned up to this point, I'd guess you'll probably come to see why things in the world of solar energy applications have evolved in ways different than you have come up with so far.
Respectful suggestions:
1.) Always keep in mind you'll never beat Entropy or even get close.
2.) KISS.
Stay curious and keep thinking.
Sometimes those two things are all you'll have - but they're mutually reinforcing and, with enough persistence rolled in, they'll always be more than enough.
Good Luck.
J.P.M.
Take what you want of the above.
Scrap the rest.
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Well... there is always the Solar flower... that solar panel rig that tracks the sun from first light to sunset.
Rade Radosevich-Slay
Tiverton, RIComment
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