Student Solar Tracker Increases Output by 20 Percent
The low-cost, gravity-powered device uses simple components to tilt panels for better sun alignment.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Energy
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Worcester Academy student Jason Chang has developed a functional solar tracker using simple, low-cost materials for just $25. The experimental device, which relies on gravity and water flow, currently produces 20% more voltage than a fixed solar panel.
Why it matters
The project demonstrates a cost-effective alternative to commercial trackers, which typically cost between $500 and $1,000 per panel. Chang aims to increase energy efficiency without using additional electrical power for mechanical movement.
The tracker uses a gravity-based mechanism where water drips from containers on a rocking frame into a bucket to tilt the panel. The device achieves a 20% gain in voltage output versus fixed panels, though it currently relies on manual intervention to initiate flow.
The players
Jason Chang
A 13-year-old student at Worcester Academy and one of 55 named National STEM Champions.
Worcester Academy
A private school in Massachusetts where the research was conducted.
The details
The device utilizes recycled, low-cost components to create a frame that tilts based on the weight of water. By pulling a plug, the user initiates flow between containers, causing the panel to shift its orientation toward the sun. This design seeks to mirror the efficiency gains of professional trackers, which offer 25% to 35% production increases for single-axis units or 40% for dual-axis units, at a fraction of their $500 to $1,000 price point.
Timeline
September 30, 2026: California legalized plug-in solar.
January 1, 2027: California plug-in solar law goes into effect.
The Tech Race
The device competes with commercial solar tracking solutions that typically cost $500 to $1,000 per panel. It aims to bridge the efficiency gap between fixed panels and professional single-axis trackers that provide 25% to 35% higher production.
The current $25 prototype is an experimental design and not yet available for commercial use. Future iterations may eventually offer a low-cost tracking option for small-scale installations, potentially supplementing the plug-in solar kits that start at $285.
The takeaway
This project highlights a novel, low-cost approach to improving solar panel efficiency using basic physics. Watch for future research from Chang on a climate-resistant version of the device intended to overcome the current evaporation and freezing constraints.
What happens next
Jason Chang is currently developing an upgraded version of the tracker designed for year-round operation to address existing failures in extreme weather.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Energy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by BGR.
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