SunSaluter, the solution explained in the video embedded above, is a great way to increase the amount of electricity generated by individual solar panels by using simple materials (like PET water bottles filled with water). Basically, it enables the solar panels to face the direction of the sun without using complicated trackers or electricity.
One good way to increase the efficiency/solar power output of a solar panel system is by rotating the solar modules to always face the sun, as it moves from east to west, throughout the day. Mostly, solar panels are either left at a fixed position and the lower yield is tolerated, or solar trackers are attached to individual solar panels that rotate them to face the sun always.
The issue with solar trackers is - they are expensive, consume some electricity themselves, and they make the system more complicated. Needless to say, maintenance will require trained personnel and replacement parts need to be available locally. In short, even though solar trackers increase the energy output/energy efficiency of solar panels considerably, there are some inhibitors that prevent them to be used in all solar projects. Chief of them being increased capital costs.
But the solution created by SunSaluter, is something to look forward to, especially in developing nations like ours. Look at how SunSaluter works from here. See how simple the whole set-up is: It's basically a water clock that automatically tilts the solar panels, as the flow of water flowing through the plastic bottles is controlled using a valve. In addition to generating more electricity from every solar panel (up to 40%), this system also helps filter impure water and provide good drinking water. It will be an excellent choice for rural areas, that lack either.
But in addition to serving rural areas, urban areas and small solar generation units over houses and companies might also benefit from such a solution. Think about what we have in abundance - low-cost labor! Hence, filling some bottles with water and hanging them in their position everyday doesn't require much labor. In the houses, the home owners themselves can do it and in small solar generation sites, watchmen or anyone else can do it.
The thing is: If 40% additional electricity can be obtained without any (considerable) additional investment, why not take some (little) additional effort? If some University can develop on this system further and make it easier to operate and customize it to our requirements, this solution will be very useful to us. It will be better if the people who invented it can customize the solution to suit the requirements of different countries and bring it on a commercial scale.
