invented by Greg Watson
The SunBall is a solar power source, primarily designed for domestic rooftops. It refracts the sunís light through a wide lens into a minimal number of solar cells. The circular hemispherical design of the unit also enables the solar concentrator to track the sun whilst providing a passive in-built cooling system. The unit is primarily designed to be a cost-effective choice for households interested in generating their own solar energy.
About the Inventor
Greg Watson is from Athelstone (an outer suburb of Adelaide.)
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Greg's solar goal is to reduce the delivered cost of rooftop generated photovoltaic (PV) kWhs to below that available from the grid. Solar PV then becomes a sensible, financial and logical choice for domestic and commercial electricity users.
Greg's solar strategy is to exceed the cost effectiveness of existing PV flat panels through focused innovations in both the effective collection of solar energy (peak kWs) and the generation of maximum annual electric power (kWhs).
Greg asked the question: ďIs there any technology out there to allow domestic tracking use?Ē
The SunBall provides a solar power source for domestic users. It uses less photovoltaic cells (so makes the unit cheaper) without compromising on its electricity production (due to a concentrating lens). Its automatic tracking capability is enabled by the sphere-like design, which, unlike a flat panel, allows it to rotate on an internal 2 axis system to follow the sunís light, making maximum use of daylight hours.
Basically, the Sunball is an invention which uses existing technology in an innovative design, intended for particular benefits.
The SunBall is basically made up of 4 main parts: the solar concentrator; the microprocessor, the tracking system, and the passive heat control system. Most of the functions (eg. heat controls, mounting structure, bearing surface, environmental seal, wind loading reduction) are encapsulated within the hemisphere shape rather than sitting external to the panels, and so savings are incurred.
>Can be coloured to match roof colour
>Easily installed by one man on all domestic and commercial roof types.
>No need to be installed on street facing roof (if north facing).
>Lower cost per Wp than flat panels
>Higher annual kWh output than flat panels
>Hemispherical shape significantly reduces wind loading versus flat panels.
>Each rooftop SunBall weighs approx 20kg per 330Watt output for each 1m squared SunBall.
>Takes 20 solar cells.
>Measures 1m square. Diameter 1.13m
>Height would be 1/2m off the roof
>Bearings of rotating axis are 100mm off roof
>If one solar cell is damaged, can just change one, rather than whole unit.
>If lens is damaged, can just change lens, rather than whole unit.
>Would need 4, to generate approx 50% of electricity usage in a domestic home.
Quote of the Week
"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones." - musical innovator John Cage