UC Merced researchers harness sun's energy, clouds or not

[Kadie]

UC Merced
Thursday, Sep. 29, 2011

UC Merced researchers harness sun's energy, clouds or not
By YESENIA AMARO


Researchers at UC Merced have created a new kind of solar thermal system that generates high temperatures and efficiency levels without having to track the sun.

The system, which works all day, uses specially made collector tubes to collect sunlight. Using existing technology, the heat generated from the collectors can then be transformed for cooling and heating, among other potential uses, researchers said Wednesday.

Solar collectors usually have to move and track the sun to achieve full energy production and require additional equipment that can be costly and difficult to maintain, researchers said.

"What makes (the collector tubes) so unique is that they don't have to track the sun," said Heather Poiry, a mechanical engineering student who works with UC Merced Professor Roland Winston, who pioneered the system. "This is the only one of its kind that doesn't have to move to track the sun."

Read more: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2011/09/29/2062296/clouds-or-not-suns-energy-harnessed.html#ixzz1ZS1ogvAh




BEA AHBECK/[e-mail] - UC Merced professor Roland Winston pioneered the new solar thermal system which uses collector tubes that are stationary and do not need to track the sun. A UC Merced research team made up of UC Merced students, lead by professor Winston, have been refining and building them system.



BEA AHBECK/[e-mail] - Heather Poiry, a mechanical engineering student who works with UC Merced professor Roland Winston, who pioneered the system, talks about the new solar thermal system in Merced, Calif. Wed. Sept. 28, 2011.

[slackmaster]

1. If they can get it to work at night, we'll all be saved!

:toast:

[dkf]

2. Wow I am blown away by this.

Thank you!

Stories of innovation are so much more uplifting than the usual fare we deal with.

[Aerows]

3. Wonderful to see some positive news

Hopefully this will be another step to expanding the use of solar energy.

[jwirr]

4. Think of what that would do for us up here in MN where the sun kind

of disappears during winter months. Good.