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Re:13-Year-Old Makes Solar Power Breakthrough by Harnessing ... by sankalpk on Friday August 19, 2011 @02:09AM (#2902432)
According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaic_system#Tracking_th...):

"tracking systems can increase viable output by up to 100%...For large systems, the energy gained by using tracking systems outweighs the added complexity (trackers can increase efficiency by 30% or more)"

The new tree design can make 20%-50% more electricity. Wouldn't know till they do some legitimate tests but it seems like the sun trackers fare better.

Re:13-Year-Old Makes Solar Power Breakthrough by Harnessing ... by tomp on Friday August 19, 2011 @04:16AM (#2902645)
Why compare the designs, when you can combine them? I'm sure that the tree design can be improved a lot more, by just slightly turning the "leaves" so that they face the sunlight more directly.
Re:13-Year-Old Makes Solar Power Breakthrough by Harnessing ... by ebzlo on Friday August 19, 2011 @05:10PM (#2904921)
I am willing to wager the suggested "combined" design would produce a very similar results anyway. The tree design is likely not necessary if the panels are moving.