Giant marble solar tracking/collection

[Adios Pantalones]

Tracks sun and moon to make tricity.

Seems like it would be super expensive and require a lot of energy to produce

(broken link removed to http://share.banoosh.com/2012/09/20/giant-marble-harvests-energy-from-sun-and-moon/)

(broken image removed)

 

[begreen]

It's a hollow glass ball so it would be less expensive to produce than it looks. But it is water filled which adds a lot to the weight. And the water would need a biocide to prevent algae buildup I would think. Wonder how much heat it produces at its focal point?

 

[Adios Pantalones]

How about a array of smaller marbles focused onto a focal plane array... Easier to manage

 

[peakbagger]

The dreaded solyndra "panels" had similar self tracking characteristics. Still available for $1.50 a watt on ebay.

It would be interesting to see the backup for how much power is being produced with moonlight.

 

[Jags]

Lacking any details on output and method of light to tricity. Put a bug underneath that thing. I wanna see something fry.

 

[Delta-T]

I'm not sure there's anything to collect from moonlight, seing as its reflected light but I'm with Jags...thats a rockin bug cooker.