Jason Chang, a Massachusetts seventh grader, developed a solar panel tracker that utilizes gravity and water flow rather than electricity to follow the sun. The $25 device, constructed from recycled materials,boosts energy output by roughly 20%.
The $25 gravity-fed alternative to expensive motors
Jason Chang, a student at Worcester Academy, has engineered a solar tracker that avoids the inherent irony of using electricity to generate electricity. According to the report, the device utilizes a seesaw-like frame equipped with water containers; as water drips slowly into a bucket on one side, the increasing weight pulls the panel down, tilting it to follow the sun's path across the sky.
By relying on simple physics rather than electronic servos, Jason Chang kept construction costs to approximately $25. The young inventor used mostly recycled parts to build the prototype, which he tested against a standard fixed solar panel. The results showed that the gravity-driven movement increased the voltage output by about 20%.
Bridging the gap between $1,000 trackers and fixed panels
The invention arrives at a time when high-end solar tracking remains prohibitively expensive for the average consumer. Commercial single-axis trackers typically cost between $500 and $1,000 per panel, and while they offer higher efficiency gains—raging from 25% to 40%—their reliance on motors requires ongoing maintenance. For many, adding more stationary panels is currently a cheaper alternative than investing in motorized tracking.
This low-cost approach aligns with the growing trend of "plug-in solar," which is designed for renters who cannot install permanent roof fixtures. As reported by CBS, California legalized plug-in solar on September 30, with the law set to take effect in 2027. For aparmtent dwellers using balcony-mounted kits, a low-cost tracker like the one built by Jason Chang could significantly maximize the limited space available for energy capture.
Solving the freezing and evaporation flaws of the prototype
Despite the successful proof-of-concept, the current prototype is not yet viable for year-round deployment. Because the system relies on liquid water, it suffers from environmental vulnerabilities: the water freezes during winter months and evaporates during extreme summer heat. Jason Chang is currently working on a new version to address these temperature-related failures.
This leaves several critical technical questions unanswered. Specifically, it remains to be seen if Jason Chang can identify a non-volatile fluid that maintains consistent weight properties across temperature swings without increasing the $25 price point. Additionally, the report notes that the fluid control frame requires extremely precise measurements, raising questions about whether the design can be easily standardized for mass production.
From Worcester Academy to the National STEM Festival in D .C.
The ingenuity displayed by the Worcester Academy student has earned him national recognition as one of 55 National STEM Champions. This honor includes a trip to the National STEM Festival in Washington, D.C., where co-founder Jenny Buccos described Jason Chang as one of the reasons to believe the future is in "incredible hands."
Beyond residential use in the U.S., Jason Chang believes his gravity-based tracker could provide critical energy boosts to off-grid communities and disaster zones. In developing regions where expensive motorized hardware is impractical or impossible to maintain, a recycled, water-powered system could offer a sustainable way to increase power yields without requiring a complex supply chain for spare parts.
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