Taieri College pupil Adam Scammell (13) has created an exhibit for the Aurora Otago Science and Technology Fair which shows how much extra energy can be collected from solar panels when they rotate to follow the sun.
``It replicates the sun and solar panels, and sees if a tracking solar panel can collect more energy in a day than a static solar panel.
``We found that tracking solar panels have a 38.7% power increase, because it is pointing towards the sun the whole time.''
He said stationary solar panels could not collect energy for two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset, because they were not pointed at the sun during those times.
``So that's an extra four hours a day that tracking solar panels can collect energy.''
His project is one of about 270 entered in this year's fair at Otago Museum by 25 schools from around the region.
Fair convener Steven Sexton said judging of the science and technology projects began yesterday, and would continue today.
He said the annual event aimed to support the thinking behind some of New Zealand's youngest scientists, so judging in the competition was more about the process pupils went through, rather than the results they achieved.
From tomorrow until Sunday, the public can view the displays in the 1877 Room at the museum.
All manner of experiments will be on display, he said.
A prize-giving for winners will be held on Sunday from 3pm to 4pm in the St David Lecture Theatre at the University of Otago.
