Stan Roberts’ solar tracking power supply has won highly commended in our Inventions Competition.

Perennial Inventions Competition entrant Stan Roberts returned this year with his solution for powering plug-in equipment in off-grid locations – a mobile solar-tracking power supply.

Using a retired straw chopper as a turntable, four 325W solar panels slowly rotate and tilt on a horizontal axis throughout the day to capture the maximum amount of sunlight.

See also: Tips to get the perfect solar-powered electric fence setup

The turning motion is powered by a 12V pump that operates a hydraulic ram. This lifts a large weight up an inclined plane, which gradually falls throughout the day with a little help from gravity.

Mr Roberts uses the power captured by the solar panels to charge a battery bank, providing a 230V AC supply that can be used for lighting and small power tools.