Now that the project has been completed, there are some questions that can be asked regarding what to do next. For example, a possible future interest for this field would be if this system was efficient if it was connected with other panels in the grid system mentioned previously. If so, then it would be important to test the true reliability of the solar panels when there is a minimal amount of energy to collect, and create a very advanced storage system for this energy.

After this, the lifespan of this system without maintenance could be tested, in order to realize how to keep the quality of the system. This could also lead to the field of electrical engineering and robotics, to invent a self-correcting panel system to adjust to more optimal angles for energy collection. (See Figure 6.) As well, this design could be further developed to imitate the heliotrophic movements of specific species of plants, tracking the sun as well as maintaining the optimal angles for an even greater power output.

This design can also be compressed down to a smaller size in terms of height, while keeping the same branch angles. This would make a lighter and more efficient design that could be applied to mobile robots as an energy source. Currently, mobile robots require large amounts of energy, and heavy battery packs in order to operate. Even with this, a robot can only run consistently for several minutes before running out. The solar tree collector can be modified to use on such robots on a day with good weather, allowing for designs to be lighter and more cost efficient. Since the sun is a freely available energy source, robots can run for longer than a few minutes using this effective method of obtaining energy. This could work for ground robots, as well as aerial robots that do not require aerodynamically streamlined specifications. Since the proposed design actually uses a hollow metal frame, the weight of a robot would be decreased significantly. These robots could eventually be explorers for aerospace purposes, or monitors of weather activity on Earth. This design does not only apply to mobile robots, but many other appliances and electrical devices as well.

Other questions for the data collection portion of this project include the different types of plants with these optimal branch angles required for good collection. This could be fully investigated before genetically engineering a perfect plant. This leads to questions about how the process of genetics in a plant occurs, and how to change this manner. For applications related to terraformation, that process is also questioned, with what phases need to occur, and how to make them happen. More research into Mars’ atmosphere and global warming may be done for future purposes. (See Figure 5.) Is it actually possible to terraform the Red Planet to solve overpopulation problems on planet Earth? How long would this process take?

This design could also be applied to solar thermal energy panels. Thermal solar panels can collect both diffused and reflected light off other panels and off surrounding objects, thereby increasing efficiency. There are two types: active and passive. Solar thermal panels function based on a specific area’s temperatures and thermodynamics. The water in a passive solar thermal system is able to circulate without the use of pumps. Flat plate panels are used to collect the solar energy. They are painted black to maximize heat absorption.

Solar thermal panels could be considered a combination energy transformer and a one-way valve. Energy cannot be created or destroyed with the system, but according to the first law of thermodynamics, it can be changed from one form to another. The incident solar radiation is thus transformed into electrical energy. Usually, panels are equipped with the proper amount of insulation so prevent as much convective loss as possible. The absorber plate of the solar panel will then warm up, and some of the heat will be transferred to the nearby air. To prevent this excessive heat transfer, a metal frame design is applied to the design of the device to prevent this.

Further testing can be done on this arrangement, and this may change conventional knowledge about the concept of solar panels. This project has provided many opportunities for branching out to different fields of science to change the future. This will lead to more ways to live life to its fullest, and allow for humankind to technologically advance into a new age.

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