Tooloo has developed a new kind of solar thermal collector that addresses the current issues of the solar industry, including low efficiency, complexity, and high costs. It combines engineering simplicity with high-performance solar concentration, and does it in a way that’s both scalable and cost-effective.

At the heart of the system is an innovative, patent-pending dual-axis solar tracker that works entirely without electricity. Traditional trackers use motors, sensors, software, and controllers to follow the sun across the sky. These parts are expensive and prone to failure, especially in harsh environments.

Tooloo’s tracking system is completely mechanical and passive. It uses a Fresnel lens to focus sunlight onto a central receiver, which contains a thermally responsive fluid. As the fluid heats up, it expands and activates a mechanical actuator that shifts the position of the collector. This single actuator and the mechanical tracking system control both axes, elevation, and azimuth, meaning the system follows the sun all day long, with no electronics, no grid power, and no sensors.

When sunlight is concentrated and falls slightly off-target, it automatically heats the fluid chamber again and nudges the collector back into alignment. This creates a natural feedback loop that keeps the system perfectly tracking the sun throughout the day. It’s like the system “self-corrects” using nothing but sunlight.

The entire collector, lens, receiver, and tracker are mounted on a lightweight, modular frame. It’s designed to be easy to manufacture with standard tools and materials, meaning it can be built and assembled locally almost anywhere in the world. It’s also durable, built to withstand years of sun, wind, and dust, with minimal maintenance.

Key Features at a Glance

• Dual-axis solar tracking with just one actuator, no electronics
• Fresnel lens concentrator delivers temperatures up to 1000°C
• Modular and scalable, from a single roof unit to a full-scale solar heat farm
• 100% mechanical, grid-independent, and low-maintenance
• Local manufacturing is ready, no rare parts or expensive tools
• Designed for industrial, residential, and off-grid applications