Solar trees
Submitted by Alex van der Beek
Monday, September 29 2008
Avoid what could happen on many island communities around the world, the visual pollution done by Wind Turbines! Now there is an alternative, interesting news for Island Communities, as it can provide effective electricity and leave your landscape looking great.
Solar trees could set the future for multi renewable energy collection - not as a set of straight endless rows of brittle shiny panels in a desert, or visual polluting wind turbines but as an artificial tree…. “Forest”….. made of artificial natural looking “trees.”
We can make use of nature’s perfect design - a tree - innovative use of the latest nanotechnologies has made it possible to produce a highly efficient Nanoleaf which can be assembled onto artificial natural looking “trees.”
The “Nanoleaves” are a true ingenious concept - a little power house, a combination of thermo-photovoltaics, for conversion of light and heat, joined with piezovoltaic, tiny generators that generate electricity from movement of the wind. That’s three conversions in one system.
What does this mean for the future? The field of biomimetics is the application of methods and systems, found in nature. To capitalize on the wealth of designs and processes found in nature, engineering and technology, has spawned a number of innovations far superior to what the human mind alone could have devised. The reason is simple. Nature, through billions of years of trial and error, has produced effective solutions to innumerable complex real-world problems. The rigorous competition of natural selection means waste and efficiency are not tolerated in natural systems. Solar Botanics is replicating natural manufacturing methods as in the production of chemical compounds by plants and animals; enabling Solar Botanics to directly tap into nature’s ingenuity. In the near future, Solar Botanics will “grow” because of improved efficiency and aesthetic design (in tune with nature) to serve energy needs through the application of pragmatic natural solutions developed by evolution.
Trees and shrubs can almost always be planted without permission because they fit in with our local scenery. Trees, plants and shrubs have a esthetical function - they enhance our city and meeting places, and are quite nice to look at as well. Trees decrease our visual awareness of visual or noise pollution. Trees take better care of our micro climate, extreme temperatures are reduced and absorbed; and trees and shrubs give protection against wind, and sun. Trees are a source of inspiration for artistic creativity. Trees are a symbol growth and energy, trees have a economic value. The presence of trees often increases the value of property, especially mature trees that at the same time deliver more energy.
Solar Botanic Energy Systems plans to deliver the first trees by the end of 2010, offering the market a aesthetic and triple efficient solar, heat and wind collecting system. For example, a Solar Botanic palm tree with 36 leaves will generate more than 7000 kWh per year, the price of such a tree including a inverter is around $10,000.
Solar botanic trees can provide shade, cool the air, provide a wind break, crop protection. They can prevent heat islands in cities, road glare, provide a noise barrier, or protect dune vegetation. Solar botanic trees can be fitted with additional equipment to filter the air, (taking out CO2) and water. Water management can be controlled by trees.
These trees are triple efficient, durable and provide a low investment with high return. They are easy to install, weather resistant against rain, hail, dust, lightning, wind. They come in a variety of sizes, colours and species with an aesthetic natural design, in harmony with nature. Think of designer gardens, penthouses, and balconies. They even come in a wide arrangement of solar flowers, shrubs (solar shrub fencing) water plants.
Applications include: Urban and rural, recreational parks, city parks, new housing estates, plug in trees for cars, streets and parking areas, golf courses and resorts, mountainous regions and other far away places.
Certainly does give us something to think about during our current energy crisis.
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