A while ago I wrote about electric pylons with an unusual design. In Austin, Texas solar flowers are used to generate shade during sunny days, power blue LED lights at night and the leftover power is sent to the grid. The 15 flower like solar panel installations are designed by Harries/Heder, a firm for public art projects. According to Harries/Heder, the flowers are “an icon for the sustainable, LEED certified Mueller Development and a highly visible metaphor for the energy conscious City of Austin.” Not all residents are convinced that this is an improvement of their town, but for me it is a nice example of various ways to use solar cells and to attract attention to the use of them.
Via: Inhabitat, photo by David Newsom
