Solar trees and solar canopies are all about the idea of taking solar energy to another level. Solar energy is a renewable source of energy. It is cheaper, perennial, and environmentally friendly.
Tapping into solar energy is a revolutionary way to drive renewable energy production and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels which release harmful greenhouse gases and thereby lowers our carbon footprint.
And to promote the use of solar energy, sustainable, aesthetic-looking solar structures such as solar trees and solar canopies have come up. Here we harness the energy of the sun to generate electricity.
Ever seen the Supertrees in Singapore? Remember those colossal structures that look like trees right out of a science fiction novel. Those are solar trees.
A collection of 18 artificial Supertrees ranging in height upto 50 metres, were set up in Singapore at "Gardens by the Bay" (a botanical project). These solar trees also serve as vertical gardens with ferns and vines climbing up the steel framework.
So what are solar trees? A solar tree is a structure resembling a tree and generating solar energy using photovoltaic (PV) panels.
How does a solar tree work?
In a solar tree, the photovoltaic "leaves" will capture the sunlight and convert it into electricity. This is then conducted down through the framework that resembles the trunk of a tree to an internal battery.
Some designs of solar trees feature rotating panels and these can move throughout the day and absorb more amounts of sunlight.
These are futuristic "trees" and can be set up even in rural communities or other off-grid locations. They can be used to supplement other methods of harnessing sunlight.
Why solar trees?
One of the main perks of setting up solar trees is that they help save land as they are vertical. Due to their towering height, they can also receive more sunlight than solar panels mounted on a lower ground.
If you were to take a look at the Supertrees in Singapore, you can see that the steel framework is covered by climbers and floral species, increasing the aesthetic value. Thus it also adds to the biodiversity of the urban locale. Moreover, these trees require less maintenance compared to other means of solar energy production. They also help cool the heat islands by reducing the thermal energy that gets reflected off surfaces. These structures can thus help offset the effect of climate change.
Solar canopy
Now what are solar canopies? A solar canopy is a structure that is designed to cover an outdoor area. They are rooftops that are used to harness solar energy using photovoltaic panels.
They also provide shelter in expansive areas. One can even say that the future of parking lies in solar canopies. They are slowly becoming popular in public places and businesses. These green roofs are mostly used as transportation infrastructure (bus shelters, or parking lots) or in recreational areas.
Solar canopies help in decentralised energy production and have an edge over huge grid-based power systems as these can help avoid grid failures and power outages. Despite their advantages the solar canopies are not that common. This is expected to change over time.
Picture Credit : Google
