Petal Power: Solar Flowers Springing Up Across America

Spring and summer is normally the time one expects to see fields of flowers in full bloom.  But these particular flowers may have you taking a second-look.

Electric Garden

Solar Flowers are sprouting up all over! 15 sculptural sunflowers have been “planted” in a lot in Austin, Texas. The sunflowers' solar photovoltaic panels collect energy during the daylight hours which then power their super-cool looking blue LED lights at night. Any excess 15 kilowatts of power is sent to the grid to offset maintenance and operating costs. The Electric Garden, located on a bike and pedestrian path, also provides shade for people using the path and officially opened on July 30, 2009.

Designed by the creative and artistic Harries & Heder Collaborative team, the custom-made flowers have a blue crystalline surface and steel frames and stems. Talented artist Mags Harries and environmental artist and urban designer Lajos Heder, are an award-wining team that have many amazing projects.

Prius Solar Tour: Harmony Between Man, Nature and Machine

Everything’s coming up daisies with Toyota! The company has come up with a unique way to market their new 2010 3rd Generation Prius hybrids. Toyota has been busy “planting” special floral exhibits across the United States. Large daisies are sprouting all across the country and the 18-foot solar flowers true show-stoppers!  But more than just a pretty face, the flowers also provide free Wi-Fi and free recharging stations for laptops, cell phones and other mobile devices between the hours of 8:00 A.M and 9:00 P.M. Hours may vary according to location.

The solar panels, hidden at the back of the petals and base of the stems, partially power the 110-volt outlets located on the curvy benches. The ginormous daisies are great for those who want to take advantage of free power or for anyone who wants to sit down and rest a spell. The benches can seat up to 10 people at a time! The exhibit will be sprouting up in Boston, New York, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Solar bus shelters will also be part of the Prius Solar Tour. Select bus shelters across the nation have been retrofitted with solar panels on the roof that run fans that circulate the air inside the bus shelter. The Solar Powered Ventilation System uses a fan to draw outside air into the bus station.

Besides providing an alternative source of power, these unique solar flowers don’t require a green thumb!

Photo Jay Simmons