I was ten years old when we drove by the largest sunflowers I’ve ever seen – ten meters tall, with petals the size of refrigerators. I craned my neck in the backseat, trying to get a better view from the car window. We were on a family road trip down I-70 in Colorado, heading to Moab to mountain bike. I remember thinking that I didn’t know flowers could grow so big and begged my dad to pull over so we could take a picture.
He parked at the Grand Junction rest stop, and my little brother and I tumbled out of the car. As we trotted toward the park, I realized that the sunflowers weren’t plants at all, but big metal structures shaped like flowers. What had originally seemed like large green stems were poles, and the petals were ovular black panels. My dad, a science teacher at the time, just stood back and grinned. “Time for a lesson about solar energy!” he announced. He explained that these giant structures were “solar electric flowers,” supplying energy to the rest stop. They even fed excess clean electricity onto the regional power grid through the electric meter on the rest area’s bathroom facility. Though my brother and I were quickly distracted by the playground next door, my dad’s enthusiasm for solar energy stuck with me long after our mountain bike adventure.
Today, I can’t help but point out “large sunflowers” and other art installations along highways, in parks, or within cities. This memory always brings a chuckle because, more than a decade later, I find myself working for a solar energy company. Although my company doesn’t create projects in the shapes of flora and fauna, being in the renewable energy sector has deepened my appreciation for these creative installations across the country.
Architects, designers, and artists have embraced the promise of solar energy to create aesthetically pleasing and thought-provoking works that both inspire and educate about renewable energy. Here are a few examples that I haven’t been lucky enough to witness in a drive-by manner but hope to someday:
Solar Egg
Located in Kiruna, Sweden, the Solar Egg stands as both a public sculpture and sauna, powered by its own solar panels to generate heat and spark conversations about the radical energy transition occurring in the region. Swedish artists Mats Bigert and Lars Bergström designed this 16.4-foot-tall egg from gold-plated stainless steel solar panels. Inside, the sauna boasts a cozy interior with pine wall panels, an aspen bench, and a heart-shaped wood-burning stove that warms the space.
Kiruna is undergoing a dramatic transformation necessitated by the mining company LKAB’s expansion efforts to access more of the iron seam beneath the town. This seam, crucial for Sweden’s economy since the late 19th century, is integral to Kiruna’s survival; no mine means no town. However, this move is fracturing and radically altering the landscape, environment, and architecture, sparking significant debate.
Bigert and Bergström intended for the Solar Egg to be more than just a sauna; they envisioned it as a social sculpture, inviting locals and visitors to gather and discuss these pressing challenges. In Lapland’s Arctic climate, this solar egg represents a sanctuary for warmth and contemplation where environmental champions meet monthly for forums. This project builds upon the artists’ longstanding strategy of integrating climate considerations into their artistic experiences, a concept they first explored with the Climate Chambers in 1994.
SunFlowers: An Electric Garden
Tucked behind the Bed, Bath and Beyond in Austin, Texas, lies a retail lot adorned with a stunning garden of solar sunflowers. Designed by the public art team Harries/Heder, this installation features 15 flower-like panels lining the bike path that weaves through the village of Mueller.
Nearly a decade ago, when construction began in Mueller, developers established several environmental and aesthetic guidelines to safeguard the green spaces and prevent the town from becoming too industrial. Thus, when the retail lot was proposed for economic development, the Mueller planning board added a stipulation for a renewable energy project adjacent to the lot. Besides providing shade for bikers and walkers, the solar flowers collect energy during the hot Texas days to power their colorful LED lights at night. Any excess power is sent to the grid, helping to offset the cost of maintaining the installation and supporting the nearby retail outlets.
Solar Tree at the University of Utah
Walk into the University of Utah's Crocker Science Center and you’ll encounter a hanging solar powered mobile tree sculpture. Inspired by Utah’s iconic Pinyon Pine, "Life of Tree" is composed of 190 bent aluminum triangles, featuring a central trunk with multiple branches extending outward, each adorned with photovoltaic panel "leaves." Its kinetic movements are influenced by wind, water, seismic activity, and solar cycles. Many life science professors bring their classes to this tree for lessons on resonance and frequency response. "Life of Tree" also generates electricity to power the USB charging ports around the vicinity of the structure, where students and visitors often sit to recharge their devices.
This installation fosters community engagement by offering a venue for students, faculty, and visitors to interact and learn about renewable energy solutions. It underscores the university's dedication to environmental stewardship and technological advancement. By seamlessly blending art with renewable energy technology, the Solar Tree raises awareness about solar power's potential to contribute to a sustainable future. It serves as a testament to how innovative design can incorporate sustainable practices into everyday environments.
The Copenhagen International School
From the mainland, the Copenhagen International School might appear like a rainbow mirage across the water. However, that’s just the captivating effect of the 12,000 color-changing solar panels that completely cover the exterior of the school's new building. Collectively, these panels generate 300 MWh of electricity per year, supplying more than half of the school’s energy needs.
The architects designed these panels to display a range of colors—red, royal blue, golden yellow, and sea green—by selectively reflecting specific wavelengths of light. Achieving this involved extensive digital simulations and a meticulous manufacturing process, taking 12 years from the initial sample to the debut of the first colored solar facade. Researchers developed special filters applied to the glass panels in nanometric layers, determining which wavelengths of light are reflected as visible color. The remaining sunlight is absorbed by the solar panel and converted into energy for the school to use.
Conclusion
These installations prompt us to reflect on the intricate connections between sustainability, community, and human creativity by merging renewable energy sources with artistic vision. This approach to sustainability attracts diverse audiences and raises awareness about sustainable energy solutions in a way that resonates with those who might not be as focused on hard science.
As I discovered at the ripe age of ten, art possesses a remarkable ability to captivate and engage people across age, language, and culture. Solar-powered art installations harness this potential, leveraging their aesthetic appeal to stimulate conversations and propel discussions about renewable energy. These installations invite interaction, involving viewers in dialogues about solar energy, sustainability, and climate change.
Curators and artists often complement these exhibits with guided tours, workshops, and educational activities, offering visitors opportunities to learn about solar energy and its environmental benefits. As demonstrated by the University of Utah’s Solar Tree and the Copenhagen International School’s installations, education plays a pivotal role in this endeavor, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their energy consumption and promoting sustainable behaviors. These art displays can be integrated into school curricula, introducing students to concepts of renewable energy and environmental stewardship. Educators can spark curiosity, encourage critical thinking, and inspire the next generation of renewable energy advocates by blending art, science, and social studies.
By involving the community into these interactive experiences, solar-powered art installations nurture curiosity, empathy, and a shared sense of responsibility towards renewable energy. These artworks stimulate dialogue, instigate behavioral change, and enhance public awareness of the importance of renewable energy by actively engaging communities and supporting educational initiatives. As we strive towards a greener tomorrow, solar-powered art installations offer an innovative and impactful way to transform public spaces and shape a more sustainable world.
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