Solar Flower

[Siochair]

Just came across this set-up and thought it looked interesting. It’s not available in the UK yet but I imagine it will be available in due course.

 

https://smartflower.com/

[SteamyTea]

Fantastic, they show the built in shading.

 

All we need to go with it is a wind turbine that has blades designed similar to a sycamore seed.

[Carrerahill]

Gimmick. No tech spec in sight. Don't see this taking off. Bet it costs more than the equal power density installed on the roof out the road which will look better and can be upgraded using off the shelf panels. 

[ToughButterCup]

1 minute ago, Carrerahill said:

Gimmick. ...

 

But I want one. Now.

[joth]

16 minutes ago, ToughButterCup said:

 

But I want one. Now.

 

And you've wanted one for half a decade!

 

 

[Trw144]

57 minutes ago, Siochair said:

Just came across this set-up and thought it looked interesting. It’s not available in the UK yet but I imagine it will be available in due course.

 

https://smartflower.com/

Remember seeing them at a trade show in Germany/Austria about 10 plus years ago, so would imagine they would have been here by now (also thought the company went bump but seemingly not). Look cool but a very expensive way of adding solar PV

[jack]

1 hour ago, Carrerahill said:

Gimmick. No tech spec in sight. Don't see this taking off. Bet it costs more than the equal power density installed on the roof out the road which will look better and can be upgraded using off the shelf panels. 

 

This was a ridiculous idea when first presented many years ago, and it remains a ridiculous idea now. I reckon five or maybe even ten times the cost of the equivalent power using standard panels. 

[Pocster]

2 hours ago, jack said:

 

This was a ridiculous idea when first presented many years ago, and it remains a ridiculous idea now. I reckon five or maybe even ten times the cost of the equivalent power using standard panels. 

I’m sure I saw the cost somewhere; it was insane 

[Siochair]

I’ve just found this post where they say the cost will be between £12,500 and £19,500. I like the theory of it but maybe not the practice.

 

https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/rooftop-solar-system-delivers-60-more-electricity

[ToughButterCup]

I still want it. I just can't grow flowers for the life of me. And planting a dozen of these would show Debbie that I care about gardening.

🎱

 

[Ferdinand]

There are a lot of strange solar proposals around in response to the increased electric prices, quite often puffed by bits of media as Gee-Wizz products.

 

The ones I have seen are usually less than half efficient than basic panels.

 

Isn't this one similar?

[SteamyTea]

2 minutes ago, Ferdinand said:

There are a lot of strange solar proposals around in response to the increased electric prices, quite often puffed by bits of media as Gee-Wizz products.

 

The ones I have seen are usually less than half efficient than basic panels.

 

Isn't this one similar?

There is 3.2 kW for 18m2. So 178 W/m²

A good module a decade ago would have been about the same (285W, 1m by 1.6)

 

For the same amount of unshaded area a roof mounted system would take up 11m2.

 

A circle of modules would have a diameter of about 3.7m (almost as wide as my house).