Solar energy emerges as key player in renewable sector Offering sustainable and emission-free power

SmartFlower innovative device, resembling a sunflower with 12 solar panel petals that unfold automatically with the sunrise, is developed to maximize solar energy capture through a dual-axis tracking system, this system exemplifies a significant leap forward in sustainable energy technology.

Amid the surge in solar panel popularity, a new product has hit the market: a photovoltaic flower designed for garden use, capable of producing up to 6,200 kWh. This innovation follows the excitement generated by a bladeless wind turbine that produces electricity, challenging traditional solar panels with its high efficiency and aesthetic appeal.

Solar energy has emerged as one of the most efficient and significant energy sources in recent years. With climate change and the imperative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, solar energy has become a key player on the renewable energy stage. Harnessed from the sun, it is a renewable and sustainable energy source that produces no greenhouse gas emissions, making it an ideal alternative to conventional energy sources, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

This clean, renewable energy source does not emit greenhouse gases or other pollutants into the atmosphere. Additionally, its use decreases reliance on fossil fuels, reducing vulnerability to fluctuations in oil and other fossil fuel prices. While solar panels have been considered the primary enablers of solar energy, this new photovoltaic flower could potentially overshadow them.

Farewell to conventional solar panels: the first photovoltaic flower has arrived

The photovoltaic flower in question is the smartflower POP, a device designed to resemble a sunflower with 12 solar panel petals that automatically unfold with the sunrise. It can generate between 3,400 and 6,200 kWh annually.

“Nature provided our inspiration, like so many other innovations,” explained SmartFlower CEO Alexander Swatek during the device’s unveiling. The smartflower operates on the ground and can be installed in just a few hours, unlike traditional rooftop installations.

Equipped with a dual-axis tracker, the smartflower follows the sun's movement throughout the day, maximizing solar energy output. According to the company's website, this tracking mechanism boosts production by about 40 per cent compared to conventional rooftop solar panels of similar size.

The system's design enhances its efficiency, featuring 12 petals that open at sunrise. Solar cells are integrated into these petals, and as they close at the end of the day, they are automatically cleaned by brushes on the back of each panel.

The smartflower POP is manufactured in Australia but is already operational in various parts of the world. The updated +Plus version includes a battery for solar energy storage, and the SmartFlower EV system is available for electric vehicle charging.

Photovoltaic flower production per year: That’s how you get free electricity at home.

Generating between 3,400 and 6,200 kWh annually, the smartflower more than covers the average electricity consumption of a European household. “The sunflower uses solar energy more efficiently than almost any other plant, so it seemed a fitting inspiration for a device designed to enable more people than ever before to produce their own clean energy for their home,” said SmartFlower CEO Alexander Swatek.

The smartflower’s modules are back-ventilated, cooling 10 to 20°C more efficiently than conventional rooftop installations, thereby increasing performance by 5-10 per cent. It automatically retracts when wind speeds reach 54 km/h to prevent damage and redeploys once the wind subsides.

With this automatic and aesthetically pleasing system, you can have your own photovoltaic flower in your garden, eliminating the need for conventional solar panels.