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SOLAR TRACKER

A heliotropic PV folly inspired by plant phototropism

Status: Conceptual
These solar flower canopies celebrate the technology of photovoltaics and the architecture of the folly by blurring the boundaries of engineering and design so as to produce an aesthetically and ecologically enhanced space.

Positioned on Steep Hill Meadow just east of Arthur Shurcliff’s Grand Allée, the Solar Flower Canopies provides a vibrant canopy that shades an open, flexible events space. The folly is modeled after a field of colorful flowers, composed of a network of pentagonal solar panels that track the sun throughout the day. As opposed to expensive GPS guidance, these flowers rely on a motorized system that equalizes the energy flow throughout the photovoltaic system. The sun itself is used to align the panels. The tracker moves away from shade towards the sunlight until it finds equilibrium in the amount of luminance entering the slolar cells. In this behavior the solar flowers mimic the heliotropism of actual plants and create a deep engagement with the surrounding ecological condition. The petals can also be folded up with a simple hydraulic mechanism. An adaptable public space can be modified to suit a dynamic program; a community gathers to watch the solar fowers put their function on theatrical display.

Human POV model photographs

Bird’s eye view model photograph

Render and model photograph of PV system

Plan drawing showing solar canopies opened and closed

Video illustrating prototype modifying tilt and rotation dependant on available sunlight