Solar panels remain a major source of renewable energy in many parts of the world. Now, India has launched tree-shaped solar panels that are proving very successful. Each of these solar trees produces 53.6 kW of energy and removes 12 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere annually. They are metal structures that absorb sunlight and sequester carbon.
The solar tree is designed to resemble a tree with solar panels as leaves
And it’s not just India; a study published in Scientific Reports, led by Dan-Bi Um of the Korea Maritime Institute, used 3D geospatial simulations to model how these structures would behave in a coastal forest in Geoseong County, South Korea. There’s much to analyze in this regard, as in India they’ve observed how the air cools, pollution decreases, and the ground beneath the tree roots begins to vibrate with a quiet energy.
To achieve the same megawatt of power, only 87 trees with 330W panels
The simulation with solar trees revealed a radically different picture. The design is quite interesting, as the solar tree is designed to resemble a tree with solar panels as leaves; it’s not an impressive structure, but it produces clean energy in the tens of kilowatts; one model generated up to 53.6 kW. To achieve the same megawatt of power, only 87 trees with 330W panels, or just 63 trees with 450W panels, are needed, preserving up to 99% of the forest.
In many areas, every square meter counts, making a model that occupies a significantly smaller footprint appealing
In India, this is particularly interesting because, despite investment in massive solar parks, available land for large-scale solar projects is extremely scarce. In this context, entrepreneur Gautam Adani is currently building a mega-green energy plant in the western Indian state of Gujarat. In many areas, every square meter counts, making a model that occupies a significantly smaller footprint while generating high output especially appealing. This project, undertaken by his renewable energy company, Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL), will cost approximately $20 billion.
South Korea: deforestation linked to solar plants increased from 529 hectares in 2016 to 2,443 in 2018
It is important to note that the expansion of solar energy often leads to conflicts between renewable energy goals and ecosystem preservation. In fact, as the study details, South Korea is an illustrative example: deforestation linked to solar plants increased from 529 hectares in 2016 to 2,443 in 2018. On the other hand, it is also stated that many of these solar tree systems produce tens of thousands of units of electricity per year, and that solar panels replace fossil fuel-based generation.
They provide electricity generation while forests continue to function as carbon sinks
The fact is that with this new way of generating energy, solar trees offer benefits on two fronts. They provide electricity generation while forests continue to function as carbon sinks, biodiverse habitats, and natural barriers against erosion. The process involves replacing electricity generated from fossil fuels (coal, diesel), and a single solar tree generates enough clean energy locally to replace electricity from polluting sources in general.
Energy independence in agriculture is essential, while simultaneously reducing economic dependence on diesel, a rapidly depleting resource
The design not only maximizes solar energy capture but also allows light to reach the undergrowth, preserving the original vegetation. In this way, solar trees promote micro-entrepreneurship and energy independence in agriculture, while simultaneously reducing economic dependence on diesel, a rapidly dwindling resource. Culturally and mentally, the unique ability to absorb 12 tons of CO2 is celebrated as a new forest of technology, optimism, and opportunities, extending far beyond mere economic growth. In urban parks or forest trails, they could also power LED lighting at night, making their potential applications clear.
