Solar Lily Pads in Scotland
Scotland based firm ZM Architecture was recently awarded a prize by the International Design Awards for its promising solar technology concept known as the solar lily pad. What makes the most sense about this concept is that it can be implemented with very little environmental impact while saving precious land resources for other uses. Project manager Peter Richardson hopes to implement the technology on the River Clyde in an effort to supplement Glascow’s electricity needs while creating a unique waterfront experience. Glascow City Council has already approved a small test site for construction of a pilot project.
“In cities all over the world there are disused water ways, canals and rivers.Often they become the focus for regeneration and for most people offer an improved quality of life and environment. Our project proposes to stimulate river activity and change by proposing that the surface is used to harness the power of Solar energy on a large scale. The energy created can be easily transformed and exported to the grid and will reduce the carbon footprint of the city. The idea references large lilypads that are optimized for efficient photosynthesis, so the design is inspired by nature. They can be moved and dismantled and are simply tethered to the river bed, integrated motors can rotate the discs so their orientation to the sun is maximized throughout the day.”
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May 15th, 2008
Very interesting, but their site has nothing on it (at least that I could find). I was hoping to get some details on the technology, specs & stats. What about maintenance?
May 15th, 2008
You know, I think this is an idea cooked by some designers and awarded a prize by some other designers. I find it hard to believe that anyone with experience with solar was involved.
Glasgow it at a latitude of 55N. That means that to be maximally efficient these panels are going to have to be adjusted multiple times per year in a range of 78 degrees to 32 degrees. They are going to be almost vertical in the winter.
Got wind up that river? Puppies are going to be bucking on their anchor lines as they try to sail away.
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They are talking about rotating the pads during the day to follow the sun. That’s not very effective tracking except for mid winter. And I sort of doubt that Scotland has much sun to capture in the middle of winter. Don’t know, haven’t hung out there….
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Got traffic on that river? How are these pads going to like getting run into by a runaway barge? One took out a bridge in the US a few weeks ago. **it happens.
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Got a good way to get maintenance out there to clean off the snow (got snow in Scotland) in the middle of winter?
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Finally, notice all that unused roof top space in the picture?
(Kind of reminds me of a bicycle designed by a dress designer…. ;o)
May 16th, 2008
I agree with Bob Wallace… river traffic, river currents, high latitude and what about running electrical cables from the pads to the power grid … are we really running out of stable rooftops to hang panels or is the challenge still generating efficiency?
May 18th, 2008
Yeah, I don’t understand why this won an international award. The point of solar energy is to reduce our impact on the environment. This seems to enlarge human disturbance on the river front. I doubt they would be very attractive from the shore anyway. In short, very dumb idea.
-Put solar panels over those parking lots to shade and protect the cars there. Kill two birds with one stone.
May 18th, 2008
Why not put the solar panels on the tops of all the buildings? You’re putting the technology in the middle of the river where it has a much higher impact on wildlife and the way the river looks. The tops of all those buildings are just waiting for solar panels…
May 19th, 2008
This idea should be used in other parts of the world.
May 29th, 2008
Interesting concept. I believe you could use this as a dual use platform by marrying the lily pad to offshore fish farms as to allow a single location provide two services. Deep water farms may not be applicable, but muscle farms, like those in the Atlantic, or Salmon farms like those in Ireland and Scotland would be suitable for small scale pilots.
my 2cents…
mko