The Future of Solar?
The Brooklyn–based start-up SMIT (Sustainably Minded Interactive Technology) was formed in 2005 by the brother and sister team of Samuel and Teresita Cochran. Their goal: to invent a hybrid new approach to solar and wind power. Their Solar Ivy—flexible photovoltaic 'leaves' made of sheets of recyclable polyethylene—is a modular, ivy-like system that can be used on the sides of buildings, to capture the sunlight much like plants do. As the 'ivy' flutters and shifts in the wind, it converts solar energy into electricity.
Solar Ivy is currently in production, and will be available for purchase starting in mid-October. Meanwhile, the Cochrans, along with architectural designer Benjamin Wheeler Howes, are currently developing the next generation of the technology, which they call GROW. It will look and act like Solar Ivy, except that as it flutters in the wind, it will transform that kinetic energy into electricity, making each leaf that much more potent and powerful.
A vision for the future; perhaps one day all houses will have their own Solar Ivy outcrop.
What inspired solar ivy, originally?
I grew up in St. Louis with a window that looked out over a wall of ivy. It found its way there because it could get a good footing on the old brick buildings, and it received direct sun. The ivy would move slightly, like prairie grass, showing waves of wind moving across a building. This vision from childhood stayed with me till I was trained as an Industrial Designer at Pratt Institute; then I was able to see the connections and opportunities between that vision of a plant and how we apply photovoltaic panels to our homes. From this, Solar Ivy and GROW products were born.
What's cool about this invention, compared to regular solar panels?
Solar Ivy—a biomimetic form of ivy—is an extremely versatile system of modular components, which allows solar to go places that were previously inaccessible. It's the first of many products we're developing that look toward the future of what a solar system on a home can be, and really improve the experience of how we live and interact with it. We're also working on a hybrid wind-and-solar panel that resembles ivy, which we're calling GROW. Both GROW and Solar Ivy have modular elements, which keeps manufacturing costs down, and allows for the designs to adapt to advances in solar technology.
Is there a precedent for this concept of combining solar and wind energy?
In very few cases; most are wind turbines next to solar arrays. None are as closely integrated as GROW.
What's next?
We have many sales in the works for our first production run of Solar Ivy, which will be available by mid-October. In the near future we will be setting up a test location at the Brooklyn Navy Yard to experiment with the next versions of Solar Ivy, and some new products aimed at stadiums and lighting-heavy applications like Times Square and Las Vegas.
What's your ultimate vision for GROW, or Solar Ivy?
I see our products covering and powering skyscrapers, stadiums, and homes all over the world.
Articles
-
101 Alternative Energy
From the Aquastar to zero-energy homes, we present an A-to-Z guide of green power tips and home energy savings.
-
101 Solar
Dare we say "enlightening"? Be it passive or aggressive, find out what solar energy can do for you.
-
Solar Flair
Interested in running more than just your home on the sun’s rays? Here’s a handy introduction to some of the most innovative solar goods available.
Products
-
Green Wreath
Hang this festive ceramic wreath on your door to welcome in the holiday season. Artists Felix Knaizev and Olga Julinska have a brilliant collection of holiday pieces available on their site…
-
Solar Shades
Solar Shades are energy efficient and environmentally friendly—a modern solution for any room. They absorb heat and block UV rays while still preserving your view.
-
Solar-Powered Toy Helicopter
This whimsical whirlybird comes from the German company Inpro Solar, and is sure to delight any budding young aviator. The solar panel on the rotor generates enough energy to turn the blade, and…
Videos
-
The Future of Play
For an article on the future of playground design, appearing in the December/January 2009 "Future" issue, artists Mike Perry and Jim Stoten not only collaborated on the illustration that…
-
The Future of Driving
San Francisco–based industrial designers Mike Simonian and Maaike Evers sit down with Dwell's Editor-in-Chief, Sam Grawe, to talk about their thoughts on the future of transportation.
Events
-
Energy Alternatives: Weaning New York from Fossil Fuels
Ashok Gupta, Air & Energy Program Director for the Natural Resources Defense Council, will moderate a discussion on practical near-term opportunities and barriers associated with the deployment of…
-
Future Cities
IJNR, The International Journal of Neighbourhood Renewal is pleased to announce the staging of Future Cities, a New Annual Conference Series dedicated to the sustainable development of our Cities…
Advertising
Advertising
Advertising
Related Products
-
Green Wreath
Hang this festive ceramic wreath on your door…
-
Solar Shades
Solar Shades are energy efficient and…
-
Solar-Powered Toy Helicopter
This whimsical whirlybird comes from the…
Latest
-
02.03
Friday Finds 02.03.12
It's a balmy Friday here at Dwell's San Francisco office, and…
-
02.03
David Stark Pop-Up Shop
New York designer David Stark is the ne plus ultra of event…
-
02.03
Test Kitchen Before-and-After
In our February 2012 issue we featured the new experimental…
Follow
Dwell
-
Sofia Coppola has a nice loft for sale in Little Italy, but how 'bout those bentwood Breuer chairs? http://t.co/w4OdmvgZ #design #hubbahubba
-
Huge crowd at the sf #design center for @dwellprez and @dianabudds talking social media.
-
Getting ready for the social media and #design panel at SFDC http://t.co/gnBp543c
-
The new anteak line from @walkerzanger looks pretty good. #Design #tile
Interesting, but admit a little weird and impractical. Adding design into appliances is acceptable, for art sake, but this is weird, and not of practical, for mass marketing. Would be acceptable for archtectural detailing. And might be a little much to keep clean and appears not sturdy, which would turn off most people.
Very interesting from potential architectural detailing. It begs the question as to how this "ivy" would stand up to not-so-gentle breezes. I'm trying to envision these ivy leaves in 100kph winds.
I agree this undertaking appears impractical economically and perhaps intensive to maintain amid environmental havoc, especially if the past year is any indication of future disasters. I also wonder, though, whether long-term transformation requires more of just these types of quirky approaches before the ergonomic and economic facets of implementation can be more level with aesthetic appeal. In any case, it's great to see ideas crystallizing beyond 'Oh, what a great idea! We should make something of it!', even if for a variety of reasons, they remain confined to a modest scale for now.
If production costs are low enough this looks like a great product. I work in this field implementing renewable energy projects for federal agencies and can see many potential applications for something like this. The key, again, is cost. If nor electical contractor is required to mount the "ivy" to the wall or substrate, this could be installed with low cost labor or as part of a painting project. It could also be installed on retaining walls and berms along freeways, perimeter fences, etc.
Brilliant! whats the price point? This is a very decorative way to do it.I'd buy this product.
I forgot: it's almost impossible to make polyethylene, esp.what we call wide spec recycled resin, sufficiently UV resistant to not have this fall apart in a few years of sun exposure. UV resistance and moisture exclusion are HUGE issues in designing all solar devices, along with having the plastic layers we do use keep moisture away from the cells and electrically isolate the cells and wiring. A lot is already known about this and PE won't ever work, which is why your aseptic package has a layer of aluminum in it under the PE layer. Recycle it into something else where it adds value.
How many kwh per square foot of this installed does the "ivy" produce?
Not very practical yet, it seems, but I love the idea of imitating what real ivy does.
RSS Feed
Add a Comment