If you have or know a solar project, please submit it to us for consideration as a featured project using Submit an Item. http://www.solaripedia.com/302/submit-an-item.html

Project

Street Lights Mimic Nature

The Light Blossom, also known as Sustainable City Light, is a street light concept that collects its own energy from the sun and wind by transforming its appearance throughout the day. At night, its efficient LEDs beam light only where needed - and only when needed - through proximity sensing. As the sun shines, the Light Blossom emulates nature to begin the work of collecting solar energy. First, the 'petals' of its 'bud' open slowly. Much like a sunflower continues to face the sun while it moves from east to west during the day, Sustainable City Light's petals then gradually and continuously re-orient themselves in the direction of the sun, to face it with the maximum efficiency at each moment. The intelligent Sustainable City Light also takes advantage of cloudy, windy days. As the wind starts to blow, Sustainable City Light intuitively moves its petals to an upward half-open position, allowing them to catch the wind. The petals then progressively rotate, transferring the movement to the built-in rotor that instantly converts it into energy.

And when the sun shines again, Sustainable City Light adapts itself to the new weather. The device progressively stops rotating, and opens again to catch the sun rays.

Collecting energy... Whether storing energy for its own needs or feeding it back to the grid, Sustainable City Light indicates the energy collecting flow on its 'trunk' through a decorative light feedback, further informing passers-by.

When the night falls... As day fades to night, Sustainable City Light softly closes and transforms itself from a poetic power-generating landmark to a reassuring source of light. Its LEDs shine, lighting up with precision around its foot for safety and for the prevention of unnecessary 'light pollution'. The lamp format also allows passers-by to see the stars again.

When people pass by... When no one is around, Sustainable City Light glows at the minimum level required for safety in its 'stand-by' mode. When people pass by, Sustainable City Light senses this movement and comes to life, increasing its intensity and bathing passers-by in comforting light.

Sustainable City Light's LEDs use half of the energy of a traditional street light for the same light output. With its efficient, integrated solar cells and wind rotor, Sustainable City Light doesn't require power from the grid. It relies on itself, even through power shortages and other calamities Sustainable City Light will keep shining at night.

In remote areas, the self sufficient Sustainable City Light doesn't require a power infrastructure. This makes it simple for rural communities to leapfrog into outdoor lighting without having to invest in a grid infrastructure, or for any architect or city planner to place lighting in areas they usually would not.

In urban areas, Sustainable City Light not only provides truly green lighting, but can actually supply power back to the grid when it overproduces electricity, making it a light pole that generates rather than consumes power.

Light Trees
A similar street light concept design called Light Tree comes from the design studio of Omar Huerta.

Light tree mixes hydroponic techniques with the latest technology of solar cells. Water inside the "tree" efficiently conducts the light that is generated by several ultra-bright LEDs located in the base. At the same time, the water feeds the seeds that will be converted into a "living" tree. The seeds are in the upper extremities of the tree and can be removed, transplanted or left in place.