A solar tree is a different take on ground mounted panels.
Solar panel in tree.
Like a real tree solar trees can offer shade making them ideal for integration into an open park or property.
Factors that make the solar trees stand out.
Branches and leaves can block sunlight from hitting your roof which means your solar panels aren t maximizing their electricity production potential.
Even so solar panels seem to have an edge over trees and it is important to remember that trees don t live and grow forever.
Avoid planting trees near the west or southwestern facing sides of home.
Solar trees offer more than just energy output from their panels.
The solar tree design is efficient and strikingly appealing.
It will take a major transition to renewable energy like solar to stem the release of fossil carbon to the atmosphere from which there is no good long term way to remove it.
Combine that with the tree shading and those panels will probably lose about half their energy yield compared to unshaded north facing panels.
Solar tree systems elevate panels high into the air and support them with a single free standing structure.
It s a difficult truth but solar power and trees do not always get along.
Ironically maximizing those solar benefits may involve cutting down a tree or two.
Properly maintain trees that are.
Some people will be ok with that for others halving the energy yield will be too much to bear.
Place trees away from home to prevent blocking scratching and otherwise damaging solar panels.
Trees or solar panels do you have to choose.