Solar Lilies

Solar Lilies, computer renderings of the River Clyde in Glasgow. Peter Richardson (British, b. 1962), ZM Architecture. United Kingdom, 2007. Courtesy of designer

Nature continues to be an inspiration for designers seeking optimized, sustainable solutions for harvesting energy. Solar Lilies, designed by the Scottish firm ZM Architecture, are biomimetic solar collectors whose form is modeled on the plant that inspires their name. Initially conceptualized for the River Clyde in Glasgow, the solar lily pads take advantage of open and underused space along waterways to convert solar energy to grid electricity. Circular discs made from steel and recycled rubber float on rivers. The discs are mounted with motorized solar arrays that rotate to track the sun throughout the day, angling themselves for maximum exposure to gather the sunlight that is intensified by the water. The giant Solar Lilies range in diameter from fifteen to forty-five feet, with “stems” tethered to the river bed for easy maneuverability.