Solar Tree

Solar Tree is a 26 foot welded steel sculpture of a stylized oak tree with solar panels. At night in the country the neon outline of Solar Tree can be seen for miles

Solar Tree video

Filmed and Edited by Carina Lofgren.

This video goes into the solar power of Solar Tree, and walks through some of my process. Solar Tree is located at Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MN and created with support from a FSP Jerome Fellowship. I greatly enjoyed learning about photovoltaics, and took classes from the Midwest Renewable Energy Association in solar PV site assessment, design, and installation. My teacher, Kris Schmid, helped me during my installation.

Solar Tree model

This is a short video modeling my idea for Solar Tree created by Dayworks Inc. Solar Tree is a welded steel sculpture that uses solar panels and a battery system to store energy so it can glow at night. The design of the oak tree shaped sculpture compliments the surrounding landscape referencing the rolling hills and lone standing trees often found in farmland. Solar Tree benefits visitors of Franconia during the day with its canopy of shade and USB charging station, and at night as a glowing beacon, an icon of Franconia and renewable energy art.

Solar Tree gallery

Solar Tree press

Clean Technica

Clean Technica

Twin Cities Pioneer Press

Twin Cities Pioneer Press

Atlas Obscura

Atlas Obscura

Franconia Sculpture Park blog

Franconia Sculpture Park blog

Clean Energy Resource Teams

Clean Energy Resource Teams

Another Walk in the Park blog

Another Walk in the Park blog

St. Croix Valley Magazine

St. Croix Valley Magazine

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Wetland Grass