A recent study indicates that vertically designed “solar trees” can generate electricity on par with conventional solar farms while reducing associated forest loss by up to 99 percent.

“Through 3D geospatial simulations and standard test conditions, we show that linear arrangements of solar tree structures preserve 99 percent of forest cover,” said a new study.

The research showed that as few as 63 solar trees could produce 1 megawatt (MW) of power, an output that required a ground-mounted facility to clear 98 percent of the forest on the same site. This approach presents an alternative for renewable energy development in forested areas.

“Solar energy expansion often comes at the cost of forest destruction, creating fundamental conflicts between renewable energy goals and ecosystem preservation,” added the study.

Generating sustainable power

The research, published in Scientific Reports by Dan-Bi Um of the Korea Maritime Institute, models the solar trees on an installation in Seoul. 

This model stands 15.7 feet (4.8 meter) tall and 13.4 feet (4.1 meter) wide, with branches that hold 35 solar panels. The study considered trees with a capacity of 11.5 kW (using 330 W panels) and 15.8 kW (using 450 W panels). 

According to the paper, the vertical structure allows panels in the upper canopy to generate power while permitting sufficient light to reach the understory vegetation.

The study was based on a coastal forest in Geoseong County, South Korea, where a flat-panel solar plant was constructed in 2014. That plant covers 22,856 m2 and uses 4,347 panels, each with a 230 W capacity, to produce 1,000 kW. 

The simulation explored replacing this installation with solar trees. The results showed that 87 trees with standard panels or 63 with high-efficiency panels would be needed to match the 1 MW output, preserving nearly all of the original forest cover.

Using 3D geospatial data

To conduct the analysis, Um used 3D geospatial data and Google Earth Pro satellite images of the forest from before the plant’s construction. 

A photomontage was created to visualize the placement of solar trees in the 3D terrain model. 

The paper notes this method is “a widely accepted method in academic and professional contexts for visualizing proposed landscape modifications.” 

In the simulation, the trees were arranged along the site’s boundary and a central hiking trail with a 65 feet (20-meter) spacing to show how they could be integrated with minimal impact.

Could boost renewable energy sector

The findings are relevant to global discussions on land use for renewable energy. Many nations face the need to expand green energy production, which can compete with conservation, agriculture, and other land uses. 

By occupying a smaller ground footprint and preserving much of the underlying ecosystem, solar tree installations could help mitigate these conflicts.

“Although our study centers in South Korea, the methodology has broad applicability for other nations looking to expand renewable energy while preserving forest ecosystems,” the study concluded.

“Solar trees are a promising dual-solution to align energy and environmental priorities as global commitments call for the tripling of renewable capacity by 2030 while maintaining forest preservation pledges.”