When you hear the words ‘solar power,’ what comes to mind? Some people might picture buildings with solar panels, new electric cars, or even solar accessories like rechargeable power banks for smartphones.
But did you know that solar power has also become important to the art world? For decades, environmentally conscious sculptors, painters, and architects have been using solar technology to intensify discussions about climate change.
Unique pieces, like Australia’s 15-metre-tall solar tree and Sweden’s ‘Solar Egg’, are created as more than just expressions of creativity. They’re designed to get us talking about how we can save our planet.
Learn more about the top 5 solar-powered art installations with Project Solar.
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Solar Tree (Sydney, Australia)
Australia’s one-of-a-kind Solar Tree is an unforgettable fusion of art and renewable technology. Designed by renowned artist Ross Lovegrove, the sculpture functions as a streetlight. Dig deeper, and you’ll find a symbol of sustainable urban design.
The structure features a series of ‘branches’ that support photovoltaic panels. During the day, these panels collect solar energy, and at night, this stored energy powers the LED lights.
Ross Lovegrove used aluminium for the head and joints, iron for the pole, and plastic for the head cover, but the main element of the sculpture is made from modern solar panels.
Standing at an impressive height of 15 metres, this imposing art installation was designed to promote a way of city life that’s both social and sustainable.
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Solar Egg (Kiruna, Sweden)
Perhaps the strangest piece of art on our list, Sweden’s ‘Solar Egg’ is exactly as it sounds. This egg-shaped sauna was created by the artistic duo Bigert & Bergström on behalf of Swedish housing association, Riksbyggen.
At first glance, you’ll notice the egg’s highly reflective gold steel exterior, made up of 69 separate solar panels. Its interior, decorated with plywood, is 4 metres wide and can accommodate up to eight people.
Visitors can then warm up from the heat provided by its heart-shaped, wood-fired burner! Located in the Swedish town of Kiruna, the Solar Egg is closely tied to Kiruna’s history.
The town has long been dependent on iron ore mining, the effects of which have caused gradual structural instability in the ground.
As such, the creators of the Solar Egg wanted it to represent renewal for a town which must now be physically moved to a new location because of detrimental environmental practices.
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Prismatic Cloud (Los Angeles, USA)
Another interactive art piece, the Prismatic Cloud, is an interactive solar-powered installation in Los Angeles, USA. It features over 1,000 solar-powered prisms suspended within a structural framework.
Artist Sarah Hall designed the artwork so that it would refract sunlight into unique patterns throughout the day. As natural light shifts, the installation produces a beautiful display that reacts to human movement.
When viewers can engage with the artwork, Hall hopes that it will also encourage discussion. The Prismatic Cloud is a wonderful demonstration of how the artistic potential of solar can get people talking.
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We Are All Connected (West Midlands, UK)
In September 2024, the Art and Energy Collective unveiled We Are All Connected. It’s a solar-powered piece of art commissioned by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to celebrate the launch of the region’s new energy strategy.
The main feature is a reclaimed solar panel inscribed with conversations between the artistic troupe and local energy sector professionals. The solar panel charges a battery that powers the installation’s energy-efficient LEDs.
By using a reclaimed solar panel, the Art and Energy Collective is highlighting the potential for repurposing functional, decommissioned solar technology. Ultimately, the artwork draws attention to issues of energy wastage.
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SunFlowers (Austin, USA)
SunFlowers, a project conceived by artists Mags Harries and Lajos Héder in 2009, is the largest solar art installation on our list. This public artwork comprises 15 towering flower-like structures, each equipped with functioning photovoltaic panels.
By day, these sunflowers collect sunlight, and at night, they light up the area with a blue glow. As with all of these projects, SunFlowers was created to engage the public in conversations about the vast potential of solar technologies.
The SunFlowers, the Solar Tree and the Solar Egg are just a handful of ways the art world and its artists showcase commitment to environmental consciousness.
Ready to Join the Solar Takeover?
If any of the art installations mentioned today have struck a chord, we encourage you to join the solar takeover today. Domestic and commercial solar installations are some of the most cost-efficient, low-maintenance ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
With Project Solar’s cutting-edge technology (and experienced installers), we can get your PV system up and running in no time. Contact us to learn more about our services.