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The Smartflower
Alexandra Tsvetkova
ZOHAL Renewable Energy
Email: [email protected]
This year the spring winds wafted a new Austrian floral species to sunny Dubai – the smartflower! The first
all-in-one smart photovoltaic system of the world, created by the Austrian company smartflower energy
technology, was presented this February during Solar Middle East 2017, part of Middle East Electricity by the
Dubai-based company Zohal Renewable Energy LLC. With easy installation and inspired by actual sunflowers,
this revolutionary state-of- art can generate up to 6 200 kWh yearly from a single unit, depending on the region
you live in.
Smartflower POP was on display at Zohal Renewable Energy LLC stand during
Solar Middle East 2017 in Dubai
Pictures: Courtesy of Zohal
Among all the sophisticated smart features like the sun tracking system, let`s see what really makes a world of
difference here?
For starters, we shall all agree, that the reward in using solar power and having solar panels, installed on your
rooftop is tangible. Moreover, it is a great way to fight the climate change and reduce your carbon footprint.
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Issue 17, May 2017
However, some rooftop solar PV systems can be a headache at times for homeowners, especially when it comes
to position and location. Compared to a standard rooftop PV setup, this system is less intrusive for installation
and maintenance, which makes it perfect also for villas tenants, buildings of “special” architectural and historical
importance, etc. It simply puts pure and clean energy in the hands of households, businesses and governments.
Smartflower comes up with a simplified ground mount installation that can be easily dismounted and
transported conveniently.
Maybe, in the years to come, such smart PV systems will be as common as the hybrid vehicles, but right now
this revolutionary breakthrough stands out big time! Here`s why:
Smartflower easily cleans itself off the dust by unfolding, reducing this way common loses
in energy production. It`s bi-axial tracking system guarantees facing the sun at all times at
90 degrees, which gives you 40% more efficiency and 60% more usable power. The amount of
energy, generated annually from a single POP unit is up to 6, 200 kWh, depending on the region.
Picture: Courtesy of smartflower
At sunrise, smartflower wakes up, fans out its
petal-shaped panels and cleans itself automatically,
preparing to soak in the sun`s rays throughout the
whole day, facing them at 90 degrees and following
the sun like a real sunflower, thanks to its bi-axial
tracking system, so that it can immediately begin
generating energy. It starts capturing and absorbing
energy earlier than the conventional rooftop PV
installation. It is even absorbing the last rays of the
sun, which gives 60% more usable power and direct
utilization. On the other hand, due to its dual tracking
system, the smartflower turns to be 40% more
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efficient comparing to the static regular PV setups,
waiting for the sun to come at their favourable angle.
At sunset, the system closes up automatically.
Efficiency, design and special technology come all
together in an exceptional durability and resistance
of its “petals” to bad weather conditions – strong
winds, for instance. To prevent damage, it folds back
in a rest position, so when the storm calms down, the
system opens up again.
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Not to worry about the maintenance either! Every
time when the system folds and unfolds, the
smartflower cleans itself, removing the dust and
the sand from the panels, allowing them to produce
more electricity. In addition to that, its cooling
system is higher than other installations, because
it`s not facing or leaning against the ground or other
surface, which increases its performance and reduces
common loses by up to 15%.
Above all, its smart energy management system
allows you to harness the generated energy either
from the batteries, the grid or the panels. You can
monitor as well the amount of energy accumulated,
the usage and the direction of this energy. The
smartflower comes in two other handy options:
smartflower POP+, which alongside the production
of electricity, gives you the option for storing it for
a later use and smartflower POP-e, which combines
the all-in-one solar system plus a charging station for
electrical vehicles and mobile devices.
Smartflower POP+ - with power storage
Smartflower POP-e – with a charging station for electrical vehicles
Pictures: Courtesy of smartflower
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Issue 17, May 2017
Smartflower POP is easily installed and operational in
less than two hours, because of the readymade smart
system. All it needs is to be bolted to the ground in
the desired spot. The system`s plug-and-play features
make it operational in no time. Whenever you want
to move out, you just disassemble it and take it with
you to your new home.
Speaking about leading trends, Dubai knows how
to be always on the cutting edge – just recently
Dubai Municipality became proud owner of the first
smartflower in the emirate, celebrating it with an
official ceremony at the municipality headquarters.
The event was honored by H.E. Eng. Hussein Nasser
Lootah, Director-General of Dubai Municipality.
While the demand for alternative sources is constantly
growing, the smartflower tends to easily become one
of the best ways to contribute to the health of the
environment. It has all you need from a system to
generate and store your very own solar energy! The
Smart Solar Technology is surely one of the leading
trends in the Renewable Energy and the smartflower
is definitely the breakthrough this industry needed!
What a better way to set a good example to the
society? To encourage and inspire others to be
creative, curios and always one step ahead?
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We all can`t wait to see what projects will be
smartflower part of! The bar has been raised high.
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Courtesy of Zohal / Official opening ceremony was held on March 1st. The event
was honoured by H.E. Eng. Hussein Nasser Lootah, Director-General of Dubai
Municipality and other guests.
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