A group called SMIT (Sustainably Minded Interactive Technology) has designed artificial solar leaves that attach to your house and collect solar and wind power. Instead of mounting huge photo voltaic panels to your roof, you can attach these little “leaves” which flutter in the wind and look like climbing ivy. (The tricky thing is, they all have to be wired together!)
It’s an inexpensive way to generate solar and wind power for your home. You don’t get as much power as with the large panels, but you don’t pay as much either. It might be a nice option for a home office or a hot water tank.
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I love this idea! I am going to research it more and possibly try it out this year. What a great idea! I looked at some of the panels SMIT showed and they are so cool.
Interesting sounding but I’d love to see what it looks like. I couldn’t find anything in the links provided.
This page – Grow – shows what the green “leaves” look like. I like these Grow 2, but I think they’re going with the green ones, which seem to flutter more, generating some wind power.
Oh that is really actually beautiful!
It’s cool how so many of these new technologies challenge us to view things differently. A home could be made with “solar leaves” instead of vinyl paneling or fake brick. I like to be different.
Plus, my roof has so many angles that it would be silly to try to put a huge panel on it. These little leaves are more practical.
Can you purchase this yet? I am not finding any sales locations on their website. I sure love this idea and they are very pretty. I wonder what it sounds like in the wind or breeze. Might be very therapeutic.
I think you have to click on the “contact” section and let them know you’re interested. This may be a design idea that isn’t quite in production yet. Or, they’re taking orders. I don’t know. Let us know what you find out!
This is the reply I got from SMIT. So it looks like we are going to get a ‘taste’ by the first of next year for sure. That is so awesome. I attached the reply from them to me.
I cannot wait to learn more from them.
Jean,
Thanks for your inquiry about GROW. We are still testing GROW and anticipate our first version to be available by the end of 2008/beginning of 2009.
Are you an architect or homeowner? Are you looking to use GROW on your home?
Please feel free to sign up for our newsletter at s-m-i-t.com to receive updates about our progress.
Best regards,
-Teresita
–
Teresita B. Cochran
Co-founder, CEO
SMIT – Sustainably Minded Interactive Technology, LLC
63 Flushing Ave.
Unit 195, Building 280, Suite 515
Brooklyn, NY 11205 USA
Tel: 718 399 4452 Fax: 718 399 4285
Mobile: 917 848 9500
Web: http://www.s-m-i-t.com
That is so cool! Thanks for letting us know. I’m going to sign up for their newsletter. It’s exciting that they’re making something that looks nice and generates clean, renewable energy at the same time.