History
smartflower’s tagline – “the world’s first all-in-one solar system”[1] – neatly summarizes the product’s offering and key differentiator.
In 2010, the three founders of smartflower energy technology GmbH were living in Austria and brainstorming ways to circumvent the myriad issues plaguing the solar energy market. They knew many prospective users of clean energy were uninspired by the appearance of classic rooftop solar panels. These potential consumers were also unlikely to want to undergo the multi-part, multiday installation process.[2]
While rooftop-mounted panels are more common than ground-mounted arrays, their feasibility can be restricted by roof type, angle, and direction. Moreover, they require a roof that is expected to last at least 20 years – meaning that a solar system purchaser might need to replace his or her roof before the panel installation process can even begin.[3]
With an eye toward creating a system to solve these problems, founder Alexander Swatek and his two co-founders drew the concept for smartflower on a napkin one evening. They paid careful attention to the device’s aesthetic, knowing their end result would need to be characterized by both creativity and convenience.
The outcome – smartflower – lives up to its name, both in terms of the floral arrangement of its photovoltaic panels and its ability to autonomously adjust its panels on two axes to ensure maximal solar energy absorption.
Several years after the initial sketch, energy industry influencer Jim Gordon hopped on a plane to Austria after spotting a picture of smartflower online. His eagerness to establish a relationship with its company led to the formation of SmartFlower North America, where Gordon is now CEO.
Now the distributor for smartflower energy technology GmbH, SmartFlower North America assists homeowners, businesses, and municipalities throughout the smartflower procurement process. After researching and assisting the customer in securing the necessary permits,[4] smartflower’s representatives conduct a property analysis to ascertain the optimal location for the device. In keeping with its founders’ intentions, smartflower then arrives fully assembled and ready for installation by a certified smartflower technician. It requires 16 x 16 x 16 feet of space for operation and can begin generating electricity within hours of installation. As of February 2018, more than 1,000 smartflower units have been installed worldwide.[5]
smartflower images are courtesy of SmartFlower North America, and are used with permission.
[1] “Smartflower – the World’s First All-in-One Solar System.” Smartflower Pacific, https://www.smartflowerpacific.com/downloads/brochure.pdf. (PDF Brochure)
[2] SmartFlower Solar: The Back Story. SmartFlower North America, 24 Aug. 2017, smartflowersolar.com/blog/smartflower-solar-back-story/.
[3] Darcey, Melissa. “Ground vs. Rooftop-Mounted Solar Panels.” Solar Power Authority, 1 Sept. 2016, www.solarpowerauthority.com/ground-mounted-versus-rooftop-mounted-solar-panels/.
[4] “Frequently Asked Questions.” SmartFlower North America. (PDF File)
[5] “SmartFlower North America Presents A Continuing Education Program.” SmartFlower North America, Mar. 2018. (PowerPoint Presentation)
