A new study suggests that solar trees vertical, tree-like structures with panels branching upward could deliver the same amount of power as conventional solar farms without destroying forests. Researchers say this design could protect biodiversity while meeting renewable energy goals.
Why Trees Beat Flat Panels
Conventional solar farms demand cleared land, often leading to deforestation. In South Korea, forest loss linked to solar projects surged from 529 hectares in 2016 to 2,443 hectares in 2018. Researcher Dan-Bi Um of the Korea Maritime Institute found that solar trees could change that.
Unlike flat-panel farms that strip entire landscapes, solar trees are installed vertically, letting sunlight filter through to plants below. In simulations using satellite imagery, the team showed that solar trees preserved 99% of forest cover, compared with just 2% left standing after flat panels were installed. Despite this, the trees still generated equal amounts of power.
Power Without Clearcuts
The study modeled a coastal forest where solar farms had already replaced natural cover. By placing solar trees at 20-meter intervals along hiking trails and forest edges, researchers found that 63 trees could provide one megawatt of power the same output as a conventional array.
Solar trees also have urban benefits. They can shade sidewalks, cars, and public spaces while generating electricity, with some designs offering charging stations for electric vehicles. Their cooling effect may also help fight dangerous heat waves in cities.
Promise and Challenges
Solar trees are not entirely new. South Korea installed one outside its National Assembly in 2017, and India’s CSIR-CMERI developed what it calls the world’s largest solar tree, producing 11,500 kilowatt-hours annually. But until now, most research focused on single prototypes, not entire systems compared with solar farms.
The challenge is cost. Solar trees are more expensive to install and not widely manufactured, and shading between branches can reduce efficiency. Newer models, including sunflower-tracking and spiral designs, are addressing these issues. Researchers say subsidies from governments or climate funds may be needed to encourage wider adoption.
Still, the potential is clear. In countries with high land costs like South Korea, solar trees could be cheaper in the long run by using less ground space. And unlike traditional solar farms, they allow people to keep walking forest trails, birdwatching, or resting in the shade while still generating clean energy.