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sunflower solar panel cost

Smartflower Solar Panel Review: Loaded With Features

Each year, exciting new technologies are available for all of us to marvel at and consider buying. In 2017, the Smartflower™ solar automation program debuted, and it is a really innovative and artistic application of solar energy. It's a sun-tracking, self-cleaning, power generating "blossom" for your residence.

In this blog, we will review the elements of this Smartflower solar tracker. We will also analyze its key features, setup procedure, costs, savings, and how it stacks up against conventional solar power systems

What is the Smartflower solar system?

The Smartflower is a combination of solar panels and art. It follows the theme begun with the Tesla solar roof launching, producing more beautiful solar panels.

Much like a real flower, the system exerts its petal-panels after the sun rises. The Smartflower then takes its petals toward the sunlight at a 90-degree angle and almost immediately starts to create renewable energy. This is the reason the Smartflower is also called the"solar flower."

Thanks to the dual-axis tracking system, the blossom tracks the sun throughout the day - generating upwards of 40% more clean energy than conventional solar panels.

At sunset, the petals itself retract until the following morning. The Smartflower will even automatically retract the petals in high winds over 30 mph. In fact, the device is capable of resisting hurricane-force winds.

How big is a Smartflower solar array?

When the petals are completely extended, the Smartflower is about 16 feet in diameter. The whole structure is approximately 200 square feet - about the size of a small one-car garage.

Key features Of this Smartflower system

The system's exceptional elevated design allows the solar panels to cool naturally; air moves behind every "petal" to provide natural cooling. This contributes to a rise in each panel's overall productivity by around 10 percent.

The Smartflower mechanically self-cleans each panel each time it closes or opens. Long brushes attached to the bottom of each petal's external edge sweep the panel under it when in motion. This smart feature may also enhance production by up to two percent.

Installation Procedure for your Smartflower Solar Unit

smartflower solar review

For warranties to apply and ensure proper installation, a Smartflower Solar™ licensed technician must install each unit, despite being completely assembled before shipping, as the machine's positioning may require using a large forklift or crane.

Additionally, connecting the device to your home's electrical supply system requires a certified electrician's skills. You'll likely need to dig a trench from your Smartflower to your house to run wires.

You may want to attach your Smartflower to a concrete slab or floor screw system for support. You do not need to bother about these things when setting up fixed solar panels on a roof. Initial programming also requires the skills of a certified tech.

Your authorized Smartflower dealer will have the ability to investigate and obtain any permits required to meet any setbacks and other requirements.

How much Does the Smartflower price compared to regular solar panels?

Cost per watt is the ideal way to compare prices between different solar systems? The Smartflower prices between $25,000 to $30,000, with the average price being around $27,000.

This is approximately $10 per watt or $10,000 per kilowatt. Remember, since the Smartflower solar system traces the sun, its 2.5kW of solar cells has a similar output as 4kW of a fixed mounted solar system. This brings the number down to a successful $6.50 per watt, or $6,500 per kilowatt.

After subtracting the 26% solar tax credit, Sunflower's average cost comes down to about $20,000. Assuming their 2.5kW unit generates the exact same as 4kw of the traditional solar PV system, the cost is effective $5 percent watt or $5,000 per kilowatt.

By comparison, a traditional 4kW rooftop solar power system costs about $10,000, or $2,250 per kilowatt. That is about half the price of this Smartflower system.

Both kinds of solar panel installation give 25-year warranties

Is the Smartflower worth it?

When asking this question, it depends on which sort of person you are and everything you might be seeking to get by setting up a Smartflower system.

This piece of technology is a conversation point. Also, it is a work of art. If you are a practical, budget-minded consumer, the Smartflower does not make a lot of sense.

However, if you get a sizable chunk of disposable income, are trying to grab a little attention, and need to inspire people to do it while tastefully adding to a property's aesthetics, then definitely, the Smartflower is worthy of your consideration.

How much electricity does every Smartflower unit generate?

A Smartflower generally produces between 3,400 and 6,200 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually, based on its location.

Sunny Climates will create more electricity than ponds getting less sun. Typically, a Smartflower system produces about 4,000 kWh annually, roughly half of the typical American home's yearly electricity consumption.

What's Smartflower's energy generation compared to conventional solar panels?

Like a rooftop solar system, the quantity of solar energy produced each year is based upon the location and roof direction. Smartflower provided an output expectancy map on their site, showing how much power you can expect to escape the 2.5kW arrays.

How much money can I save with the Smartflower system?

While you can receive more solar installed for less using a conventional photovoltaic system, the Smartflower can save you a lot of money during the next 25 years.

With 5,510 kWh of electricity produced annually in Los Angeles, the Solarflower competes to output a 4kW rooftop solar system. An average cost of electricity of $.20/kwh amounts to annual savings of over $10,000.

What's Smartflower Plus?

The Smartflower Plus is the same system featuring a solar-powered integrated battery and inverter, which could operate either a hybrid or a completely independent off-grid solar system.

The Smartflower Plus comes in two versions, which provide either 4.6 kWh or 13.8 kWh of electricity storage. The larger size is quite similar concerning energy storage to the Tesla Powerwall two.

Although the system is relatively expensive, it will work. They've chosen to incorporate excellent electronics.

Can I charge My electric car with the solar Smartflower?

Yes, you can use the energy generated from your smartflower to charge your electric car. Smartflower has also announced a new product called the Smartflower EV, a standard Smartflower with a plug-in interface for your EV.

Final Thoughts On The Smartflower System

Aesthetically, The Smartflower is a stunning, portable, and innovative technology. The machine is available in eight different colors and can be installed in under an hour. If homeowners finally move, they could simply take the system together.

The Smartflower may also be a fantastic alternative if you are not concerned with fulfilling 100% of your home's electrical needs.

Like all big purchases, compare several quotes from solar Installers before making any decision. With its extraordinary construction and perfectly synchronized components, Smartflower only may be fueling the winds of change for the solar sector.

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About the Author David Roberts

I'm a Mechanical Engineer who's obsessed with solar energy and sustainable living.

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