This Solarflora, a recently invented, fully functional solar generator manufactured locally by Nectar Design, is seen after being installed outside of the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center in February. Photo courtesy of Nectar Design.
2:45pm | The Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center is now the home of a new, state-of-the-art, fully functional solar generator in the artistic design of a tree.
At first sight, the illuminated “tree” appears to be an art installation. But there is much more at work than simple aesthetic design in this new invention dreamed up and created right here in Long Beach.
The Solarflora was manufactured locally by Long Beach-based Nectar Design and was installed in February, according to information provided by Nectar Design’s Bob Westal. It blends solar energy panels into outdoor public spaces by creating an aesthetically pleasing medium for mounting solar panels in plain view.
The generator can house up to four solar panels and supply as much as 1.2 kilowatt hours per day while providing nighttime illumination, Westal said. It also features outlets located near seating for charging electronic items such as laptops, phones, Segways and electric bicycles.
The brainchild of Nectar Design founder and Long Beach resident Darren Saravis, the eye-pleasing solar generator is intended for eventual mass production, Westal said.
“We’re absolutely delighted that the Solarflora is now operational at one of our great city’s most prominent and exciting public spaces,” Saravis said in a statement.
An engineer, artist, entrepreneur and musician, Sararvs is featured in the April issue of O, The Oprah Magazine.
“If the use of solar energy is to become as commonplace as fossil fuels are now, its collection must be integrated into daily life,” he continued.
The solar energy generating public art sculpture, which was donated to the city by Saravis, was transplanted from its former home at the Educational Urban Farm at 15th Street and Long Beach Boulevard.
Nectar Design believes the generator’s installation in front of the convention center is in line with the numerous sustainability efforts of the Long Beach Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
The center was one of the first convention centers in the nation to “go green,” installing several years ago a 750 killowatt solar energy generating system via solar panels on its roof. It is one of the largest public facility solar panel installations on the West Coast, generating more than 1 million kilowatt hours of pollution-free electricity annually, according to information found on the city’s website.
The new invention, for which design patents have been issued and are pending, is intended for use at such locations as outdoor malls, museums, festivals, business complexes, universities, sidewalks, Westal said.
Additional information on the Solarflora can be obtained by clicking here.
This Solarflora, a recently invented, fully functional solar generator manufactured locally by Nectar Design, was recently installed outside of the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center. Photo courtesy of Nectar Design.
A crew is seen installing the Solarflora solar energy generator on the patio of the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center on Feb. 26. Photo by Daniel DeBoom.
Solarflora inventor and creator Darren Saravis, second from right, assists a crew as they install the public art piece and solar energy generator outside the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center on Feb. 26. Saravis donated the Solarflora, which was formerly located at the Educational Urban Farm at 15th Street and Long Beach Boulevard, to the city. Photo by Daniel DeBoom.
This plaque situated adjacent to the Solarflora installation on the patio of the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center offers a brief explanation of the solar-paneled sculpture. Photo by Daniel DeBoom.