Glasgow Exploring Solar Panel Lily Pads On River Clyde

How have you been saving the world lately? I’m not a “green” guy, but I do have a keen interest in technology like solar panels for home use. I could even be persuaded to buy an alternate fuel vehicle, as long as I have somewhere to refuel. And it appears Glasgow, Scotland also has more than a passing fondness for alternate power sources. ZM Architecture’s design concept of lily shaped solar panel discs floating on the River Clyde won the International Design Awards Land and Sea Competition.

Glasgow is now looking at the design and plan to put a test run of the lily pads into use. ZM Architecture is ready to work with them on a small scale version along with the Science Centre. The pads themselves would be tethered to the land, and would feed power into the grid. Additionally small motors would rotate each pad so that it receives maximum sun exposure.

A waterway is the perfect location for a solar panel. The energy of the sun would be focused by the water. The problem has been one of aesthetic, and whether we’d cause more harm than good by disturbing nature. We’ll see how it goes if the Glasgow city council agrees to allow the pilot version to begin operation.