Lilly pads have wide disc shaped leaves that float lightly on the water like a pontoon boat, form beautifully following function, allowing them to gather sunlight all day without fighting for space like their landlocked cousins. The water intensifies the sunlight that is gathered up by the leaves, which slowly rotate to match the motion of the sun as it arcs across the sky. So not surprisingly, lilly pads were the inspiration behind the innovative design by the Scottish architecture firm ZM Architecture in a brilliant proposal to provide solar power to the city of Glasgow, Scotland.

Ranging in size from 15 ft to 45 ft in diameter, so even on cloudy days these giant floating solar cells would take advantage of the open space of the River Clyde in Glasgow, to generate energy for the city while also stimulating urban riverfront activity. (more…)

Courtesy of Cascade Engineering

The Swift Wind Turbine was developed by Renewable Devices in Scotland. With
installations worldwide, this design icon has been quietly generating clean energy
for homeowners, community groups, and commercial customers, for over four years

* Quiet, vibration-free rooftop operation
* Simple installation
* Safe, efficient and autonomous operation
* Visually appealing design
* Sustain, harm neutral design – allowing the Swift to become carbon and energy
positive within four years
* Zoning – operates below maximum noise levels and eliminates the pole fall height
restrictions

The Swift turbine is mounted on an aluminum mast with a minimum blade-roof clearance of (more…)