In a world filled with countless rectangular solar panels, Smartflower is the rare novel solar product. Part energy system, part industrial art installation, it’s essentially a huge flower constructed of custom solar modules that opens its “petals” and autonomously tracks the sun all day long before closing at sunset.
Smartflower was invented in Vienna in 2014, and a few years later current company CEO James Gordon, who had worked for decades in the energy industry, saw a video online of the system operating. He booked a flight to Austria to meet with the company and wound up acquiring the distribution rights for Smartflower in the Americas. A couple of years later Gordon bought the entire company and moved it to Boston.
“I thought it was such a unique and different product and aesthetically beautiful,” Gordon told me. “The product itself was inspired by biomimicry; looking at a sunflower and how it opens as the sun rises and points the petals to the sun and follows the sun across the sky and then the petals close for the evening.”
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What is Smartflower solar?
Smartflower isn’t a science fair solar project. It’s a large solar robot that Gordon says can generate up to 6,500 kilowatt-hours per year and look good doing it. Most of Smartflower’s customers are commercial or institutional consumers, but the company also works increasingly with homeowners who are interested in either a grid-tied or off-grid setup.
How is Smartflower different from traditional solar panels?
A quick glance at Smartflower makes it clear how different this solar sculpture is from the solar panel systems we’re used to seeing on rooftops or ground-mounted arrays. Aside from its looks, its dual-axis tracking capability allows Smartflower to generate up to 40% more energy than typical fixed solar panels, Gordon said.
Although it may seem like a more complex piece of equipment, and truly is in many ways, Smartflower comes ready to connect to the grid or to your off-grid setup in just a few steps.
So far, Smartflower has been popular for commercial projects. Gordon says they are often used by companies wanting to showcase their commitment to sustainability. Smartflowers have also been deployed for off-grid uses, including for a whale watching center in remote Quebec.
Smartflower closes when the sun goes down.
How much do Smartflower panels cost?
The base Smartflower itself is $39,950 plus installation and shipping charges, and the Smartflower Plus is $65,500 plus shipping and installation. Installation costs vary by difficulty and complexity of each setup, ranging from roughly $3,000 to $7,000, according to Gordon.
If we consider the price per watt for new solar systems is generally in the $3 to $4 dollar range in 2023 according to national estimates, then a Smartflower system costs between three and four times as much as conventional rooftop solar. And that’s with the 40% bump in energy production from Smartflower’s dual-axis tracking already factored in.
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What financing options does Smartflower offer?
Smartflower customers are typically able to cut a check for the system, but the company has recently launched an equipment financing program for the commercial market and is looking to implement a residential financing program in the next 12 to 24 months. Gordon said it could be possible to do one-off financing for homeowners right now in some cases.
Does Smartflower operate in my state? How do I order?
Smartflower is available for installation almost anywhere in North America.
Gordon says the company is working to expand its network of installers, but will work to find an installer anywhere it doesn’t already have one trained.
The ordering process is as simple as visiting the company website and contacting them. Expect more personalized customer service than you would likely receive elsewhere in the solar industry.
Due to the plug-and-play nature of the system, anticipate a much smoother and shorter purchase and installation process than you might experience with a residential rooftop system. You’ll still need to check on needed permits and permission to operate from your utility for a grid-tied system.
Is Smartflower the best choice?
Before considering any solar system, be sure to shop around, get multiple quotes and do your due diligence to ensure you have a good sense of what’s out there and how Smartflower is situated in a market full of many, many options. Also remember that CNET does not directly test any of the equipment mentioned in this or other solar equipment reviews. We have not gone through the ordering process with Smartflower or other solar companies.
Smartflower isn’t going to be the best choice for most people interested in going solar, which Gordon acknowledges. If you’re interested in making a statement with your solar system and perhaps inspiring others to learn more about solar, it might make sense for you. The equipment that makes up a Smartflower, while not the most widely used in the industry, does the job well. The system is one-of-a-kind, super efficient and can be hooked up by your local electrician in just a few hours. But keep in mind, you’ll be paying well above the market price for solar power for a 1,600-pound autonomous sun-tracking robot with a two-year warranty. That’s just not going to be for everyone.
The basic Smartflower 2.5 kilowatt system costs $39,950 plus shipping and installation costs.
A Smartflower Plus system with integrated 11-kilowatt battery is $65,500 plus shipping and installation costs.
