Solar sunflowers at Austin's Mueller development

mueller_solar_flower_obverse.jpg

Austin's new development at the site of the old Robert Mueller airport includes a small solar farm consisting of fifteen of these lovely blue "solar sunflower" collectors, designed by Cambridge's Harries/Héder Collaborative, whose concept was selected from a pool of 37 applicants to Austin's Art in Public Places program. Details of the project are available here. The collectors, which have been installed but aren't yet active, will collect energy during the day and release it at night as light for the nearby hike-and-bike trail.

mueller_solar_flower_reverse.jpg


Recent Entries

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: Craig on July 13, 2009 at 8:59 AM

Interesting

What is really funny about this "environmental" installation is that is sits next to the frontage road which was re-directed to force you to drive through the shopping center instead of a normal route which would take you to your cross street.

That little trick by the developer (clearly designed to encourage additional shopping) will probably use more energy in a day than those solar cells will produce in their lifetime.


Posted by: Doug on July 13, 2009 at 9:24 AM

Vandalism

Here comes the hoodlums to "teach this thing a lesson" in 3..2...1.


Posted by: D on July 14, 2009 at 10:41 AM

Anything that lines I35 in Austin is far from being considered "art"


Posted by: Ryango on July 14, 2009 at 12:38 PM

the point?

Clearly, this design does not maximize energy collection, so maybe the point is art? The path is badly laid out for bikes, and being gravel, shouldn't be called a bike path at all. As a recreational walking path... well, it is on the side of I35, which is not a pleasant place to walk, and Ive never seen anyone walking here. So what is the point of these things?

To say they are just decoration is too generous, as they imply something they do not deliver; sustainability. The only thing they sustain are path lights on a poorly designed trail.

What a bunch of expensive fluff, pasted to the side of the latest big-box strip mall. I predict that in the next decade, a new conservative movement will eviscerate the left for ridiculous projects like this.


Posted by: Sean Michael Ragan on July 14, 2009 at 1:17 PM

I think they're pretty. That's why I posted them. :)


Posted by: jidas on July 31, 2009 at 7:05 AM

what happened

I understand only 3 of them "lit up" last night. Was there technical problems?? Anyone know who installed the soloar panels??


Posted by: Anonymous on November 8, 2009 at 4:28 PM

INTERESTING - but not correct.

TxDoT was the cause of the rerouting, not the developer. It sucks, but kept the 51st Street/Cameron Road intersection from failing. Change may be coming, but don't expect traffic to work anytime before TxDoT redoes IH35 through this area.

And, while I'm not gaga over them, the "Sunflowers" ARE INTERESTING.


Posted by: Green guy on January 22, 2010 at 11:56 AM

installer

SOlar PV installations are not as efficient as some other renewables available. Austin Energy's best kept secret is its solar thermal program. This technology is already financially viable and over 60% efficient. Austin solar


Leave a comment


Subscribe to MAKE!Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.

$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)

Subscribe now


Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out. Make: The risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things... Welcome to Make: Online!


CRAFT Maker Shed Maker Faire MAKE television




Check out more videos from MAKE.

Maker SHED

Connect with MAKE

Be a MAKE fan on Facebook MAKE on Facebook
Visit our Facebook page and become a fan of MAKE!
MAKE on Twitter MAKE on Twitter
Follow our MAKE tweets!
MAKE Flickr Pool MAKE on Flickr
Join our MAKE Flickr Pool!
    make_tips on Twitter



    MAKE Archives

    Make: Money

    Make: Science Room
    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Make: Online editors and authors!

    Gareth BranwynGareth Branwyn
    Editor-in-Chief


    Phillip TorronePhillip Torrone
    Senior Editor
    | Web | Twitter


    Becky SternBecky Stern
    Associate Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Marc de VinckMarc de Vinck
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    John ParkJohn Park
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Sean RaganSean Ragan
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Matt MetsMatt Mets
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    Dale DoughertyDale Dougherty
    Editor & Publisher
    | Twitter


    Shawn ConnallyShawn Connally
    Managing Editor
    | Twitter


    Goli MohammadiGoli Mohammadi
    Associate Managing Editor

    Kip KayKip Kay
    Weekend Projects
    | AIM | Twitter


    Collin CunninghamCollin Cunningham
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter

    Adam FlahertyAdam Flaherty
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    John BaichtalJohn Baichtal
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter



    More contributors: Mark Frauenfelder (Editor-in-Chief, MAKE magazine), Kipp Bradford (Technical Consultant/Writer), Chris Connors (Education), Diana Eng (Guest Author), Peter Horvath (Intern), Brian Jepson (O'Reilly Media), Robert Bruce Thompson (Science Room)

    Suggest a Site!

    Advertise here with FM.

    Why advertise on MAKE?
    Read what folks are saying about us!

    Click here to advertise on MAKE!



    Current Podcast

    itunesdl.gif Behind the Scenes at MAKE and CRAFT In January, many of the remote MAKE/CRAFT team members (myself included) convened at the Maker Media headquarters at O'Reilly Media in Sebastopol, California. Take a look behind the scenes of your favorite DIY publications as Goli Mohammadi gives us... More...

    Get the Make: Online sent via email
    Enter your email to receive Make: Online each day:



    Sign up for the Make: Newsletter

    Our Make: Newsletter covers news from maker Media, has original columns, Shed deals, and more! You can also read the archives of past issues.


     



    MAKE Fascination video series brought to you by Dow

    Make: Education
    MAKE: en Español MAKE: Japan
    Important please read


    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Recent Posts from the Craft: Blog