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Entity examines some stylish solar panel designs.

Have you noticed that more and more roofs are decked out with solar panels lately? The benefits of solar panels – less energy consumption, cheaper electricity bills and a healthier world – are vast.

However, there is one fatal flaw in implementing solar panels in your home – they aren’t that stylish. Of course, we all love Mother Earth, but it would be so much easier to invest in solar power if it looked as beautiful as it works. Thankfully, designers have recently been adding their artistic touch to the solar world.

Here is a collection of some amazing solar panel design concepts, ordered from large to small, to fit your life and style.

1 Swedish Abode

Inhabitant writes that the student-designed eco-home called HALO is covered in a stylishly asymmetrical layer of solar cells. Harnessing the sun, these cells provide power for the building. The 25 Chalmers University of Technology students who designed the building made sure common areas in the house were plentiful to combat the “growing trend of social isolation” in the world.

2 Solar Forest

Architects have begun to integrate a more organic shape into their solar paneled designs. (It’s called green energy after all.) Designer Neville Mars created an outline for a thicket of artificial trees with “photovoltaic leaves” on the top of each trunk. The energy created by these leaves would be used to charge electric cars below the perennial apparatus.

Another design by ZGF Architects is a similar tree design with small solar panels laid out resembling leaves. The creation, called the Civic Plaza, is located in the United Kingdom. We’re still waiting on one over here in the United States.

3 Tiny Home EcoCapsule

This egg-shaped residence is perfect for you off-gridders looking for an almost spherical home. Designed by Nice Architects, the home’s amenities include, “a warm bed, running water and a hot meal.” It’s big enough for you and bae and uses energy efficiently. Even better, the building is portable and can be shipped or towed anywhere in the world. Sounds like the ideal setup, don’t you think?

4 Shady Solar Umbrellas

What could be better than lounging on vacation, mojito in hand, scoping hotties while you’re sitting comfortably in the shade? Well, what if that shade was being created by a solar powered umbrella?

You heard right. ZON Technology, SolProX and others have all created diverse variations of a solar powered umbrella, some of which even include a USB charger. You can sip a mojito, soak up your surroundings and send Snapchats to your friends without having to worry about your phone dying. Can we get a “Yes, please”?

5 Glowing Planter

If your garden or foyer is looking a little bland, brighten it up with some glowing pots for your plants. Usually white during the day, these solar powered planters light up different colors at night, seamlessly transitioning the aesthetic of your home from day to night. (This is for all you techno-lovers who like to garden on the weekends. We got you.)

6 Luminescent Bricks

Upgrade your brick entryway by replacing some of the stones with solar powered luminescent bricks. Not only are they great for creating pathways, they’re also a super easy way to integrate solar power into your life. If you’re feeling adventurous, buy a bunch and illuminate your entire home driveway!

7 Sunny Spanish Tiles

If you’re building a home or planning on upgrading your roof anytime soon, consider using solar powered Spanish tiles. These obscurely shaped solar panels look absolutely elegant. Without the droll look of conventional flat solar panels, Spanish tile panels are the environmentally conscious architect’s dream. (The product Solé Power Tiles have already been approved for use in California, so get on it!)

Though there are plenty of solar powered gadgets on the market, these design oriented artistic creations are absolutely worth investing. Integrating solar panels into the architecture of homes and public spaces is a step in the right direction for the world. Hopefully we can all live in self-sufficient solar powered homes one day! And hopefully they have glam glowing planters, too.

Edited by Ellena Kilgallon
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