There are some awesome bridge designs that are floating around these days and the good thing about them is that they are trying to have minimal impact on their surroundings. But designers of the tomorrow’s world are not just happy with keeping the planet safe and taking as little as possible from it, but wish to give something back. In come projects like the ‘Solar Cloud’, which tap into existing structures to create new avenues for harnessing clean energy.
The Solar Cloud is a concept bridge that not only ensures that it blends into the environment around with its innovative design, but also offers a great opportunity to tap into solar power. Instead of letting the top of the bridge go to waste, there is a sort of solar-vegetation roof that allows for collection of solar energy through photovoltaic panels. The ‘cloud-like’ covering on top holds solar panels that can generate enough energy for needs of the bridge.
Lighting on the bridge is provided by OLED devices that use this solar power. Excess power generated can be used elsewhere as well. Apart from the main structure, there is another parallel surface under the bridge that houses vegetation and vantage points for visitors.
Offering both sustainable energy options and also an innovative way to build bridges for the future, Solar Cloud, designed by Carlos Lafi and Belkis Espinal Lafi, is a concept worth taking a look at. Maybe with a few modifications and further additions, designs like this could be brought to reality.
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