Solar Sculpture by World-Renowned Artist at Pacific Science Center Powered by Silicon Energy

21 August 2013

Exotic, dynamic, and solar powered - the new Sonic Bloom installation by world-renowned artist Dan Corson seeks to create curiosity and educate visitors about solar electricity generation. Sonic Bloom features custom, locally made Silicon Energy photovoltaic (PV) modules.

Sonic Bloom is an interactive bouquet of five towering sunflowers up to 33 feet tall, each covered in stamens of single mono-crystalline cell, double-glass solar PV, 4 watt mini-modules manufactured in Washington State by Silicon Energy. Sonic Bloom is a fun and beautiful display of PV-powered sunflowers with petals reaching 20 feet across.

The sunflowers capture sunlight during the day, which is used to light them at night. Children can observe the impact of clouds, sun position, and shading on each of the sunflowers' solar energy production in real time at an interpretive kiosk. Each sunflower is oriented at slightly different angles to highlight the photovoltaic effect as the sun progresses through the sky.

The artist, Dan Corson, is nationally recognized for his playful large-scale outdoor sculptures incorporating a variety of materials, and masterfully integrating the use of light.

Dan chose Silicon Energy to provide the solar PV modules based on its reputation for manufacturing high quality, durable, yet beautiful, double glass solar PV modules that are more resistant to environmental conditions than a standard module. Dan is pleased to showcase a locally produced solar solution, and support the growing renewable energy manufacturing community in the Pacific Northwest.

Sonic Bloom is funded by Seattle City Light's Green Up program, which allocates a portion of its funds to generate interest in renewable energy. Silicon Energy is honored to be a part of this creative collaboration between the Utility, the Pacific Science Center, and the artist to deliver a colorful exhibit that engages visitors, inspiring them to understand how solar energy works.

Silicon Energy's manufacturing facility is uniquely set up to produce the custom form factor, a single cell double-glass solar PV module. The company's engineering and production teams enjoyed the challenge of scaling down the unique properties of Silicon Energy's product to the Sonic Bloom project requirements, with each module delivering 1/49th of the power of a standard module.

"We are pleased to be part of this innovative project that educates the public on how well solar works in Seattle," said Silicon Energy president Gary Shaver. "We applaud Dan Corson's sculptural interpretation of a solar PV learning exhibit that delights it visitors."

The exhibit will be on display year-round, 24 hours a day, just outside of the Boeing IMAX Theater.