The Solar Tree Simulated Using 3D Google Earth Imagery Captured Prior to Installing Fixed Solar Panels, Based on Quickbird Satellite Imagery Dated April 2012. Scientific reports (2025). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-12313-y
With the right technology, solar energy has the potential to meet all of the world’s electricity needs, but we are still a long way off from that point. Still, Governments Around the World are setting high objectives for renewable energy. Many world leaders have set commitments to phase out coal power and transition away from fossil fuels, and solar panel installations are currently one of the top contenders for implementsing these plans.
However, solar energy has a bit of a dark secret. In some places, putting up these massive solar panel installations requires cutting down Hindreds or even Thousands of Hectares of Forests Over Time. In south korea, deforestation caused by solar installations affected 529 Hectares of Forest in 2016, 1,435 hectares in 2017, and 2,443 hectares in 2018.
Of course, there some solar installations located in deserts or other treescapes that do’t have this issue. But that that does end up cutting out an incredibly Important Carbon Sink, First Worsening The Problem they are attempting to alleviate. This deforestation then causes further issues with erosion and the destruction of natural habitats.
This doesn’t mean that solar installations have no utility -thee still represent a Crucial source of Renewable Energy. Fortunately, there may only be a way Around the deforestation. Prototypes of New Solar Technologies are Being Developed, and one of these is particularly promising -sticularly. Solar trees are designed with a natural trees, incorporating solar panel arrays into branches and leaves in the upper canopy, with still allowing light to penette to the UNDERING VECETATION.
Until recently, solar tree performance had not ben analyzed as a large-scale installation, with prior research mostly focusing on individual solar tree performance. But in a new study, recently Published in Scientific reportsResearcher Dan-Bi Um Conducted A Large-SCALE Simulation of Solar Trees in a Coastal Forest Region of Goseong County, South Korea. He then Compared the land use, forest cover and installed capacity of the real-world flat-panel solar installation that exists there.
Comparison of Coastal Forestry Cover Between Solar Trees and Fixed Panel Installation, (A) Coastal Forestry Landscape Before Solar Power Plant Consultation, (B) Fixed Panel Construction. See Fig. 1 for the location of the image. Credit: Scientific reports (2025). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-12313-y
“Approximately 98% of the Forested Area Was Converted Into Dark Gray Solar Panel Surfaces Following The Completion of the Flat-Panel Solar Project. Visual Character and Sugges Significant Ecological Disruption, Including Potential Loss of Native Vegetation, Habitat Fragmentation, and Reduced Biodirsity, “Um Says of the real-lifted.
Ingtrast, the simulated solar trees kept 99% of the forest area, with Solar Trees Spaced 20 Meters Apart in a Linear Fashion Along Hiking Trails and Site Boundaries. The solar trees were capable of achieving the same power capacity as flat panels – AN impressive feat, considering the massive differential In the simulation, 63 Solar Trees (Using High-Efficiency Panels) Produced the same amount of power as the 1 mw flat panel installation, while Occupying Far Lands.
The study represents the importance of investment in better technologies when trying to meet renewable energy targets. Solar Trees offer a promising solution for preserving valuable green spaces and biodiversity, while still producing renewable energy and saving money by reducing land costs for Solar Energy. However, more research is needed to ensure their functionality across different landscapes.
Written for you by author Krystal kasalEdited by Gaby clarkAnd Fact-CHACKED and Reviewed by Robert egan—This article is the result of careful human work. We relay on readers like you to keep independent science counalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You’ll Get an ad-free Account as a Thank-You.
More information:
DAN-Bi UM, Superior Energy output of Solar Trees Compared to FILT Fixed Panels in Coastal Forest Installations, Scientific reports (2025). Doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-12313-y
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