Solar panels have always been synonymous with functionality over aesthetics. Singapore designers had a different idea. In Gardens by the Bay, they created the world's first vertical photovoltaic system that makes you want to look at it all day.
Eighteen metal super trees up to 50 meters tall not only produce 67.000 kWh per year, but do so with an elegance that is inspiring architects and urban planners around the world. Proof that solar energy can be as efficient as it is spectacular.
The dawn of vertical photovoltaics
Gardens by the Bay is much more than an urban park. These 105 hectares in the heart of Singapore are home to the first large-scale implementation of vertical photovoltaics integrated into architectureThe 18 super trees, 25-50 metres tall, are vertical gardens equipped with solar panels perfectly camouflaged in the metal structure of their foliage.
The project, realized in 2012 by Grant Associates, demonstrates how vertical photovoltaics can overcome the aesthetic limits of traditional systems. Eleven of the eighteen structures are equipped with photovoltaic cells which convert solar radiation into 67.000 kWh per year, enough energy to power hundreds of homes.
How Supertree Vertical Photovoltaics Works
The brilliance of the system lies in its integration. The solar panels are not simply “glued” to the structures, but are part of the architectural design. The photovoltaic cells are strategically placed on the upper surface of the Supertrees, capturing direct solar radiation throughout the day.
Vertical photovoltaic technology used also exploits the light reflected from surrounding surfaces, increasing overall energy efficiency. As highlighted in the study on sustainable systems of the park, the energy produced not only powers the night-time lighting of the trees themselves, but also contributes to the energy needs of the adjacent bioclimatic greenhouses.
The Evolution of Vertical Photovoltaics in 2025
Singapore’s success is inspiring a new generation of solar innovation. As we point out in this article, emerging technologies include thin-film solar cells, bifacial systems and perovskite-silicon tandem cells that could reach efficiencies greater than 33%.
Pilot projects in Germany are testing bifacial vertical photovoltaic on agricultural land, while in Japan they are developing spherical cells capable of capturing light from every angle.
The Future of Urban Vertical Photovoltaics
Singapore's super trees have proven that Vertical photovoltaics can transform the urban landscape without compromising its beauty. According to the forecasts for 2025, we will see more and more projects integrating solar energy into facades, transparent windows and innovative architectural structures.
The Singaporean experiment has paved the way for a new concept of urban energy. No more hidden panels on roofs, but vertical photovoltaic that becomes a decorative element and functional at the same time. An approach that could finally reconcile sustainability and aesthetics in our cities of the future.
