This giant solar powered flower has been dubbed the “world’s first intelligent energy plant”.
The Austrian firm behind the intriguing design believe it makes for a far more attractive setup outside homes and offices than traditional photovoltaic panels.
And one SmartFlower is said to produce the equivalent of a 4kW rooftop system.
Energy can be stored with integrated batteries and synchronized with smart homes via mobile devices, freeing owners from reliance on the grid.
Since launching in Europe in 2014, over 1,000 units have been installed in 20 European countries.
The garden-based gadget, which resembles a sunflower, wakes up at dawn and fans out its 18m2 self-cleaning ‘petals’ to capture daylight.
The face tracks the sun throughout the day, maximizing energy yield.
The manufacturer claim this makes it around 40 per cent more efficient than a traditional rooftop solar system.
Even former governor of Califorina and known eco-activist Arnold Schwarzenegger is a fan of the flower-inspired tech, according to SmartFlower’s website.