Development in rural African communities is often limited by lack of access to reliable power – hospitals, schools and businesses all require a steady source of electricity in order to function. The government of Ethiopia just announced plans to address this need using the AORA Solar-Hybrid system. The AORA system is ingenious because it is modular and uses less water than other systems, but perhaps best of all, the concentrated solar tower looks like a gorgeous energy-generating tulip high in the sky.
The unique AORA design takes up hardly any space – just .86 acres per module and can provide 100 kWh of solar and 170kWh of thermal, all with just 8% of the water typically required by CSP projects. The bulb design isn’t just cute – the shape allows the sun to heat the air inside to create electricity.
AORA will help train the local community in Ethiopia on running the Tulip as part of the country’s goal of becoming a middle income, green economy nation by 2025. The Tulip’s uninterrupted 24/7 energy will be an important part of this development. Not to mention the fact that it will look pretty amazing while providing all of that reliable energy.