New ‘Solar Flower’ Goes Up In Milwaukee Neighborhood

Could solar power grow more rapidly if the solar panels were arranged more artfully? A new display in Milwaukee might answer that question.

A so-called “solar flower,” or Deco Daisy, has gone up in a community garden in Milwaukee’s Garden District neighborhood. The flower features a metal post about 15 feet tall, attached to metal racks holding six solar panels that are arranged like flower petals.

Designer Aaron Garrett-Schesch, of the company Solar Nouveau in Plover, said he’s trying to literally change the way people see solars arrays.

“After my 11 years in the industry, going from residential to solar field development, I got tired of the straight, functional, square, over-engineered unaesthetic systems that were out there,” said Garrett-Schesch.

Garrett-Schesch said it cost a bit more to build what he calls his solar sculpture, but Milwaukee city officials said almost all of the purchase money was donated. The solar flower will power a recirculating water system and farmers market booths this summer.