Solar Collector, Interactive light installation in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Solar Collector consists of twelve aluminum shafts mounted with solar panels and bright LED lights positioned outdoors in Cambridge. The shafts are arranged at different heights to capture maximum sunlight throughout the year and power colorful evening displays.
The Regional Municipality of Waterloo commissioned this work in 2008 as part of an effort to promote public art and environmental awareness. It was created during a growing movement to highlight renewable energy solutions in public spaces.
The artwork serves as a visible reminder of renewable energy in the community's daily life. Evening visitors gather around the glowing shafts to watch the light displays, making it a social gathering spot for locals and tourists alike.
The installation is freely accessible around the clock and located in a public space easily viewed from the street. Visit in the evening when the LED lights activate to see the full visual effect powered by solar energy collected throughout the day.
Each of the twelve shafts is deliberately positioned at a different height to track the sun's position across seasons. The shortest shaft aligns with the summer solstice while the tallest matches the winter solstice, turning the whole structure into a solar calendar.
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