Black Meetings & Tourism - A Solar Energy Producing "Tree" Makes A Powerful Impression At Long Beach's Convention And Entertainment Center

Greening of Hospitality Industry
A Solar Energy Producing "Tree" Makes A Powerful Impression At Long Beach's Convention And Entertainment Center
The Solarflora™ Illuminates Electric Possibilities for Long Beach-Based Green Tech and Highlights Local Green Initiatives Visitors to the bustling Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center are taking notice of a striking new sight, one that could make Long Beach the center of a new movement to mainstream solar energy into urban landscapes. Located adjacent to the main entrance of the convention center, the Solarflora is a fully functional solar generator in the eye-pleasing shape of an illuminated tree or flower. Manufactured locally by Long Beach-based Nectar Design and installed in the Spring of 2011, the Solarflora is the brainchild of Nectar founder and Long Beach resident Darren Saravis. Intended for eventual mass production, the Solarflora blends solar energy panels into outdoor public spaces by creating an aesthetically pleasing medium for mounting solar panels in plain view. The placement of the Solarflora in front of the convention center is in line with numerous sustainability efforts mounted by Long Beach's Convention and Visitor's Bureau. The Solarflora's location is especially appropriate as the convention center, one of the first such facilities in the nation to "go green," is itself largely powered by solar panels. Intended for use at outdoor malls, museums, festivals, business complexes, universities, sidewalks and elsewhere, the Solarflora houses up to four solar panels and can supply as much as 1.2 kilowatt hours daily while providing nighttime illumination. The Solarflora includes outlets located near seating for charging electronic items ranging from laptops and PDAs to cell phones, Segways, and electric bicycles. The structure is built entirely in Long Beach from locally produced materials. Patents are issued and pending for the design. "We're absolutely delighted that the Solarflora is now operational at one of our great city's most prominent and exciting public spaces," said Mr. Saravis, an engineer, artist, entrepreneur, and musician and the subject of a feature in the April issue of O, The Oprah Magazine. "Thousands of people from all over the country and the world will have the opportunity to interact with it in a pleasant and exciting atmosphere. If the use of solar energy is to become as commonplace as fossil fuels are now, its collection must be integrated into daily life. Placing it in front of one of one of the country's busiest and most visitor-friendly convention centers is an outstanding start." About Nectar Design: Nectar is an award-winning product development consultancy established in 1992. With a firm commitment to thoughtful innovation, the Nectar team helps clients create products that connect to their users and expand their markets. For more information, please contact us by phone at: (562) 856-8500 or by e-mail at le@nectardesign.com, or visit us online at www.nectardesign.com.

Greening of Hospitality Industry

A Solar Energy Producing "Tree" Makes A Powerful Impression At Long Beach's Convention And Entertainment Center

The Solarflora™ Illuminates Electric Possibilities for Long Beach-Based Green
Tech and Highlights Local Green Initiatives

Visitors to the bustling Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center are taking notice of a striking new sight, one that could make Long Beach the center of a new movement to mainstream solar energy into urban landscapes. Located adjacent to the main entrance of the convention center, the Solarflora is a fully functional solar generator in the eye-pleasing shape of an illuminated tree or flower. Manufactured locally by Long Beach-based Nectar Design and installed in the Spring of 2011, the Solarflora is the brainchild of Nectar founder and Long Beach resident Darren Saravis.

Intended for eventual mass production, the Solarflora blends solar energy panels into outdoor public spaces by creating an aesthetically pleasing medium for mounting solar panels in plain view. The placement of the Solarflora in front of the convention center is in line with numerous sustainability efforts mounted by Long Beach's Convention and Visitor's Bureau. The Solarflora's location is especially appropriate as the convention center, one of the first such facilities in the nation to "go green," is itself largely powered by solar panels.

Intended for use at outdoor malls, museums, festivals, business complexes, universities, sidewalks and elsewhere, the Solarflora houses up to four solar panels and can supply as much as 1.2 kilowatt hours daily while providing nighttime illumination. The Solarflora includes outlets located near seating for charging electronic items ranging from laptops and PDAs to cell phones, Segways, and electric bicycles. The structure is built entirely in Long Beach from locally produced materials. Patents are issued and pending for the design.

"We're absolutely delighted that the Solarflora is now operational at one of our great city's most prominent and exciting public spaces," said Mr. Saravis, an engineer, artist, entrepreneur, and musician and the subject of a feature in the April issue of O, The Oprah Magazine. "Thousands of people from all over the country and the world will have the opportunity to interact with it in a pleasant and exciting atmosphere. If the use of solar energy is to become as commonplace as fossil fuels are now, its collection must be integrated into daily life. Placing it in front of one of one of the country's busiest and most visitor-friendly convention centers is an outstanding start."

About Nectar Design:
Nectar is an award-winning product development consultancy established in 1992. With a firm commitment to thoughtful innovation, the Nectar team helps clients create products that connect to their users and expand their markets. For more information, please contact us by phone at: (562) 856-8500 or by e-mail at le@nectardesign.com, or visit us online at www.nectardesign.com.