Only recently has care for the environment become truly trendy, and only recently has it become a mainstream issue. The sway is perhaps best signified by the change of the Conservative Party logo under David Cameron; it has now changed from the traditional torch bearer, to a green tree with a royal blue trunk.



Naturally, then, the environment is increasingly becoming involved with aesthetics. In fact, one of the early criticisms of sustainable energy sources was the potential for unpleasant installations; the frequent objection to fields of wind turbines transforming the roadside, or layers of solar panels creating eyesores across roof after roof of houses and buildings.

Now that problem is being addressed. For a new artistic mold is growing and developing, and using photovoltaic and solar panels as its primary materials. At its heart is the fundamental belief that the environment and beauty do not have to be mutually exclusive. 'Solar Art', like David Cameron's symbolic change from torch to tree, is showing that sustainable energy can be as practical as always, and also be alluring.

Perhaps the most famous of these installations is the Solarsail Münsingen in Switzerland, which produces an annual energy turnover of 6500kWh. Designed to resemble the sail of a vast boat, it stretches to a height of 24m and covers a squared area of 85m. It marries the two aims of looks and practicality perfectly, dispelling the myth that solar power and photovoltaic means rigid and uncompromising panels on the roof of one's house.

But the Solarsail Münsingen is one installation among many. In the Austrian town of Gleisdorf visitors can find Solarstraße, a street that is dedicated to artistically minded solar power installations. At 3.5m long, and with more than fifty installations, the street includes a specially designed 'Solar Tree'; metal poles sprouting from a thicker metal trunk, each holding one or two solar panels, arranged to resemble leaf canopies. It is safe to say that the 'Solar Tree' is trying to develop a similar message to that of Cameron's new party logo.

For Solarstraße, this solar powered tree is one attraction amongst many. The town also boasts a solar sundial, a solar fountain, and solar powered advertisement boards.

And most of the installations are connected to the public power grid, so that the whole town may benefit from the aesthetic and practical benefits of almost every item in Solarstraße.

It is hoped that such works might raise awareness of pervading climactic issues, as well as those relating to energy source. David Lindsey is an artist who campaigns through his work for a greater understand of these key problems and solutions. His work encompasses proposals for large solar powered installations that would act as meditation grounds, and also supply sustainable energy through solar panels and photovoltaic. In his artistic statement, he summarises the issue at hand:

"There is no more pressing issue regarding planet Earth than global warming. Every day we hear more reports about the dire consequences we face as a global community if we fail to recognise the cases, and fail to fully focus our creative intellect to bring about effective solutions...My interest as an artist is to figure out how to incorporate this subject into my work, and how to integrate my concern with the physical and spiritual health of both the planet and humanity as a whole".

Photovoltaic and art, then, are not so far removed. In fact the 'Solar Art' movement represents the pinnacle of a new commitment to the pleasantry of sustainability in itself; solar power can certainly go mainstream.