A Systematic Review on Solar Trees: Design Efficiency and Sectoral Applications

Vargas F.M.Z.; Cruces C.N.M.; Allazo E.A.V.; Márquez G. · Proceedings of the 2025 IEEE 32nd International Conference on Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computing, INTERCON 2025 (2025) · DOI: 10.1109/intercon67304.2025.11244625

Resumen

Solar trees have emerged as an innovative renewable energy technology aimed at addressing climate change and the decline of conventional electricity generation. This study systematically reviews the development, structural typologies, and sectoral applications of solar trees, with a focus on their energy performance. A structured search was conducted using the PICO framework, and the selection of information sources followed the PRISMA guidelines, applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Forty studies published between 2019 and 2024 were selected from Scopus, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar databases. The results revealed four main structural typologies (spiral, single-trunk with branches, flat, and spherical) with spiral models being the most prevalent. Among them, the 3/8 phyllotaxy design demonstrated up to 53.9% higher efficiency than conventional flat panels. Applications were predominantly found in the education sector (56%), followed by agriculture, urban infrastructure, residential areas, transportation, and healthcare. Most implementations were experimental, limiting large-scale deployment. A site-adapted design for Arequipa is proposed: a bifacial spiral solar tree on a 3/8 phyllotaxis helix with a seasonal tilt gradient, passive trunk ventilation, and low-energy automation. In conclusion, solar trees offer significant potential for energy generation in limited spaces and diverse contexts, but further research is needed to standardize performance evaluations and promote their adoption across sectors.

Instituciones: Universidad Tecnológica del Perú