The government of Ethiopia will soon be using the AORA Solar-hybrid system called ‘TULIP’. This concentrated solar tower (elevated towards the sky) looks like a gorgeous energy-generating tulip.

This ingenious modular system uses less water than other available systems. Its unique design takes up little space (only 0.86 acres/module) yet is able to provide 100 kWh of solar and 170kWh of thermal power with only 8% of the amount of water typically required by ‘concentrated’ solar power projects.

The design – made to look like a plant bulb – isn’t just cute its functional too. Shaping it in this way allows the sun to efficiently heat the air inside to generate electricity more economically.

In Ethiopia, AORA is also training local communities to run ‘Tulip’ so the country can achieve its goal of becoming a middle-income, green economy nation by 2025. The uninterrupted power-supply afforded by Tulip will prove an important part of Ethiopia’s development. Firstly it will provide a reliable energy network, secondly, its look will help spread the idea of renewables. A great all-round idea!} else {