At a Glance
- Expanding solar energy often requires widespread deforestation, destroying the very ecosystems that help combat climate change by absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.
- A new study in Scientific Reports proposes “solar trees,” which mimic a tree’s shape to generate power while preserving 99% of the existing forest cover.
- Computer simulations in South Korea showed that 63 solar trees could match the 1-megawatt capacity of a conventional solar farm that cleared 98 percent of the forest.
- This technology mitigates the negative ecological impacts of traditional solar farms, including habitat loss, soil erosion, and reduced biodiversity in coastal regions.
- Solar trees offer a dual solution for nations to meet renewable energy targets and forest preservation pledges simultaneously, aligning with global climate commitments.
As nations rush to adopt renewable energy, a significant conflict has arisen: the need for land to construct large solar farms often destroys forests, which are essential for absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This paradox, where a climate solution contributes to another environmental problem, is particularly acute in densely populated countries. In South Korea, for instance, thousands of hectares of forest have been cleared for solar panel installations, erasing vital carbon sinks, causing soil erosion, and destroying natural habitats for wildlife. This trade-off between clean energy and ecosystem preservation poses a serious challenge to achieving global climate goals holistically.
A promising solution may come in the form of “solar trees,” an innovative technology designed to mimic the shape of a real tree. As detailed in a new study published in Scientific Reports, these structures feature solar panels arranged in a manner similar to branches and leaves in the upper canopy. This design enables them to generate electricity while casting minimal shade, allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor and permitting underlying plants and ecosystems to continue thriving. Unlike sprawling, ground-mounted solar farms that require the clear-cutting of land, solar trees can be integrated directly into existing forests, offering a way to produce power while preserving nature simultaneously.
In a first-of-its-kind analysis, researcher Dan-Bi Um used 3D computer simulations to model a large-scale installation of solar trees in a coastal forest in Goseong County, South Korea, and compared it to a real-world solar farm already there. The results were striking—the conventional flat-panel installation required clearing 98 percent of the forest. In contrast, Um’s simulation showed that arranging solar trees linearly along existing trails preserved 99 percent of the forest cover. “This large-scale land conversion alters the coastal environment’s visual character and suggests significant ecological disruption,” Um said of the existing installation in a statement to Phys.org.
The study demonstrates that this preservation does not have to come at the expense of power. The simulation found that just 63 high-efficiency solar trees could produce the same 1 megawatt of power as the land-intensive flat-panel farm. This approach directly supports global initiatives, such as the COP28 pledge to triple renewable energy capacity, while also protecting ecosystems. By offering a dual solution to energy needs and environmental conservation, solar trees represent a strategic path forward for countries aiming to meet ambitious climate targets without sacrificing their invaluable forests.
References
- Kasal, K. & Phys.org. (2025, August 20). Solar trees provide opportunity to meet renewable energy targets without deforestation. Tech Xplore; Phys.org. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-08-solar-trees-opportunity-renewable-energy.html
- Um, D.-B. (2025). Superior energy output of solar trees compared to flat fixed panels in coastal forest installations. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 30287. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12313-y
