Client: SmartFlower Solar
Agency: Freelance
Task: Content Writing
Role: Blogger/ Freelance Copywriter. In-house content writer.
SmartFlower Solar is the world's most intelligent solar system. The technology is inspired in nature's sunflowers. The SmartFlower's solar panels autonomously follow the sun, so they are always at the optimal range to the sun, generating 40% more energy production than traditional solar panels.
As freelance copywriter, I contributed to SmartFlower's content marketing by producing blog posts about the company's recent activities. I used my journalism background and excellent communication skills to communicate SmartFlower's unique value to the green energy industry.
SmartFlower Solar continues to be featured in various technology and innovation news platforms. And the company enjoys a growing social media presence of over 8,000 Facebook followers, 5,000 Instagram followers, and over 1,000 Twitter followers.
Blog Title: An interior warmed by the sun is an amazing feature- 1000 words
Posted to the SmartFlower Solar Blog 12/6/ 2017
SmartFlower Solar had the pleasure of meeting with Tammy Crosby, CEO of a Connecticut based firm, The House Designers, at Greenbuild International Conference and Expo 2017, during which she provided further insight into her goals for attending the trade show and her first impressions of the SmartFlower.
Crosby describes their role as “representing the leading residential architects and designers in the country offering the most popular, construction-ready and builder approved house plans in America”. And most noteworthy, they have recently expanded their supply partner categories (one company per category) to include solar. A decision that is not surprising given the rise of corporate social responsibility which includes implementing the use of clean energy technologies whenever applicable. To educate herself on the newest product offerings in clean technology, Tammy came to Boston last month to walk the trade show floor at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo*.
SmartFlowe Solar: What was your main goal in attending Greenbuild Boston 2017?
Crosby: I make a point to go to Greenbuild to see what new products and technology might be interesting to our customers building new homes throughout the U.S. and Canada. We sell the blueprints for people to build their own homes, but we’re also a resource that they and others use to find building products and design ideas. Whenever possible, we use our voice to suggest environmentally friendly options that are as good for our readers as they are for our world, and that means staying up-to-date with what’s available. Greenbuild is the best place to be introduced to a wide variety of products for this very important niche.
SmartFlower Solar: How would you describe your experience walking the trade show floor?
Crosby: It’s enlightening to be able to see such innovative technology and sustainable products in one location. The energy of the floor was incredible and gives great optimism for the efforts being made to preserve and protect our environment.
SmartFlower Solar: What were your impressions of the SmartFlower?
Crosby: The unique approach to capturing the sun’s energy definitely caught my eye. Rooftop panels are a great solar solution for many homeowners, and their efficiency has improved over the years, but the SmartFlower’s almost organic operation was brand-new to me and makes a lot of sense. I love that its design took a hint from plants to follow the sun, thereby creating a dynamic system that moves to optimize light absorption and produce more electricity each day. Seeing the actual SmartFlower in the booth get put through its paces was amazing.
SmartFlower Solar: Was Greenbuild your introduction to SmartFlower?
Crosby: It was. While we’re always on the lookout for innovative products, the SmartFlower is still very new in North America and I had yet to be introduced.
SmartFlower Solar: What primarily interests you about SmartFlower?
Crosby: The aesthetic factor is a major one. Green energy solutions are often rejected by homeowners because they don’t want unattractive panels to distract from their homes. The fact that the SmartFlower doesn’t sit on the house itself is already a huge step up, and it can be placed almost anywhere on the property to become an unexpected but welcome part of the landscape. The physical investment is also unique in that the system can be moved with its owners, while traditional panels stick with the house. People these days move fairly often, and they want a good return on investment and resale value—things that can be put jeopardy with regular rooftop photovoltaic cells.
I think experiencing the SmartFlower in person gave me a greater appreciation for its presence. It is fairly large—a fact that can be glossed over when zoomed out to fit it in the frame and without a person nearby for perspective. And while the image of a flower seems delicate, the SmartFlower is solidly engineered and inspires confidence in its ability to withstand the elements. Elegance and intelligence are its main selling points, but I definitely appreciate its sturdiness as well.
SmartFlower Solar: The House Designers caters to the residential market. What new trends have you noticed in house designs and what kind of role does solar or renewable energy play into those designs?
Crosby: Many of our architects and designers offer ENERGY STAR® qualified house plans, which use 20-30% less energy than average. Some are so focused on designing optimally efficient homes that they leave no detail overlooked—everything from compact footprints, to where the ductwork lies, to framing techniques that accommodate more insulation. But one of the biggest trends that can contribute to an efficient house is already heavily favored by the population at large: the open floor plan.
Homes with open floor plans have great rooms with patio doors and/or large windows, and if the house is oriented correctly and the glass is properly glazed for the climate zone, they can facilitate solar heat gain. An interior warmed by the sun is an amazing feature, but homes can’t meet our expectations on passively gained energy alone—we need lighting at the flip of a switch and electricity for our appliances and gadgets. That’s where renewable sources like active solar energy from solar cells can bridge the gap and make it possible to create net-zero energy homes that support our modern lifestyles. Electricity is electricity as far as wiring is concerned, so any home can be hooked up to a solar system to make that dream a reality!
*Greenbuild, the world’s largest annual, traveling trade show and conference dedicated to green building, attracts nearly 20,000 attendees each year. Architects, engineers, contractors, builders, developers, LEED and consulting firms, government officials, utility companies, and educational institutions have become increasingly conscious of using clean technologies to create a more sustainable environment. An overwhelming number of decision-makers attend the trade show hoping to discover new products to incorporate in their product line or upcoming projects.
Building a new home? Explore more clean and efficient products along with the SmartFlower that could be a purposeful addition to your home designs on the TheHouseDesigners.com: Clean, Efficient Products Seen at Greenbuild 2017
Blog Title: SmartFlower Blooms in New Brunswick, Canada- 500 Words
Posted to the SmartFlower Solar Blog 8/27/ 2017
Last month, NB Power, the primary electrical utility for the Canadian province of New Brunswick, went solar with SmartFlower Solar and one of its authorized Canadian dealers — NU-NRG Group. NB Power proudly welcomed the first SmartFlower in New Brunswick by showcasing the unit on the headquarters ’ front lawn. Now, employees, clients, and guests are all greeted upon arrival by the larger than life solar flower, a visible testament to NB Power’s commitment to a greener future.
SmartFlower Solar had the opportunity to speak with the delightful Jemma Johnson of NB Power’s Systems Operations Engineering Department. Read the exclusive interview below!
SF: How and when did you first learn about the SmartFlower?
JJ: “I saw a video of the SmartFlower on social media one evening in March, and it intrigued me to look more into it.”
SF: What were your initial thoughts and questions about the product?
JJ: “I was initially very intrigued by the SmartFlower and interested to learn more about its maintenance requirements and how much power is consumed for the opening, closing, and cleaning functions.”
SF: What key factors led you to opt for the SmartFlower versus a traditional rooftop system or ground mount?
JJ: “Our primary focus for this project was to learn more about SmartFlower technology and testing. The SmartFlower makes some large claims about efficiency, its ability to handle harsh weather and lifespan. We wanted to be able to see for ourselves how well the SmartFlower would perform in the New Brunswick climate particularly harsh winters, and how this compares to the typical rooftop system. Aside from the attractive design, one of the key features for me personally was the claim to be 40% more efficient than a typical rooftop system. I have a personal interest in renewable energy and reducing waste. A product that claims to be more efficient, therefore using less material interests me.”
SF: How are you utilizing the SmartFlower for your energy needs?
JJ: “We are using the SmartFlower to supplement our office energy needs at the Energy Control Centre.”
SF: What was your customer experience like with your installer, Nu-NRG Group? Were your support needs met?
JJ: “Our situation was a bit unique as installing the SmartFlower at an electrical utility was a bit different than a typical residential install. There was a bit of a learning curve on both sides, but it has been a pleasant experience working with Nu-NRG Group. They are typically very quick to respond to questions.”
SF: What changes do you envision for the renewable energy industry in New Brunswick?
JJ: “As the future of the energy sector is changing, we expect to see more renewable generation at both the transmission and distribution level, and eventually energy storage. It is a very interesting time to be a power system engineer, as we know there will be a lot of changes coming, but it is still unclear what or when exactly these changes will be or what they will look like.”
Blog Title: Who is SmartFlower North America? - 300 words
Posted to the SmartFlower Solar Blog 5/10/2017
People who see the SmartFlower online and call or email us usually think they are reaching a fully staffed customer service center. But in reality, it’s usually one person with a wireless headset and a laptop.
SmartFlower North America (a/k/a SmartFlower Solar) is a small, rapidly growing company that is approaching its first birthday next month. You’ll find us tucked along one side of the third-floor suite we share with the industry veteran Energy Management Inc. in an office building just off the Public Garden in Boston. In our short tenure, we’ve enlisted over 25 dealers and sales partners in North America, trained the first wave of resellers, and created a website that, despite being only two months old, is already in the top three on Google, an accomplishment of which every startup dreams. Our beautiful product has been featured in Tech Insider, Inc. Magazine, Green Builder, Martha Stewart Living, Inc. Magazine, Architectural Digest, and a host of other online publications. And as a result, our phones are constantly ringing and our inbox overflowing with plaudits and questions, most notably “How and when can I get one?”
We are a dedicated collection of multitaskers—by both necessity and interests, jacks-of-all-trades completely focused on doing good for our environment while doing well. Our staff is energetic and eclectic with a wide range of personalities, ages, and experiences. Topics of our weekly team meetings and daily conversations range from CRM training to solar panel and electricity tutorials to website analytics and troubleshooting installations. Everything is open for discussion and suggestions for improvement are not only welcome but actively solicited. It’s exciting to be part of something that is constantly growing, evolving, and continually picking up speed, to be a part of something that the public is as excited about as we are.
We’ve just gotten started and we have no intention of stopping. Smartflower is part of America’s energy future, and that future is now.