A Solar Bug, that's what!

The Solar Bug is the eccentric vision, of artist, Russell Anderson and stands as an entrance point to the Cascade Place Gardens, tracking the sun and feeding power back into the electricity grid.

The Solar Bug was designed through workshops with clients and staff from Cascade Services, an arm of the Cerebral Palsy League of Queensland. The workshops at Cascade Services went beyond aesthetic design, with Russell demonstrating how the sculpture would use the sun to feed power back into the grid.

At the launch of the Solar Bug Russell was surprised to discover how little knowledge people had about renewable energy technology.

"One of the great things about the Solar Bug is that people are attracted to it because of how it looks and then become interested in the solar panels. It is a great educational tool for promoting the use of renewable energy technology", said Russell.

An additional benefit of the Solar Bug is that the Cerebral Palsy League receives credit on their electricity bill for the power the bug feeds into the grid, offsetting the operating costs for the charity.

To visit the Solar Bug go to Humpybong Park, Hutchison St, Redcliffe, Queensland … look for the 6 metre tall glass mosaiced insect!

Further information on Russell's work can be found at www.russellanderson.com.au

The project received significant funding from Arts Queensland with support from Cascade Services and Russell's own contributions. Thanks are also due to Latronics for donating the grid interactive inverter and to Springer's Low Voltage for their advice and discounted prices.

see in 3d here