The Solar Share: Redefining the Economy Through Photosynthesis
The Solar Share (Horizontal photobioreactor prototype) - Object design by Katharina Ammann Based on an artistic research by @disnovation art collective | Photography Femke Reijerman
What if we could base our economy on the natural processes that sustain all life on Earth?
The Solar Share, a groundbreaking project by Disnovation.org, invites us to reimagine economic systems through the lens of planetary metabolism. By integrating art, science, and technology, this experiment proposes a provocative alternative to conventional economic models.
At its core, The Solar Share features a one-square-metre bioreactor that cultivates microalgae, converting sunlight into edible biomass. This daily yield represents a tangible measure of “solar income”—the new energy harvested by photosynthetic organisms and fundamental to Earth’s ecosystems. Through this photosynthetic “currency,” the project underscores humanity’s reliance on the sun and the intricate energy networks that sustain life.
Challenging Economic Norms
By translating sunlight into a measurable and consumable unit, The Solar Share critiques prevailing economic systems that often disregard the finite nature of planetary resources. Instead of abstract monetary values, this project proposes a metabolic perspective—rooted in photosynthesis—as a foundation for a regenerative global economy.
This shift challenges the assumptions underpinning modern accounting practices. What if value were not tied to profit but to the inherent energy and labour embedded in natural processes? Drawing inspiration from historical plant-based currencies, such as tea bricks and cocoa beans, The Solar Share envisions an economy deeply intertwined with Earth’s ecosystems.
The Solar Share by disnovation Art Collective
The Solar Share by disnovation Art Collective