There is a major assumption throughout this thread -- that trees maximize solar energy capture. In fact, the exact opposite is true. Many features of trees (and plants in general) reduce the efficiency of solar conversion. This is useful for plants to reduce the need for other resources like water. If leaves were arranged to optimally harvest solar energy, the tree would need an enormous amount of water to combat the resultant heat and evaporation.
Trees only convert 1-3% of the solar energy that falls on them -- so trees are a very poor system to mimic if the goal is to maximize solar energy collection.
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There is a major assumption throughout this thread -- that trees maximize solar energy capture. In fact, the exact opposite is true. Many features of trees (and plants in general) reduce the efficiency of solar conversion. This is useful for plants to reduce the need for other resources like water. If leaves were arranged to optimally harvest solar energy, the tree would need an enormous amount of water to combat the resultant heat and evaporation.
Trees only convert 1-3% of the solar energy that falls on them -- so trees are a very poor system to mimic if the goal is to maximize solar energy collection.