One of the chief complaints of those using solar energy is the fact solar panels take up a lot of space wherever they are installed and, apart from making a statement you use green energy, don’t look all that appealing visually. EarthSure, who recently brought us the WindAir energy harvesting system, now is showing off a conceptual idea to eliminate solar panel eyesore with a single optical device.

EarthSure calls its little invention the SubSolar. The idea is that a single optical device collects the sun’s light and magnifies it before transferring it via fiber-optic lines to an underground bank of solar panels. These panels, encased in cylindrical tubes or in a semi-hermetically sealed box, says EarthSure, “utilize the ultimate light absorption in the box light vacuum chamber that encapsulates the solar panel modules” to generate energy. This energy is then sent into the power grid of the home to power whatever is needed. This is a grand invention indeed, but it isn’t clear at this point how much solar energy this exactly will harvest compared to the traditional solar panels above ground model. The idea though, if it passes muster, could prove to be a more aesthetic, but probably also more pricey, alternative for those wanting their rooftops uncluttered.

image via EarthSure

EarthSure SubSolar [via press release]