Israeli company develops energy producing "solar e-Tree"

An Israeli company has developed a "solar e-Tree" which is an ecological sculpture that resembles a real tree and whose canopy is made up of solar panels that produce energy from the sun that could be used to charge smart-phones and other devices.
The e-Tree, developed by Sologic, offers a shaded recreation area and a cold-water drinking fountain, but also free WiFi, a docking station to charge smart-phones and tablets, outlets for electrical appliances, a computer monitor that allows one to chat with friends who are at other e-Trees, and decorative night lighting, Ynetnews reported.
The innovative tree to be displayed for the first time tomorrow at HaNadiv Gardens is designed for installation in residential neighbourhoods and urban centres, as well as the courtyards of educational institutions, parks and along hiking trails.

Its designers believe that it will be especially popular among the youth as a place to meet up and hang out with their various gadgets.
The promoters expect it to be installed at cultural institutions and museums too.
The e-Tree will operate automatically, with minimal maintenance, and provide energy around the clock, the report said.

Designed by artist Yoav Ben-Dov, the e-tree is constructed of metal tubes that resemble branches, with the upper section comprising 1.4 square meter "leaves" fitted into tempered glass bases that can withstand harsh weather conditions.
The structure is made up of seven such panels, each with a capacity of 1,400 watts per hour, enabling the e-tree to produce on an average 7 kilowatts of power per day.

Sologic's chairman, Michael Lasry, a veteran entrepreneur in the solar industry said that he is proud of the innovation because it is green in all senses of the word, it is radiation free, doesn't pose a danger from electrocution and meets the most stringent safety standards.
The company is currently in talks to install e-Trees in cities in China and France, the report said.