Solar Trees Could Revolutionize Electric Vehicle Charging

The number of public EV charging points in the UK is increasing quickly, with over 40,000 installed by April 2023, which is 37 percent higher than the previous year, according to ZapMap, a service that maps EVs.

However, this is still not enough to meet the demand, as estimated by the UK's Climate Change Committee, which predicts that 325,000 charging points will be necessary by 2032 to accommodate the growing electric vehicle fleet.

Several companies currently provide solar-powered carports that cover parking spots and resemble bus shelters with solar panels.

However, there is a shortage of visually appealing options. Solar trees, which have been seen in Singapore's Gardens by the Bay and at Expo 2020 Dubai's Sustainability Pavilion, can provide a solution that is both functional and attractive.

Dubai has 18 energy trees covered in solar panels that rotate throughout the day, but SolarBotanic Trees are smaller and more space-efficient, making them ideal for public spaces.

These trees also have a solar dome that provides shade and is appealing to luxury hotels, shopping malls, and corporate offices that want to showcase their green initiatives.

Enter SolarBotanic

Now, there are plans to install metal trees in car parks and shopping malls in the UK, according to CNN. These metal trees will have solar panels on their seven-meter canopy, which will produce electricity.

(Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Avi1111 dr. avishai teicher) Solar tree in Ramat Gan

SolarBotanic Trees, a UK-based startup, has created unique structures that can capture solar energy using tiny photovoltaic "leaves" and store it in a battery inside the tree's trunk. These structures are intended to power electric vehicles (EVs) and the company has completed a half-size prototype and plans to construct and test a full-size version before starting commercial production by the end of the year.

More Expensive But Worth It?

SolarBotanic Trees will be more expensive than traditional solar panels, costing around £18,000 to £25,000. They will generate five kilowatts of power, which is similar to a standard chargepoint. However, it would take almost seven hours to charge a car with a 50-kilowatt battery from 20% to 80%.

The startup plans to create a smaller and less expensive version of its product that produces 3.2 kilowatts. This version is expected to cost between £10,000 and £15,000 ($12,000 to $18,000) and would be ideal for places like university campuses, shopping malls, and town centers. It can be used for various purposes, such as charging smartphones and laptops, lighting LED lights, and displaying electronic advertisements.

How the Solar Trees Work

The trees will have a smart energy storage and power management system powered by artificial intelligence. This system can connect multiple trees to create microgrids or link a tree to the national power grid. The system allows excess energy produced to be fed back to the main power supply. Additionally, the tree can recharge even during dark days or nights by tapping into the power grid.

The startup intends to decrease its dependence on the power grid by incorporating a battery storage system within the tree trunk. This will enable them to store any surplus energy generated during the day for use during the night.

SolarBotanic Trees has secured £340,000 ($420,000) and is planning to commence another funding round towards the end of the year after testing out the complete prototype. Shelley, the founder, aims to produce a minimum of 1,000 trees annually by 2025. The initial trees will be constructed in the UK before expanding to Europe and North America.