A solar tree with giant square leaves that convert sunlight into electricity was unveiled in the central French town of Nevers on Monday, allowing passers-by to charge their phones, surf the internet…or just enjoy the shade.
The town of 37,000 on the Loire river is the first in Europe to experiment with the technology developed by Israeli company Sol-logic.
Inspired by the acacia tree found in the Israeli desert and African savanna, the futuristic-looking ‘eTree’ also supplies water and street lighting.
The tree has seating, USB charging and a water fountain, with a separate water trough for pets.
It’s also provides a source of light at night and free WiFi, as well as an integrated LCD screen.
Its ‘leaves’ are solar panels that power the eTree.
It was created in a partnership between French firm JCDecaux, the town of Nevers and Israeli entrepreneurs with Sol-logic.
The first prototype was unveiled in Israel in 2014.
A year later the first operational model was presented at the COP 21 climate conference in Paris, and it’s that same tree that was re-planted in Nevers.
Since then solar trees have been planted in around 10 cities in Israel and in the US in North Carolina and California.
The mayor of Nevers, Denis Thuriot, told franceinfo that the eTree was a symbol of the town’s digital engagement since 2014.
He said that the tree will be planted in twenty or so other places, including New York City.
Solar panels are devices that convert light into electricity. This collection of solar cells is spread over a large area to capture a maximum amount of sunlight. A solar panel (pictured) is a collection of solar cells – or photovoltaic cells The more light that hits the cell, the more electricity it produces, so spacecraft are usually designed with solar panels that can be pointed towards the Sun even when the rest of the spacecraft’s body moves around – just like how a turret on a tank can be aimed in a different direction to where the tank is going.
Join GhanaStar.com to receive daily email alerts of breaking news in Ghana. GhanaStar.com is your source for all Ghana News. Get the latest Ghana news, breaking news, sports, politics, entertainment and more about Ghana, Africa and beyond.