Metal trees with a seven-meter solar panel canopy are soon to be installed in UK parking lots and shopping malls.
SolarBotanic Trees in UK parking lots
SolarBotanic Trees, a British startup, created the structures to charge electric vehicles (EVs) by capturing solar energy in nano photovoltaic “leaves.”
The company recently completed a half-scale device prototype and is now constructing and testing a full-scale version before beginning commercial production by the end of the year.
According to ZapMap, an EV mapping service, more than 40,000 public charging points will be installed in the UK by April 2023, a 37% increase from 2022
According to the UK Climate Change Committee, 325,000 charging points will be required by 2032 to support EV charging needs.
According to SolarBotanic Trees CEO Chris Shelley, the UK’s EV charging infrastructure is insufficient.
He also stated that the company has received its first order of 200 trees from the Raw Charging Group, an EV charging infrastructure supplier, and that they will be used in the company’s UK and European charging site network.
According to Shelley, several companies sell solar-powered carports that cover parking spaces and resemble unsightly bus shelters with solar panels.
He claims that, such as those at Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay and the Sustainability Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, will provide optimal form and function.
SolarBotanic Trees range in price from Rs. 6.2 million to Rs. 8.6 million, which is significantly more than conventional solar panels.
According to SolarBotanic, these solar trees will be able to power several charging points. Each charging station will be able to charge cars faster than standard charging stations.
To read our blog on “The sun-tracking floating solar panels,” click here