By The Sologic eTree is an iconic sculpture in the form of a life-size tree powered by solar panels located at its top. It is part of a public space made from 100 percent sustainable materials, that provides rest, shade, free WiFi and a place to cool your water.
Imagine hiking on a path knowing there’s a tree that will put you in touch with the world — just ahead!
Enjoy the unbelievable images of this piece of technology:
Credit: Sologic
Credit: Sologic
Credit: Sologic
Credit: Sologic
Credit: Sologic
Credit: Sologic
The concept of this technology is to create an environmental enterprise that aims to promote sustainable awareness within communities.
E-Tree was invented and developed by solar energy expert Michael Lasry and designed in collaboration with artist Yoav Ben Dov.
The energy produced from the solar panels activates a camera and LCD screen display providing visitors information such as: weather, educational and environmental conditions. The LCD screen allows for inter-communication with other eTree-s planted in different locations around the world.
If you’re wondering how E-Tree’s solar energy ranges from one climate to another, it all comes down to reserve power. The E-Tree will always have enough energy for its applications, regardless of location. In warmer climates, high reserves of stored energy could be channeled back on the grid for use in cooler, less sunny locations. Sologic is also trying to divert these reserves for other kinds of uses in development, such as a small compressor for filling bicycle tires.
The E-Tree is set to be “planted” in Nice, France, and the role out progressively to other countries.
It’s not a “thing” because it’s way more expensive than a normal pole mounted solar array. Don’t waste your money on making it look like a “tree”. Let’s make solar accessible and affordable. Leave solar art for those that want to make a statement, and can afford the cost premium of doing so. I hate to be such a bummer, but people want the lowest cost solar. I like the tree, though, if you can afford to pay twice the price.
@David–It all comes down to cost isn’t it? True this technology may be expensive but you got to applaud the idea though. This may not be a ground breaking idea that may work in developed countries but imagine such a tree in arid regions of developing countries in Africa or Latin America.
Africa and Latin America are not countries. They are gigantic continents
Sorry for the error (which has been corrected). Our statement mentioned “arid regions” in countries on these continents. We would never consider Africa or Latin America as countries.
If I am taking a hike, I am not trying to be connected with the modern distractions…. I want nature! Solar Trees are an intrusion into nature.
Anyway, the wireless world is already intruding into nature more than enough…. so you do not need it.
Sorry, this is pointless!
@Steve: While we understand your concern, we’d like to add that we support this technology. A good point is that many people don’t go hiking because of the fear of being in an emergency while out of reach of requesting immediate help. This helps with that!
@TeamPV: As a staunch PV energy advocate and avid hiker, I imagine hiking on a trail and finding such a “tree” and I’m absolutely disgusted at the idea… This thing is hideous and has no place on a hiking trail. The purpose of hiking in the wilderness is to immerse yourself in nature, far from technology and luxuries. If hiking is too “unsafe” for you, then stick to a treadmill in the gym or walk around a city park. I understand the intention. But anyone looking to push this idea needs to be pragmatic in its application (e.g. this device would be more appropriate and more well-received in a city park/college campus than on a hiking trail). Analysis of the average hiking demographic/psychographic should undoubtedly reveal a culture of consumers who are going to be horrified to see such devices on their wilderness trails detracting from the wilderness experience. There is no epidemic of wilderness hiking emergencies that warrants installation of these “trees” as safety devices. It’s disconcerting to see a misguided attempt to facilitate a pointless connection to the information grid. If you can’t bear to be disconnected from the internet for the duration of a hike, then you likely don’t go hiking often or ever. This is completely unnecessary and will likely assign negative emotions towards PV energy for many consumers. I’ve read about the eTree on other news sites and there was no mention of installing them on nature trails. Most articles (as well as the developer’s own site) implied their placement in city parks and the like, which makes sense. One can easily envision their success in such locations. My only gripe with the idea comes down to thoughtful, strategic placement. I think it’s important that the author and TeamPV be mindful of this and not create unnecessary negative emotions towards the devices by suggesting they be placed in locations that the developers themselves haven’t suggested.
Well @Ras: That’s quite a thoughtful comment there. But I think you missed the point completely. We believe and support the use of this technology only in areas that need it. It serves no use placing this technology in a 4G covered environment. If you’ve ever been to remote locations in developing countries, you would understand why we hope this technology becomes widely adopted.
Steve, I had a little of the same reaction – while if you don’t want to be connected, don’t – it would disrupt the atmoshpere, and some would say the point, of wilderness hiking to come across a scrum of device addicts, chattering and surfing away.
But it provides a service and for emergencies. So maybe we can all use good mannners about where and when such a connection would be provided and used.
….and this tree, while very artful, is just a glimpse of things to come in off-grid distributed generation.
@Kimberly: Our thoughts exactly!