Artificial Tree Harvests Wind and Solar Energy to Power Houses
Is there anything lovelier than a tree? How about a tree that doubles as your house's energy generator? A London company has developed an artificial tree that utilizes renewable energy from the sun and wind to power a house.
Solar Botanic has created a fully artificial tree that makes use of light, wind and heat to generate enough electricity to reduce the home owner's electricity bill. The artificial trees make use of nanoleaves which can harvest wind, sunlight and heat energy to convert them into useable electricity. According to the Solar Botanic website the nanoleaves can convert the complete solar spectrum including visible light, infrared and ultra violet rays into electricity.
Aside from copying a form of photosynthesis, the nanoleaf can also convert wind energy through Nano-piezo electric elements in the leaf. When thousands of nanoleaves are pushed by the wind, millions and millions of Pico watts are generated. "The stronger the wind, the more energy is generated." Even rain can produce electricity by moving the nanoleaves.
Solar Botanic is offering a variety of artificial trees for different uses. There are broad leaf trees that can provide 3500kWh to 7000kWh per year. Solar Botanics also offers evergreen trees that can provide 2500kWh to 7000kWh per year and can be used as single trees or to fence garden properties. There are even artificial shrubs that can be installed in roofs or to cover walls and fences.
Solar Botanic says that their artificial trees can offer "up to 50% more power than conventional solar systems". One thing Solar Botanic has over other solar panels and alternative energy sources is that they are look like trees. Design wise they're better looking than solar panels. They would be perfect for gardens and even city dwellers can use the artificial shrubs in their rooftops. As long as Solar Botanic can keep the price in range of the consumer, then this artificial tree could be great way for houses to be more energy efficient.