Private & Exclusive / SME
To eliminate charging issues facing electric vehicles, especially in remote and isolated areas or stress in crowded places, experts at the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Center (AMRC) are developing the first commercial prototype of SolarBotanic’s innovative solar “tree” capable of powering homes. Powering and charging electric vehicles.
SolarBotanic Trees Ltd is working with AMRC to develop a field prototype of an integrated, scalable and sustainable power generation system. The project aims to build the prototype of an energy tree that is inexhaustible and does not put pressure on local energy sources, and then the company moves towards large-scale commercial production.
Since its launch in the summer of 2022, the company has worked to ensure its progress and continuity, so that SolarBotanic trees become an icon of clean and sustainable energy that will meet the pre-order of the Raw Charging Group, and the rest of the companies in the world.
The trees are uniquely designed to suit all sites aesthetically, have a dome made of photovoltaic (PV) nano-cell “leaves”, and can harness enough solar energy to power individual homes and charge electric vehicles.
AMRC, which is part of Catapult’s network of high-value manufacturing (HVM) research centers, also provides product development and design support to help build a functional prototype for testing.
John Spencer, Senior Project Manager, AMRC, said: “We are thrilled to be working with the fantastic team at SolarBotanic Trees to develop a solar energy-generating tree. The company has a great product that will play a significant role in developing the infrastructure needed to support the shift to zero-emission electric vehicles (EVs).
AMRC will provide design and prototyping support to advance the product through a rapid development cycle, enabling the company to launch its first solar tree, fulfill its pre-orders, and gain traction in the electric vehicle charging market. SolarBotanic Trees’ vision of creating low carbon technologies aligns with AMRC’s drive to support the high value manufacturing sector.
Chris Shelley, CEO of SolarBotanic Trees, said, “With AMRC bringing its design and prototyping expertise to the table, it will help us accelerate the process to commercialization. The team at AMRC are a great partner for SolarBotanic Trees to quickly prototype using their world-class facilities and talent , which will enable us to quickly move into commercial production in the near future, starting with an order to launch 200 trees for RAW Charging Group, a high-growth electric vehicle charging service provider in the UK and EU.”
Other project partners include Coventry’s Manufacturing Technology Center (MTC) and Advanced Molding Research Center in Scotland, both part of HVM Catapult, along with Brunel University London and multinational logistics company, Unipart.
Solar Botanic Trees Ltd
SolarBotanic Ltd is targeting aesthetically sensitive key commercial locations, such as airport parking lots, shopping malls, sports stadiums and exhibition centres, made possible by unique 3D leaf-shaped photovoltaic (“PV”) nanotechnology Harnessing Solar Energy For charging and energy storage.
The company initially aims to enter the electric vehicle fast charging market for homes, businesses and commercial parking lots, where solar energy can be captured and stored for charging points. It will also include an advanced AI-driven energy storage and energy management system (PMS) where trees can be interconnected to form part of the local grid.
