This is the easiest way to taping the energy for variable uses by which people can fulfill their needs easily.

1. SOLAR TREE
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By-
Lovepreet Kaur
B.Tech(E.C) 3rd yr

2. CONTENTS
 Introduction
 What is a solar tree
 Why it is called solar tree
 Why it is needed
 Construction
 Functioning of solar tree
 Schematic diagram of electrical system
 Comparison graph between conventional SPV and SPT
 Solar tree design using nanowire cells
 Advanced solar tree
 Solar tree is unique
 Applications
 Advantages and disadvantages
 Scope of solar tree in India
 Conclusion
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3. INTRODUCTION
Solar energy is available in abundance and considered as the easiest
and cleanest means of tapping the renewable energy.
The main problem associated with tapping solar energy is the
requirement to install large solar collectors require a very big space.
To avoid this problem a SOLAR TREE can be installed in spite of a no.
of solar panels which require a very small space.
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4. WHAT IS SOLAR TREE
 Tree stands for
T = tree generating
R = renewable
E = energy and
E = electricity
 A solar tree is a decorative means
of producing solar energy and
electricity.
 Solar tree is an artificial tree in
which spiraling phyllotaxis
technique is used.
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5. 1/35

6. WHY IT IS CALLED SOLAR TREE
Green plants collect energy from the sun and water from soil at the day
time and produce their own food.
And green trees indirectly or directly provide food to the human
society.
Similarly in SOLAR TREE stems connected act as the branches of the
tree and solar panels are like the leaves.
Like green leaves solar panels are producing electricity for the society.
Hence it is very appropriate to called it as a tree.
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7. WHY IT IS NEEDED
 Due to less land requirement:- requires
about 1% land as compared to the traditional
system.
 Efficient energy generation:-
o due to the technique involved spiraling
phyllotaxis it is more efficient comparatively.
o Solar tree with cells arranged in Fibonacci series
manner provides 20% more electricity
comparatively.
 It can collect energy from wind:- joints of
stems are made flexible so that they can rotate in
any direction.
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8. CONSTRUCTION
 The solar tree consist of some important parts in its design as
follows:-
a. Long towers
b. Stems for connecting the panels
c. Solar panels
d. LEDs
e. Batteries
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9. CONSTRUCTION( contd. )
 The structure consists in curved steel poles of different diameters
with an overall height of 5.5.meters.
 Each of the 10 grass stalks has a 1watt LED at its end protected by a
lens in PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate).
 10 heads which are capped by PV cells are supported by poles 76mm
in diameter. 8/37

10. CONSTRUCTION( contd. )
 20 white LEDs of 1watt each are situated at the bottom part of these
poles .
 Battery is hidden at the ground base which is closed with the proper
material.
 The base is made of reinforced concrete.
 The electrical connection or control box is housed in plastic at the foot
of the base, and consists in:
o Two 12v batteries
o Cable junction box for the 10 solar panels 9/37

11. CONSTRUCTION( contd. )
o Cable junction box for the 10 LED heads .
o Electronic controls for battery charger
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12. FUNCTIONING OF SOLAR TREE
 It uses the energy generated by the solar panels during the day to
recharge the batteries .
 At dusk solar tree automatically switches on its LED.
 Solar tree is capable of functioning for three consecutive days of
cloudy or overcast weather
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13. FUNCTIONING OF SOLAR TREE( contd.)
 Depending on specific needs there are 3 operating programs that can
be selected by infrared remote control:
• Program0(standard) provides the led sources 25% of maximum power
from dusk to dawn.
• Program1(event1) provides the led sources with 100% of maximum
power from dusk to dawn, reverts automatically to program0 at dawn.
• Program2(event2) provides the same power to led sources as in
program1, with the option of turning it on or off with the infrared
remote and reverts back to program0 at dawn.
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14. Schematic diagram of electrical system
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15. Comparison of output current between series 1 and series 2
Series 1 a conventional solar panel
Series 2 a panel of solar tree
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16. SOLAR TREE DESIGN USING
NANOWIRE CELLS
 In this solar tree uses an array of
solar panels of nanowire solar
cells as leaves in place of silicon
crystalline PV cells.
 Nanowire are made of
semiconductor material Indium
phosphide
 Works like antenna that absorbs
sunlight and generate power
 Nanowire crystal has cylindrical
structure 16/37

17. (contd.)
 Nanowire concentrate the sunlight up to 15 times of the normal
sunlight intensity into a very small area in the crystal.
 Nanowire has higher limit on utilization of energy of sun’s rays due to
some unique physical properties.
 By using nanowire solar cells solar tree can store enough electricity in
spite of receiving no direct solar light on cloudy days.
 Nanowire solar cell is highly efficient and has longer life
comparatively.
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18. (contd.)
 In this green stems constructed of steel
pipes support a light bubble in which
solar cells are connected.
 Design is similar to coconut tree .
 In place of branches solar panels are
used to produce voltage.
 Battery is hidden at the ground base
which is closed with proper material.
 And branch is decorated with led lights
at the tip.
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19. (contd.)
 Light bubble is a decorative device.
 Light bubble consists of a liquid filled vial that is heated and lighted
by incandescent light.
 The internal control can also regulates the amount of light produced
on how much charge is left in the batteries.
 A sensor is used to measure the amount of light in atmosphere and
triggers the solar lamps to switch ON automatically at sunset and OFF
at sunrise.
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20. SOLAR TREE PROPOSAL FOR STREET LIGHTING
SYSTEM
 This design approach is far more simpler
comparatively.
 Main components are : pillar, solar panels
and light bulbs.
 Base is made of material like concrete.
 Branches start at different angels.
 Light bulbs are attached to solar panels
from bottom side so they cover area
according to solar panel calculations.
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21. ADVANCED SOLAR TREE
 Advanced solar tree uses the concept of
Fibonacci sequence that is found in
natural trees also.
(the spiral on trees showing the Fibonacci sequence)
 Fibonacci pattern helps to collect more
sunlight.
 Due to this pattern solar tree design
avoids the shade from other object.
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22. ADVANCED SOLAR TREE
 Fibonacci pattern is given by the formula Fn = Fn-1 + Fn-2
 Oak tree, elm tree, almond tree etc. are the examples in which leaves
follow this pattern
 Thus on the basis of this a solar tree is designed where PV cells are
placed in place of leaves
 The amount of energy collected by this tree is found to be more than
that of normal flat – panel model.
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23. ARRANGEMENT
1. FLAT PANEL MODEL
2. SOLAR TREE with cells
arranged in Fibonacci
manner
ELECTRICITY
100%
120 %
or
20% more electricity than flat
panel model
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24. INTERESTING FACTS
• Solar tree model based on Fibonacci pattern collects 2 ½ more hours
of sunlight during the day.
• Solar tree produces 2.31watts in a parallel series circuit equivalent to
8.28KWH which is 231% more as compared to single solar panel
system.
• Solar tree produces 2.68watts in a series circuit which is 268% more
than single solar panel system.
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25. SOLAR TREE IS UNIQUE
 Solar panels are fixed throughout a tall pole following a pattern of
spiraling phyllotaxis.
This pattern follows the Fibonacci series manner so that top panel
will not obstruct the bottom panel and thus each panel gets the
maximum sun in a day time.
 Joints of the stems are made flexible in all direction so that solar panel
can avoid wind pressure due to the heavy storm as well as can extract
wind energy to produce electricity.
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26. APPLICATIONS
 World’s best looking solar gadget charger
o Based on photosynthesis solar tree
concept
o It uses 54 mini PV panels as leaves
o Uses sun energy and charges gadgets
o Adapters get tucked away beneath a nice
little tray
• Benefits
a) Gracefully plays both the role of decorative item and useful gadget.
b) A delightful plant that requires no watering.
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27. (contd.)
 Solar trees in streets
• Benefits:
o Day to day running and maintenance cost
are slashed
o No impact of power outages
o Can be easily erected in almost all
locations as consumes 4 sq. feet of area for a single tree
o No need of wiring installation
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28. ADVANTAGES
1) Land requirement is very less.
2) Produce more electricity.
3) Works better in urban areas where direct sunlight and space can be
hard to find.
4) No need to worry as much about future energy sources.
5) All panels can be laid in east-west direction.
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29. New methods to charge electric cars
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30. 1/35

31. DISADVANTAGES
1) May cause hazards to the birds and insects.
2) Hazards to eyesight from solar reflectors.
3) High initial investment cost.
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32. SCOPE OF SOLAR TREE IN INDIA
 State and national highways are big
sources for solar power tree
plantation.
 Two sides of single road highways
and three sides of double road
highways including islands in between
can be utilized for solar power trees.
 If the national highway is used for
plantation of solar power trees from
Kolkata to Asansol which is around
300 km in length it would be possible
to produce 110 MW by installing solar
power trees of 2KW capacity through
the road sides at a certain interval.
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33. GOALS OF SOLAR TREE PROJECT
 Uplifting the public opinion of citizens for renewable and sustainable
resources of energy.
 Enable free access of energy for charging of mobile and portable lap
top devices.
 When placed at locations where free wireless internet is available
they can additionally contribute to better representing for tourists and
citizens.
 Several interactive info panels should provide information about
important city locations, phone numbers, institutions and addresses
which could be accessed by everyone.
 To promote Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and technical science
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34. CONCLUSION
 If solar power tree plantation method is adopted widely it would be
possible to produce sufficient energy and to satisfy the demand of
power for the world keeping the ecological balance and preserving the
nature as it is.
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35. REFERENCES
• Journal Of Environmental And Nanotechnology : S.N.MAITY
• International journal and magazine of engineering technology ,
management and research : S.Madhu priya and K.Divya
• www.artemide.com
• Article on “The secret of the Fibonacci sequence in the tree” : Aidan
Dwyer
• www.ijsrp.org
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36. THANKS
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