Related Sections: Art & Design Green Tech Household Portable Gadgets
Solar Cell Tree Charger gets energy just as a real tree would
Designer Vivien Muller's Solar Cell Tree Charger takes a page from nature, using solar panels as leaves that'll allow it to soak up energy from the sun. Leave it by your window and you have a renewable solution for charging your gadgetry. It has space for 54 panels panels, and you can rotate them to try and get more output if you find something charging slow.
The Solar Cell Tree Charger takes a lot less upkeep than your average household shrub, too. Just, ah, don't water it. As smart as it is, it looks like Muller's tree is just a prototype.
Vivien Muller, via Jetson Green, via Gizmodo, via Behance Network
By Erin at 4:36 AM ON 09/04/08
I want!! Where can I buy?
By ChristaPaloma at 7:26 AM ON 09/04/08
Love the design except for the cord coming out the tray...I'd move it out the back, but that's my quirk... this is really cute, but I'm wondering how much energy it's slated to store...
By mtnbeancounter at 10:32 AM ON 09/04/08
I Love This, When can we buy, where can we buy, and how big a hit to the wallet when we can buy!?!
By SpartanPhysics at 10:49 AM ON 09/04/08
i wonder if it stores energy in the base even when no device is hooked up so it can charge from a resevoir also so it can have ample power
By Kimbakat at 11:55 AM ON 09/04/08
While it's nice to save a few cents to charge your phone and ipod... we need a bit larger solutions for portable power sources..or "home" power sources.
Unfortunately, legislation is out there trying to limit your ability to produce solar or wind energy on a larger scale above a power tree. It is illegal in NY state to have your own wind power mill on your property. Why should this be? And who would dare tell you what clean sources of power you can not have on your own property?
By smeagollette at 5:07 AM ON 09/05/08
Brilliant! Clever!! Impressive! As an artist who specializes in green creations, this gives me ideas... suncatchers that REALLY catch the sun... stained glass windows with little solar panels worked into the design... mosaics using solar panels... statues, reliefs, the possibilities are endless! Alternative energy doesn't have to be an eyesore! Love it!!
By DarthRock at 5:41 PM ON 09/05/08
I love it... to me, it is a functional work of art... not only stylistic and cool looking, but a useful 'green' solution to all those chargers we have around the house. Where can I find one or two and how much? Yep, I'd buy a few...
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DarthRock:
I love it... to me, it is a functional work of art... not only stylistic and cool looking, but a useful 'green' sol...More »