A 'solar tree' for car charging

A solar panel covered umbrella structure can charge electric cars for commercial car parks.

SolarBotanic Trees claims that their solar-paneled charging station can power the electricity needs of an average household.

The 'solar tree' features photovoltaic 3D leaf-shaped nanotechnology that also provides shade to the parked cars.

It has been designed for commercial car parks such as airports, office sites, supermarkets and exhibition centres.

The new charging station has been developed with with Co-Innovate, which supports SMEs in London.

Co-Innovate utilises resources from Brunel University London, the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).