SolarBotanic Trees announce prototype contract with AMRC
The first commercial prototype of SolarBotanic’s solar ‘tree’ capable of powering homes and charging EVs is under development.
The prototype is being developed by experts at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), and SolarBotanic is working with the AMRC to develop a field prototype for the integrated, scalable and sustainable power generation system.
The project aims to build the prototype as the company moves towards full scale commercial production. Since its launch in the summer of 2022, SolarBotanic trees has already secured its founding client with a multi-million pound deal with Raw Charging Group.
The trees are designed for aesthetically sensitive locations and has a dome made up of nano photovoltaic (PV) ‘leaves’, can harness enough solar energy to power individual homes, and charge electric vehicles; while its sleek aesthetic means it is not only easy on the eye but on the environment too – providing a clean and green energy solution to accelerate the UK’s Net Zero journey.
The AMRC, part of the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult network of research centres, is providing the product development and design support to help build a functional prototype for testing.
John Spencer, senior project manager at the AMRC said: “We are delighted to be working with the fantastic team at SolarBotanic Trees on the development of its energy-generating solar tree. The business has a great product which will play an important role in developing the infrastructure necessary to support the shift to zero-emission electric vehicles (EVs), a core part of the UK government’s net zero strategy.
“The AMRC will provide design and prototyping support to advance the product through a rapid development cycle, enabling the company to launch the first solar tree, fulfil its pre-orders, and gain traction in the EV charging market. SolarBotanic Trees’ vision to create carbon-reducing technologies aligns with the AMRC’s drive to support the high-value manufacturing sector on the journey to net zero.”
Chris Shelley, CEO of SolarBotanic Trees, said “With the AMRC bringing its design and prototyping expertise to the table it will help us accelerate commercialisation. The team at the AMRC is a great partner for SolarBotanic Trees to deliver the prototype at speed using its world-class facilities and talent which will enable us to rapidly move to commercial production in the near future, starting with our launch order for 200 trees for RAW Charging Group, a high growth UK and EU focussed EV charging service provider.”
Other project partners include the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry (MTC) and the Advanced Forming Research Centre in Scotland, both part of the HVM Catapult, along with Brunel University in London and multinational logistics company, Unipart.
The latest project is rooted in a five-day design assist previously undertaken for SolarBotanic Trees, which saw the AMRC deliver a range of design concepts for the trunk, branch and petal structure of the solar tree, as well as investigating a range of monitoring and sensing methods to test, assess and select various PV cell options.
