SOLAR TREE

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

It is a form of renewable energy resource that is some measure competitive with

fossil fuels. Hydro power is the force of energy of moving water. It provides about 96%
of the renewable energy in the united states. Hydroelectric power plants do not use any
resources to create electricity or they do not pollute the air. The sun is a hydrodynamic
spherical body of extremely hot ionized gases(plasma), generating energy by the process
of the thermonuclear fusion. The temperature of interior of sun is estimated at 8×10 6 k to
40×106 k, where energy is released by fusion of hydrogen and helium.
Solar energy is available in abundance and considered as the easiest and cleanest
means of tapping the renewable energy. For direct conversion of solar radiation into
usable form, the routes are: solar thermal, solar photovoltaic and solar architecture.
However, the main problem associated with tapping solar energy is the requirement to
install large solar collectors requires a very big space. To avoid this problem, we can
install a solar tree in spite of a no of solar panels which require a very small space.
Solar tree is a revolutionary urban lighting concept that represents a perfect
symbiosis between pioneering design and cutting-edge eco-compatible technology. Solar
Tree opens up new prospects for urban lighting in that it satisfies today’s most pressing
environmental, social, cultural and aesthetic demands.

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1.1 WHAT IS A SOLAR TREE

A solar tree is a decorative means of producing solar energy and also electricity. It
uses multiple no of solar panels which forms the shape of a tree. The panels are arranged
in a tree fashion in a tall tower/pole.
TREE stands for
T= TREE GENERATING
R=RENEWABLE
E=ENERGY and
E=ELECTRICITY
This is like a tree in structure and the panels are like leaves of the tree which
produces energy.

Fig:1.1 Solar tree

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1.2 WHY WE CALLED IT AS SOLAR TREE

As we know trees are present in nature and they can produce their own food
material by the process called PHOTOSYNTHESIS. It is the process by which the green
plant collects energy from sun and the water present in soil at the day time and can
produces their own food material. By this process they are indirectly providing food to
the human society because we are depending on the green plants for our food directly or
indirectly.
Here we are considering the example for understanding about the solar tree. This
is a tree in which the stems connected acts as the branches of the tree and the solar panels
are like the leaves. Green leaves are producing food materials for human beings likewise
these leaves are producing energy for the society. So, it is very appropriate to called it as
a tree.

Fig:1.2 Normal Tree Solar Tree

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1.3 WHY IT IS NEEDED

 Due to less land requirement:
It is the best option of energy generation because it requires very less land
as compare to the traditional photovoltaic system. Now a day’s land becomes the costliest
commodity for the human society because of high population growth. Example – To
generate 2 MW power from a photovoltaic module we require 10 -12 acres of land for
housing of panels only. But for the same amount of energy we require only 0.10-0.12
acres of land in case of solar tree. So, we require such a plant which can generate
maximum energy using minimum land.
 Efficient energy generation:
It can generate energy very efficiently as compare to traditional system.
Due to the technique called spiraling phyllotaxy its efficiency further increases. We can
also use the technique called SPIRALLING PHYLLATAXY to improve the efficiency of
the plant. It can be applied in street lightening system, industrial power supply etc. It is
much better than the traditional solar photovoltaic system in area point of view and also
more efficient. Though it is somehow costly but as compare to all cost involve in
traditional system it is more efficient.
 It can collect energy from wind:
As the name suggest this is a device to generate energy from sun but it has
some unique feature to generate energy from wind. The stem is flexible so that they can
rotate in any direction and by shaking themselves they produce energy also from wind as
in the case of a natural tree. The unique technique is that flexible panels connected to the
stem which can be rotated as our desire. So that flexibility avoidance of wind pressure
can be possible. Flexibility offers manual rotating so that maximum power can be
obtained.

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CHAPTER 2

WORKING PRINCIPLE

2.1 INTRODUCTION ABOUT SOLAR CELL

A solar cell (photovoltaic cell or photoelectric cell) is a solid-state electrical
device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect.
The energy of light is transmitted by photons-small packets or quantum of light.
Electrical energy is stored in electromagnetic fields, which in turn can make a current of
electrons flow. Assemblies of solar cells are used to make solar modules which are used
to capture energy from sunlight. When multiple modules are assembled together (such as
prior to installation on a pole mounted tracker system), the resulting integrated group of
modules all oriented in one plane is referred as a solar panel. The electrical energy
generated from solar modules, is an example of solar energy. Photovoltaic is the field of
technology and research related to the practical application of photovoltaic cells in
producing electricity from light, though it is often used specifically to refer to the
generation of electricity from sunlight. Cells are described as photovoltaic cells when the
light source is not necessarily sunlight. These are used for detecting light or other
electromagnetic radiation near the visible range, for example infrared detectors, or
measurement of light intensity.

2.2 HOW SOLAR CELLS WORKS

Solar cells, which largely are made from crystalline silicon work on the principle
of Photoelectric Effect that this semiconductor exhibits. Silicon in its purest form-
Intrinsic Silicon doped with a doping impurity to yield Extrinsic Silicon of desired
characteristic (p-type or n-type Silicon). When p and n type silicon combine, they result
in formation of potential barrier.
Working of Solar cells can thus be based on two crystalline structure
 Intrinsic Silicon
 Extrinsic Silicon

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Intrinsic Silicon:
Silicon has some special chemical properties, especially in its crystalline form. An
atom of silicon has 14 electrons, arranged in three different shells. The first two shells-
which hold two and eight electrons respectively- are completely full. The outer shell,
however, is only half full with just four electrons (Valence electrons). A silicon atom will
always look for ways to fill up its last shell, and to do this, it will share electrons with
four nearby atoms. It's like each atom holds hands with its neighbors, except that in this
case, each atom has four hands joined to four neighbors. That's what forms the crystalline
structure. The only problem is that pure crystalline silicon is a poor conductor of
electricity because none of its electrons are free to move about, unlike the electrons in
more optimum conductors like copper.
Extrinsic silicon:
Extrinsic silicon in a solar cell has added impurity atoms purposefully mixed in
with the silicon atoms, maybe one for every million silicon atoms. Phosphorous has five
electrons in its outer shell. It bonds with its silicon neighbor atoms having valency of 4,
but in a sense, the phosphorous has one electron that doesn't have anyone to bond with. It
doesn't form part of a bond, but there is a positive proton in the phosphorous nucleus
holding it in place. When energy is added to pure silicon, in the form of heat, it causes a
few electrons to break free of their bonds and leave their atoms. A hole is left behind in
each case. These electrons, called free carriers, then wander randomly around the
crystalline lattice looking for another hole to fall into and carry an electrical current. In
Phosphorous-doped Silicon, it takes a lot less energy to knock loose one of "extra"
phosphorous electrons because they aren't tied up in a bond with any neighboring atoms.
As a result, most of these electrons break free, and release a lot more free carriers than in
pure silicon. The process of adding impurities on purpose is called doping, and when
doped with phosphorous, the resulting silicon is called N-type ("n" for negative) because
of the prevalence of free electrons. N-type doped silicon is a much better conductor than
pure silicon. The other part of a typical solar cell is doped with the element boron, which
has only three electrons in its outer shell instead of four, to become P-type silicon. Instead
of having free electrons, P-type ("p" for positive) has free openings and carries the
opposite positive charge.

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2.3 WORKING PRINCIPLE OF A SOLAR TREE

The working principle of a solar tree is PHOTOSYNTHESIS process. When
photons hit a solar cell, they knock electrons loose from their atoms. If conductors are
attached to the positive and negative sides of a cell, it forms an electrical circuit. When
electrons flow through such a circuit, they generate electricity. Photovoltaic cell converts
sunlight into electric energy and this effect is known as photovoltaic effect.
The Solar tree panels charge batteries during the day. At dusk the solar tree
automatically switches on its LED's. The internal control can also regulate the amount of
light produced depending on how much charge is left in the batteries. And more over the
energy stored in the batteries can be used for electricity.

Fig:3.3 Working of a solar panel

2.4 Photovoltaic Effect:

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The electric field is formed when the N-type and P-type silicon come into contact.
Suddenly, the free electrons on the N side combine the openings on the P side. Right at
the junction, they combine and form something of a barrier, making it harder and harder
for electrons on the N side to cross over to the P side (called POTENTIAL BARRIER).
Eventually, equilibrium is reached, and an electric field separating the two sides is set up.
This electric field acts as a diode, allowing (and even pushing) electrons to flow from the
P side to the N side, but not the other way around. It's like a hill -- electrons can easily go
down the hill (to the N side), but can't climb it (to the P side).
When light, in the form of photons, hits solar cell, its energy breaks apart
electron-hole pairs (Photoelectric effect). Each photon with enough energy will normally
free exactly one electron, resulting in a free hole as well. If this happens close enough to
the electric field, or if free electron and free hole happen to wander into its range of
influence, the field will send the electron to the N side and the hole to the P side. This
causes further disruption of electrical neutrality, and if an external current path is
provided, electrons will flow through the path to the P side to unite with holes that the
electric field sent there, doing work for us along the way. The electron flow provides the
current, and the cell's electric field causes a voltage. The final step is to install something
that will protect the cell from the external elements- often a glass cover plate. PV
modules are generally made by connecting several individual cells together to achieve
useful levels of voltage and current, and putting them in a sturdy frame complete with
positive and negative terminals.

CHAPTER 3
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DESIGN OF A SOLAR TREE

3.1 COMPONENTS OF A SOLAR TREE

The solar tree consists of some important parts in its design. They are as follows:

 Solar panels

 Long tower

 LDEs

 Batteries

 Stems for connecting the panels

3.1.1 SOLAR PANELS:

The photons hit a solar cell, they knock electrons loose from their atoms. If
conductors are attached to the positive and negative sides of a cell, it forms an electrical
circuit when electrons flow through such a circuit, they generate electricity. Photovoltaic
cell Converts sunlight into electric energy and this effect is known as photovoltaic effect.
The Solar panels are made of silicon, like semiconductors. They are constructed with a
positive layer and a negative layer, which together create an electric field, just like in a
battery.

Fig:3.1.1 Solar panels

3.1.2 LONG TOWER:

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The long tower is used for connecting solar panels and wires which is used for
transforming the power from solar panels to battery. The material used for tower is Steel.

Fig:3.1.2 Long tower

3.1.3 BATTERIES:
Battery is a collection two or more chemical cell. Which is used for store the
energy from the solar panels. Generally, Li-ion, Lead acid, NiCad batteries are used to
store the electrical energy.

Fig:3.1.3

Fig:3.1.3 Batteries

3.1.4 LED'S (Light Emitting Diode):

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A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor light source. LEDs are used as

indicator lamps in many devices and are increasingly used for other lighting. Appearing
as practical electronic components in 1962, early LEDs emitted low-intensity red light,
but modern versions are available across the visible, ultraviolet, and infrared
wavelengths, with very high brightness.

Fig:3.1.4 LED

 The solar tree is also having stems for connecting the panels.

3.2 DESIGN OF A SOLAR TREE

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The SPIRALLING PHYLLATAXY is a technique used in designing of solar tree.

Phyllataxy is a botanical word, in which phyllon means "leaf" and taxis means
"arrangement”. Phyllataxy is the arrangement of leaves on a plant stem. It provides the
way to help the lower panels from the shadow of upper ones, so that it can track
maximum power from sun. This technology is used to improve the efficiency of the plant.
Designed a solar tree using an array of solar panels of solar cells as leaves. The
solar cells on the tree were able to store enough electricity. We planned to design green
stems constructed of steel pipes supporting a light bulb in which solar cells are
connected. In place of branches we use solar panel which has to produce voltage. Battery
is hidden at the ground base which is closed with proper material. The branch of the solar
tree was decorated with LED lights at the tip.

Fig:3.2 Design of a solar tree

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 The structure consists in curved steel poles of different diameters, with an

overall height of 5.5 meters.
 Each of the 10 “grass stalks” (ø 40 mm) has a 1W LED at its end protected by
a lens in PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate).
 The 10 heads, which are capped by photovoltaic cells, are supported by poles
76 mm in diameter; 20 white LEDs of 1 W each are situated at the bottom part
of 4 of these poles on an aluminum diffuser; a PMMA lens holds them in
place.
 The base is made of reinforced concrete.
 The electrical connection/control box is housed in plastic at the foot of the
base, and consists in:
• 212V–240Ah batteries
• Cable junction box for the 10 solar panels
• Cable junction box for the 10 LED heads and 4 LED lamps
• Electronic controls for battery charger
• Electronic feed for connecting to public lighting grid
• Electronic controls for LED heads and lamps.

LED:
Power of each head: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22W
Luminous flux of each head: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1250 lm
Colour temperature: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6000 K
Solar Panels:
Tension: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12V
Peak power of each panel: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38W

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3.3 EXAMPLES OF A SOLAR TREE

3.3.1 Ross Lovegrove's Solar Tree:
It was invented in 2007 in London. Ross Lovegrove’s original design consist of
steel pipes having length of 5.5 m supporting for a panels.Which consists of 38 solar
cells, each with 38 watt capacity, connected to a hidden 12V battery. In 2012 Lovegrove
was awarded the ecology prize for his work with the solar tree.

Fig:3.3.1Ross Lovegrove's Solar tree

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3.3.2 Solar Power Tree In INDIA

In 2016, CSIR(Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute), Durgapur,
West Bengal, India invented the solar tree. The developed solar tree is capable of
generating the electricity in tune of 3-7 KWH with a bare footprint of 2x2 sqft area.

Fig:3.3.2 Solar power tree in INDIA

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CHAPTER 4

ADVANTAGES & APPLICATIONS

4.1 ADVANTAGES:
 Ecologically Friendly: For obvious reasons, the use of solar panels is Eco-
friendly and considered one of the “greenest” electricity resources. Because they
operate by interacting with a renewable energy source, sunlight, there is no fear of
depleting yet another natural resource.
 Low Maintenance: Solar panels have no moveable parts and are very simple to
use. After being set up properly, they do not need to be tinkered with and will
continuing working for many years. In fact, many manufacturers have 25-year
warranties on their panels.
 Decreased Electrical Bill: By switching to solar energy, you will save money on
your electrical bills every month. Even if electricity bills continue raising in the
next few months you will have the peace of mind knowing that your energy
source is based on solar power.
 High Efficiency: No matter where you live, the chances are that you can
successfully use solar panels for your electrical needs. They are rugged and are
very adaptable to climate conditions and the latest panel models are efficient
enough to work well without facing directly south and some will even produce
electricity under cloud cover.
 Land requirement is very less : It is the best option of energy generation
because it requires very less land as compare to the traditional photovoltaic
system. So, we require such a plant which can generate maximum energy using
minimum land.
Regardless of who you are or what type of home you have, solar power is
one of the best ways to provide you and your family with electricity without causing
more damage to our planet. There are many ways to take advantage of the savings gained
from solar panel systems. Not only does it help you save by cutting your energy
requirement from the utility company, it may also allow you to lock in a lower solar

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power rate. By using the electricity produced by your unit during the day, (when rates are
at their highest), and using the utility company's power in the evening, (when the rates are
at their lowest), you will lower your overall cost for all of your electrical use. There are
also many rebates available to help you save 40-60% on the cost of acquiring your
system. For more information on rebates and incentives for installing a solar power
system on your home or business look up "Energy Incentives" on the IRS website or
check with your local tax adviser for details.

4.2 DIS ADVANTAGES

1. Operating and maintenance cost is high
2. May cause hazards to the birds and insects
3. Hazards to eyesight from solar reflectors

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4.3 APPLICATIONS

 Street lights

 House supply

 Industrial power supply

 Charging solts for E Vehicles

 Mobile charging

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CONCLUSION AND FUTURE SCOPE

To fulfils the increasing energy demand the people, Saving of land, this project is
very successful one.This can provide electricity without any power cut problem.The extra
energy can be provided by the solar tree is very easily and we can charge our electrical
vehicles and also enrich the environement with eco-friendly.
For the traditional system we require large size of land to generate a small amount
of power. It requires about 1% land as compare to the traditional system. Solar energy is
available in abundance and considered as the easiest and cleanest means of tapping the
renewable energy.For direct conversion of solar radiation into usable form, the routes are:
solar thermal, solar photovoltaic and solar architecture. However the main problem
associated with tapping solar energy is the requirement to install large solar collectors
requires a very big space. To avoid this problem we can install a solar tree in spite of a no
of solar panels which require a very small space.

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REFERENCES

[1] Shukla Akash Kumar, Sudhakar K, Baredar Prashant. Renewable energy resources in
South Asian countries: challenges, policy and recommendations. Resour-Effic Technol
2015.

[2] Kumar BS, Sudhakar K. Performance evaluation of connected solar photovoltaic

power plant in India. Energy Rep 2015;1:184–92.

[3] Yadav S, Sudhakar K. Different domestic designs of solar stills: a review. Renew
Sustain Energy Rev 2015;47:718–31.

[4] Jenny Nelson, The Physics of Solar Cells, Imperial College Press, 2003.

[5] Solar Tree Documentary, http://www.motionlab.at/projects/content-production/solar-

tree-documentary.

[6] Solar Tree Foundation, http://solartree.org/index.html.

[7] Solar Tree – Artemide, http://www.artemide.us/pdfs/solartree.pdf.

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