Extraordinary solar eTree transforms public seating
The simplest version has two leaves of solar panels, each producing 1,400 watts per hour — plenty of electricity for the integrated water cooler. A midrange model has both a water cooler and a docking station, and the deluxe eTree with seven panels offers all the bells and whistles. “We’ve just now started active sales,” says Lasry. “Our idea is to bring this concept everywhere.” Locally, he’d like to see eTrees installed at points along the Israel National Trail, “because it supplies everything you need along the way.”
Like Abraham’s tent
Municipalities could purchase eTrees, and so could philanthropic organizations and corporations looking for a “green” project that provides free services and environmental awareness to the community. Lasry says that eTrees are built to withstand harsh weather conditions and are therefore appropriate for just about any urban or suburban neighborhood, corporate or college campus, park, museum, community center and other public space. “It’s like Abraham’s tent, sitting at a junction where you can enter from any side,” says Lasry, referring to the biblical forefather’s legendary tent of welcome. “It doesn’t ask you any questions; you just sit down and recharge your mobile and your soul, relax and have a cool drink.”
The units need minimal ongoing care. “The only thing required for maintenance is cleaning the panels every four or five months, and the battery must be filled each year with water, though the next generation of batteries will be maintenance-free,” says Lasry. A locked concrete box protects the inner workings from weather and vandalism. “You can open it only with a key,” he says. “The whole eTree is very safe. We worked with six different engineers, including a safety engineer and a materials engineer, and the unit works on low DC voltage.”
Sologic is based in Binyamina and has 10 employees. For more information on the eTree, click here.
Abigail Klein Leichman