Solar powered 'bonsai tree' charger for smartphones

Designed by Frenchman Vivien Muller, who describes his creation as “part sculpture, part appliance” the Electree+ features 27 miniature amorphous-silicon square solar panels, each 3.7 inches wide and will cost in the region of £280. Hidden at the base of the solar bonsai tree is a 14,000mAh battery which stores the harnessed solar energy. At full capacity the device is capable of charging a tablet, such as an iPad, twice and an iPhone at least nine times.

Any smartphone or electronic gadget can be charged via the device as long as it utilises a USB connection. When the battery is completely drained the Electree+ requires a good 36 hours of exposure to daylight to charge back up. However, according to the product’s creators the device will have enough energy to charge a smartphone after just four hours of daylight exposure.

As reported by Digital Spy, the Electree+ project – which is keen to promote the benefits of renewable energy to reduce our reliance on expensive fossil fuels – has been four years in the making. Given that we’re a nation of gadget lovers, consumed by electronics and an obsession for the latest energy hungry technology, there certainly would appear to be a market for innovative solar powered products that utilise renewable energy.