Displayed at NYU’s Interactive Telecommunication Program Spring 2008, the Helios Power Tree is a design aimed at taking the conventional eco-power generation technology to the next level. Created by Oscar G. Torres, the Helios features thin solar cells as leaves which are connected to the large battery installed at the base of the tree via a network that runs through branches and trunk. A USB hub located at the tree’s base allows people to charge their gizmos using the solar power stored by the “tree”. Currently the small-scale fully-functional model is made in Styrofoam and when you touch one of the branches a charge runs through the tree allowing you to see the channel of the power within the design. The project is meant to be installed in public spaces and urban parks and will rely entirely on solar power to charge and light the blue lights around the tree. The designer has proposed that full-sized models of the Helios Power Tree be installed in public spaces to provide free power-charging stations to citizens and also to serve as handy and functional public art.
