Solar trees planted at Cambridge University - 20/10/2010
Consumers wanting to compare gas and electricity prices might be interested to learn about the new 'solar trees' that have been planted at the University of Cambridge.
Installed in the grounds outside the University Library, the four high-tech devices use solar energy to produce around ten per cent of the building's archive stores' energy needs.
Christine Howe, director of architectural firm Sadler Brown, which co-designed the trees, commented: "We knew we had to think outside the box to develop a solution that was in keeping with the traditional design of the library while also generating enough energy to satisfy building standards."
The solar trees form part of the final stage of a £40 million extension scheme to the Grade-II listed library and were designed with the original library windows in mind.
Meanwhile, home and business energy users in the north-east are set to receive smart meters as part of the UK's largest smart grid project.
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