Research Proposal

on
Design and Development of “Sheger” Solar Tree

Submitted to:
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Technology and Innovation Institute

Prepared by:
Kindie Asmamaw (Researcher I)

February 2020
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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1. Introduction

The government of Ethiopia has launched the first phase of Addis Ababa Rivers and
Riversides Green Development Project in October, 2019. The project aims to build the
image of Addis Ababa as a city reflecting its name – New Flower to a site of urban
tourism, enhance the well-being of city dwellers by creating public spaces, parks, bicycle
paths and walkways along the river banks and enable the aspiration of a green economy
by expanding green spaces and creating riverside economies. It is underway to create a
beautiful and healthy environment for residents of the city and tourists. The proposed
research project is in line with “Beautifying the Sheger Project” and its name is called
Sheger Solar Tree. Trees can produce their own food by the process called
photosynthesis. The Sheger Solar Tree is a metal structure that looks like a real life tree
consists of stem, multiple branches and solar panels as leaves. Green leaves produce
food for human beings; likewise, these leaves produce electricity for the society which
can be used for powering mobile phones, portable computers, LED lamps and other
devices that is why it very appropriate to call it as a tree.

Sheger Solar Tree can be considered as a solar artwork which includes artistic and
technological effort for installing the solar panels in various angles and position on a
tree like structure with a tall tower/pole thus saving a huge amount of space when
installing it by conventional method. The solar tree consists of a number of branches welded
to a stem and each branch has a solar panel mounted on it. The solar tree consists of solar
panels arranged in a spiral fashion around a pole such that shadow of one panel does not fall on
other.

Sheger Solar Tree will have a stem and 10 branches on which solar panels to be
mounted on it and connected to one another in series and parallel connections. The 10
branches represent 10 regional states of the country and the connections - parallel
series demonstrate that a typical regional state is both independent and dependent on
other regional states. Sheger Solar Tree intends to incorporate an innovative design
urban furniture (circular shape around the stem/trunk) with a public bench for 12
people, a built-in USB charging hub for 6 mobile devices (smartphones and tablets), a
supply terminal block with six 220V power sockets for laptops and electric bicycles as
well as a stylish tree-shaped public lighting. The Sheger Solar Tree is fully powered by 20
solar photovoltaic panels which, at night, act as luminescent leaves of selectable color.

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Working of Sheger Solar Tree

The Solar Tree panels transform solar energy to electrical energy. The solar panels
charge batteries during the daytime; and excess amount of energy is stored in the
batteries. The internal automatic control and monitoring unit can also regulate the solar
tree panels output and how much charge is left in the batteries. The Solar tree used for
lighting purpose is a sensor based lighting system. A sensor measures an amount of
light in the atmosphere and triggers the solar lamps to switch ON LED automatically at
sunset and OFF at dawn.

The following pictures show that some of the solar trees installed around the world.

Fig.1: Solar Tree in Gleisdorf (Austria) Fig.2: Solar Tree in Vels (Great Britain)

2. Objective

The main objective of this research proposal is to provide public solar charging services
and other amenities to local and foreign visitors for free in the compound of Addis
Ababa Rivers and Riversides Development Project. In order to achieve the overall
objective of the research project, the following specific objectives should be met. Its
specific objectives are listed as follows:
 Design and develop a prototype of the Sheger Solar Tree,
 Site selection for the installation of the Solar Tree,
 Procurement of required materials for the research project,
 Installation, testing and handover the product to concerned body.

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3. Materials and Methods

There are several materials that are used in development of a Solar Tree. The Sheger
Solar Tree consists mainly of the following components:
Solar PV modules: There are multiple solar panels used in the solar tree for harnessing
maximum power output from the solar energy. The solar panels are mounted in
different directions to increase the surface area in order to capture more sunlight.
Module Mounting Structures: The mounting structures include long metallic
tower/pole, stem and branches of the Solar Tree. The metallic tower provides structural
integrity to the solar tree to build, and thus make the solar tree to withstand in any climatic
condition. The metallic stem and branches are also used for supporting the mounted solar
panels, lights and battery packs. The metallic stem and branches provides different positions
and angles to the solar panels for capturing solar energy.
Battery Packs and Inverters: Battery packs are used to store the generated electrical energy
from the solar panels and then store it in the form of chemical energy for further use in the
future. The stored chemical energy is then converted to electrical energy upon uses. It
accumulates energy and make Sheger Solar tree function for more than 3 days without
sunshine. Inverter may be installed so as to convert the DC power generated by the Solar Tree to
AC power for charging laptop computers, electric bicycles and etc.
Solar Charge Controllers: A charge controller, charge regulator or battery regulator limits
the rate at which electric current is added to or drawn from electric batteries. It prevents
overcharging and may protect against overvoltage, which can reduce battery performance or
lifespan, and may pose a safety risk. It may also prevent completely draining a battery or
perform controlled discharges, depending on the battery technology to protect battery life.
LED Bulbs: LED lights will be attached to the solar tree and thus shining every corner around
the solar tree with light. The number of LED lights will be equivalent to the number of solar
panels to be installed.
Cables and Connectors: It is used to connect one solar PV panels to another and they
are usually come from along with the solar panels.
Lightning Arrestor and Earthing: The Solar tree should be provided with lightning
protection in order to protect the entire solar PV array from lightning stroke. Necessary
concrete foundation for holding the lightning conductor in position will be made after
giving due consideration to maximum wind speed and maintenance requirement at site
in future. Each lightning conductor shall be fitted with individual earth pit as per
required standards including accessories. Necessary provision shall be made for bolted
isolating joints of each earthing pit for periodic checking of earth resistance. All non-

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current carrying metal parts shall be earthed with two separate and distinct earth
continuity conductors to an efficient earth electrode.

Prior to developing the Solar Tree, a detailed design will be conducted. The three
dimensional 3D model of the Solar Tree will be designed using CAD modeling software
and PVsyst software will also be employed for calculation and selection of elements for
the PV system and simulate the power output using input data for the proposed
location.

4. Project Deliverables

The expected deliverables include the detailed solar tree components design report of
the product and prototype of the Sheger solar tree.

5. Benefits of Sheger Solar Tree

The Solar Tree project contributes to job opportunity during installation and operation
of the system. Upon completion of the project, it has a lot of benefits including:

 Enable free access of energy for charging of mobile and portable laptop devices,
 Provision of free WIFI service and/or with small payment internet package in the
in places nearby the Solar Tree,
 Powering appliances such as public solar clock, public radio, vending machine,
electric bicycle, advertising boards and night elimination (bright top lighting/LED
lamps), and street lights,
 Shaded recreation area with benches offers a meeting place and social sharing,
 Rendering information like important city locations, phone numbers, institutions
and addresses which could be accessed by everyone can be provided by several
interactive info panels,
 Uplifting the public awareness, understanding and adoption of renewable and
sustainable sources of energy,
 Enhancing the aesthetic value for the public recreational park which is
undertaken by the Addis Ababa Rivers and Riversides Development Project.

6. Project Implementation and Estimated Budget

The research project lead, Technology Research and Development Directorate

/Technology and Innovation Institute will be responsible to actively engage relevant

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stakeholders during implementation of the main project activities. This project will also
be implemented in collaboration with Addis Ababa City Administration/Prime Minister’s
Office. Addis Ababa City Administration will mainly involved in selecting appropriate site
for the Sheger Solar Tree Project take into account the plan of Addis Ababa Rivers and
Riversides Development Project. The Technology and Innovation Institute will be
responsible for allocation and management of all finance and project results, and all
financial reports will be cleared by Technology Research and Development Directorate.
The Project Implementation Unit (PIC) under the Institute will also lead the research
project in collaboration with assigned experts from of Technology Research and
Development Directorate. The research project will be implemented till September 2020.
The main activities of the project along with its implementation schedule are presented
in the following table below.

Sr. Implementation Period Estimated

No Main research activities cost (Birr)
Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug
1 Discussion with relevant stakeholders ………..

2 Design, system sizing and Simulate for ………..

Sheger Solar Tree Components
3 Site Selection for the Solar Tree to be ………..
installed
4 Procurement of Solar Tree Components ………..
5 Installation, testing and commissioning ………..
of Sheger Solar Tree
Handover the Solar Tree to Addis
6 Ababa City Administration/Prime ………..
Minister’s Office