Launching the Solar Tree Project at An-Najah National University

The Center for International Grants and Projects at An-Najah National University launched the first phase of the "Off-Grid Solar Tree" project, which was installed in front of the main gate of the new campus - the Academy, with a capacity of 3.18 kilowatts, with the support of the European Commission within the framework of the ENI CBC-MED program through the MED-ECOSURE project. It is noteworthy that this tree is the first of its kind in Palestine, and mimics, in principle, the trees found in prestigious European universities.

The project aims to promote the concept of renewable energy and its importance to the student body, as it will serve researchers at the university in the fields of energy sustainability, solar energy technology and energy storage.

The tree, which is 3.5 m high, is characterized by energy generated from solar energy, with its ability to charge 100 electrical devices, including computers, mobile phones, wheelchairs, and lighting 20 LED lamps, with the possibility of controlling the time periods of their lighting during the night.
The tree consists of 3 branches, each of those branches is connected to a solar panel, and the generated electrical energy is stored as a separate system from the electrical grid.
It is noteworthy that the Center for International Grants and Projects, a partner in the Med-EcoSuRe project, has implemented, installed and operated a solar photovoltaic power plant on the roof of some of the old campus buildings at the university with a capacity of 165 kilowatts.

Soon, a 50-kilowatt solar system will be operating in the south campus garage of the College of Art on the new campus through the project.
The university is also currently working, through the Med-EcoSuRe project, to install a solar photovoltaic system on the roof of the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine with a capacity of 80 kilowatts.

The university will benefit from these projects by reducing emissions by 550 tons of carbon dioxide annually and reducing the university's electricity bill by 580 megawatt-hours annually. The project will also result in reduced use of diesel fuel during the long hours of power cuts to provide better services to students and staff.

Through these pilot projects, the university, in cooperation with the Med-EcoSuRe project partners, is jointly updating and changing the policies of Palestinian higher education institutions for sustainable development and renewable energy.

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Project Title:
Solar Tree Project at An-Najah National University

Objectives:
Increasing awareness among students and university staff of the importance of renewable energy and its applications.

Providing students of the College of Engineering with an opportunity to practically apply what is being studied in the field of energy.

Results:
Raising awareness among university students about the importance of renewable energy
Giving university students the opportunity to charge their phones and laptops.
Stimulating creativity, leadership and cooperation among university students

Beneficiaries:
Students, staff and visitors of An-Najah National University

Facts and Figures:
A separate solar power system has been installed on the university campus with a capacity of 3.18 kWp.
The system is designed to be shaped like a tree with the ability to receive the most available solar radiation.