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Point.One S by EIGHT and BMW<a href="http://inhabitat.com/energy" target="_blank">Eco-friendly technology</a> is looking better than ever thanks to innovations like the recently launched Point.One S - BMW’s first solar charging point for their <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/bmw-i3/" target="_blank">i3</a> and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/bmw-i8" target="_blank">i8</a> electric vehicles. Designed by the German firm <a href="http://www.eight.eu" target="_blank">EIGHT</a>, the modern energy-charging hub features a long solar canopy that flares out in the shape of a curved bird wing. The first charging station was installed in front of the entrance of BMW Welt in Munich and was created as part of a national program to develop and popularize e-mobility in Germany.1
Point.One S by EIGHT and BMWInspired by the hyper-modern Coop Himmelb(l)au-designed architecture at BMW Welt, Point.One S's sleek organic shape blends superior functionality and design into a symbol for environmentally friendly e-mobility.2
Point.One S by EIGHT and BMWThe wing-like canopy is topped by an array of solar panels and lined with a smart LED-based illumination system that alerts users at a distance whether the station is booked, occupied, or available for charging.3
Point.One S by EIGHT and BMWThe station also features an integrated touch screen to increase the user-friendliness of its intuitive interface.4
Point.One S by EIGHT and BMWSince the solar charging stations were developed in an effort to popularize e-mobility nationwide, EIGHT used parametric digital product planning to make the Point.One S design easily modified to fit a variety of environments.5
Point.One S by EIGHT and BMWEIGHT also developed a highly efficient manufacturing system for the Point.One S to keep construction waste and energy consumption to a minimum.6
Point.One S by EIGHT and BMWWhen the solar stations aren’t charging e-vehicles, surplus electricity generated by the solar array can feed back into the national power grid.7
