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The City Council is launching a new kind of Christmas lighting with four trees using solar energy captured during daylight with the help of a photovoltaic panel and two more that will work interactively.

The Christmas trees made of six steel structures nearly twelve metres high and 5 in diameter are designed to transmit a message of sustainability and efficiency through one of the traditional features of Christmas.

The four solar energy trees will be located in Plaça Espanya, Passeig Lluís Companys-Parc de la Ciutadella, Avinguda Pau Casals-Plaça Francesc Macià and Passeig Fabra i Puig-Avinguda Meridiana.

"You can find ways of enjoying a warm and brightly lit Christmas which represent a saving in energy expenditure ", said Fifth Deputy Mayor Imma Mayol.

The four solar-powered trees will operate 24 hours a day, absorbing light during the day and lighting up at night using small LED bulbss.

The two interactive trees are lit by human traction, in other words, two static bikes which, when they are being pedaled, operate a multi-coloured lighting system.

As more people pedal, the lights will become brighter. These trees will operate Monday to Saturday, from 6 to 8.30pm, in front of Santa Caterina market and the Jardinets de Gràcia.

According to designer Martirià Figueres, the trees represent different ways to get across to people the need for efficiency and reduced energy consumption.