Each time a new product that utilizes solar energy is revealed, it becomes increasingly clear how difficult it is to predict the form and function of future applications of solar technology. One day you could be pedaling along in a solar-powered bike helmet, and the next you could be online tracking the 24-hour historic flight of a solar-powered airplane.

Yesterday, Envision Solar announced it would be venturing into the Pennsylvania solar market to unveil what architect and Envision Solar Founder and CEO Robert Noble is calling, “Solar Forestation.” The San Diego, California-based solar company will receive financing from the state of Pennsylvania for this latest project.

Here’s the deal:

When you look at the wattage number quoted on solar power systems, it’s more than likely referring to peak watts. Peak watts are the number of watts the system will produce when sunlight is provided in optimal conditions. The actual output is generally lower, particularly in the morning and late afternoon hours. If you mount the panels on a single-axis tracker, it allows them to tilt and follow the sun all day long, thus increasing the output. If you have a two-axis tracker, your panels can adjust to a low or high sun, again increasing the output to what is actually advertised on your system.

According to the New York Times, Envision will be trying out this axis technology and bringing “solar trees” to Pennsylvania parking lots. The solar panels will be mounted on gimbals that track the sun east to west and north to south. The setup purportedly increases electricity output by 20 percent more compared to a fixed-panel array. Made specifically for parking lots, the trees provide shade and cover for parked cars. Plug-in hybrids and all-electric cars of the (hopefully very near) future could charge up while parked, to boot.