Transforming Landscapes with Solar Smart Benches
In just a few short years, bench seating has evolved from simply offering a place to sit and relax to high tech community hubs. Benches can now be recharging stations for phones, laptops, e-bikes, and e-scooters; centers for monitoring and recording data on local environment conditions; music centers with Bluetooth speakers; Wi-Fi hotspots; and workstations with 120V power and overhead lighting—all within a compact, self-contained structure, free from any external power.
It was only seven years ago that the first solar powered smart bench with fully integrated solar panels was developed in Europe. The earliest models took the view that this new type of bench should look revolutionary in all respects, so side panels were square steel plate, painted a brilliant white with the seat basically being a flat panel housing PV cells, protected with a thick sheet of glass or polycarbonate.
Since that time, the design of solar powered benches has evolved considerably, with some benches now incorporating PV cells concealed so successfully that they resemble wood slats. Even the backrest of the seats can be used to house PV cells, increasing the power generating capacity without increasing the width or length of the seat.
Although a thick layer of shatterproof glass or polycarbonate is typically used to protect the PV cells, damage from vandalism may nevertheless be a concern with such a flat exposed surface, especially if the bench is installed in a remote location with no regular passing foot traffic. An alternative option in such locations are benches or workstations with PV cells sited 8’ or more above the ground, either mounted on a pole or incorporated in the framework of the structure. Apart from significantly mitigating the risk of vandalism, a side benefit of the elevated mounting is that the panels are generally able to be aligned at the optimum angle for maximum power generation.
In playgrounds, parks, and recreation areas, solar benches with pole mounted PV panels may often be more effectively incorporated into the overall design than flat bench models. Steel components can typically be powder coated in any RAL color to match existing play equipment or park amenities. Slatted wood seats surrounding the pole soften the overall appearance and provide adults with a handy spot to sit, watch their children play, and use their mobile devices, without the worry of a dead battery. Additional seating units in matching design and colors, but in other shapes and sizes, add to the joyful look.
At universities and colleges, solar workstations with an array of PV cells in the form of a large canopy, centrally mounted over a table and bench seats, are providing additional opportunities for students to meet and work outdoors, even after dark. The large panels not only provide some protection from the sun and rain, but supply sufficient power for overhead night lighting, USB and Qi phone charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and 120V power outlets for devices with transformers, such as laptops.
Many solar benches include basic sensors to record the local temperature, air pressure, and humidity but may also offer the option of gathering more specific environmental information such as noise level, PM2.5, PM5, NO, and Ozone. Sensors to record the number of people using the bench may also be included. Typically, readings can be monitored in real time or batch downloaded at selected intervals
In the last decade or so, we have seen small scale solar cells incorporated into all manner of outdoor equipment and facilities, solar powered seating being just one such example. As solar and battery storage technology continues to advance, and innovation in design of solar amenities continues apace, we can surely expect to see an ever-increasing use of solar power in outdoor urban amenities, bringing greater convenience, added safety and security, and greater opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.