Solar benches

[Cyberduke]

Hi, during my holidays in December I found these solar benches in the north of Germany near Aurich.

As you can see there is a USB port on the side that will be able to charge your cellphone. With further inspection, there is a website on the bench (https://www.ibench.eu/en/) which contains technical specs which lists a bunch of "Smart features" and ofcource a build in battery into the bench. 

Now, I would think if you put the solar panels over the bench on a little roof to provide a shady sitting area then you would not reduce the solar panel efficiency when the bench is being in used as seating. The solar panels can also be angled correctly to increase the efficiency even more. But then you loose the marketing aspect of having solar panel benches I suppose

[Kean]

Flat glass over panels = lower efficiency, plus condensation build up making it even worse.  Any condensation would naturally run off if it was part of an angled roof.

I also cannot imagine the unprotected USB sockets lasting too long in the outdoors...

[mikeselectricstuff]

Flat glass over panels = lower efficiency, plus condensation build up making it even worse.  Any condensation would naturally run off if it was part of an angled roof.

I also cannot imagine the unprotected USB sockets lasting too long in the outdoors...

They  look like they also have wireless charging.

Even indoors, public USB sockets don't last well so wireless wouldbe teh way to go.
And the condensation indicates they've not been designed well. 

Compared to other solar boondoggles, not a totally stupid idea to provide charging in places with no mains feed.

[tom66]

I mean, compared to solar roadways it's at least somewhat practical.  In typical usage probably only part of the array is shaded whilst charging, and if the battery is decent it might actually work with both halves covered. 

It looks like the USB port is a module that can be replaced.  Looks like the ones used on buses around here actually, a bit like a cigarette lighter USB charger permanently glued in place (though expect it is a little different!) 

[Cyberduke]

Yeah I agree, it could be something practical. And is definitely not in the class of solar roadways. But it could have been so much better if they just gave up on the "Seat made of solar panel" novelty and put it over the bench on a little roof.

[mendip_discovery]

That could be interesting to sit on during a hot summers day.

[tom66]

Yeah I agree, it could be something practical. And is definitely not in the class of solar roadways. But it could have been so much better if they just gave up on the "Seat made of solar panel" novelty and put it over the bench on a little roof.

That would probably cost more money though and be a little more visually obtrusive, so I can see why they went with this design. 

[SiliconWizard]

Nice condensation.