Solar Powered Eco Bench

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This Solar Bench  was funded through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant. The goal of the project is to build climate resilient communities through clean energy, job training and community engagement. This bench provides a clean energy source for community members. The solar powered bench is meant to educate communities while providing a sustainable power source in case of emergency. The Solar Power Charging Bench was built and designed in collaboration with the Groundwork New Orleans and Tulane’s Albert and Tina Small Center for Collaborative. Current Sites NET Charter HS Gentilly Campus and Healthy Community Services - 7th Ward Green Block Duels Street.

Solar panels convert sunlight into DC electricity. The current is sent from the panel to an inverter and converted in usable AC energy that is transferred to batteries  and the module to allow you to charge your phone here at any time of day!  

The sloped roof directs stormwater towards a flow-through planter which slows the water and allows it to return to the ground instead of sending water to storm drains where it  has to be pumped out of the city.  The stormwater is metered to collect data on the actual amount collected, stored and re-introduced into the system. 

 Live weather data collection to analyze heat, rain, humidity, and barometric pressure. 

Through our National Fish and Wildlife Grant, Groundwork New Orleans will install three (3) more Solar Powered ECO Benches in New Orleans heavy street flooding Neighborhoods!