Unprecedented demand
for sustainable street furniture has sparked a record number of orders for
solar bollards this year, latest figures from a leading street furniture
specialist have revealed.
Nottingham-based
Townscape Products has completed projects in excess of £70,000 so far this
year, as demand for solar bollards has skyrocketed.
The firm, which
manufactures and installs street furniture across the UK, introduced its range
of solar bollards in 2016 and has seen demand for the product from councils and
architects across the country increase ever since.
Speaking about the
huge upsurge in demand for solar products, Jonathan Goss, managing director at
Townscape Products, said increasing pressure to reduce cost and improve
sustainability were the key driving factors behind the growing clamour for
solar solutions.
He said: “Everyone is
aware of the importance of reducing carbon emissions and increasing
sustainability. It’s important the street furniture industry innovates to
provide solutions that help those in charge of procuring the products which
adorn our town centres to meet these aims.
“Thanks to this
innovation, our solar technology is now advanced enough to revolutionise the
way bollards can be used. Thanks to motion-sensor technology installed in our
solar bollards, they can adjust between providing low-level lighting and
brighter lighting when approached.
“This helps increase
safety as the bollards can provide lighting in poorly lit areas. It also helps
ensure these bollards offer greater visibility for traffic at night time –
minimising the risk of collision.
"With the
bollards charged through daylight hours, there is no cost associated with
providing the lighting – making them a very cost-effective option.
“I’d go as far as to
say that within the next 10 years, the majority of the bollards we see on our
streets will be solar bollards – it’s the clear direction of travel within our
industry.
"When you see the
additional safety, sustainability and cost benefits they provide, that
shouldn’t be surprising.”
Solar bollards do not
require any electrical connections, and can provide lighting visible at 10 and
20 metres depending on their light setting.
They are powered by
ultra violet light, as opposed to sunshine, which ensures they charge
effectively on overcast days. A fully-charged solar bollard from Townscape can
provide lighting for 10 days before it needs to be charged again.
