Solar-Powered Umbrellas

The pilot project focused on the reliability of solar-powered convertible umbrellas. SL Rasch produced 12 units of equal size with membranes in different fabrics and had them erected on the Red Sea coast. They were opened and closed more than 40,000 times to simulate 30 years of operation. The aim was to ensure that the battery, motor, lifting cylinder, cast aluminium joints and membranes would withstand long-term exposure to the wind, sand and sun. The results of testing the independently functioning umbrellas generated a fundamental trust in the architecture and technology of convertible shading structures.