The solar industry has been rapidly expanding over the past decade with solar panels becoming a common sight on both residential and commercial rooftops across the world. However, solar technology is now moving beyond traditional installations and finding innovative new applications. One such innovative application is the solar powered chair which is gaining popularity as a sustainable furniture option.

Emergence of Solar Chairs

The concept of a solar powered chair first emerged in the late 2000s with some early prototype designs. However, it was not until around 2015 that commercially viable solar chair designs started appearing on the market. One of the earliest mass produced solar chair models was the EcoPowerChair launched by a US based startup in 2016. This chair had a foldable design with an integrated 10W solar panel on the backrest to charge built-in batteries.

Over the next few years, several other furniture and tech companies started launching their versions of the solar chair with improved designs, features and capacity. By 2020, there were over a dozen established solar chair brands offering various styles ranging from basic folding camp chairs to premium outdoor lounge chairs. Solar tables and benches also started appearing during this period utilizing the same technology. Today, solar powered furniture has become a mid-sized market niche within the broader green technology industry.

Design Innovation and Features

Early Solar Chair designs focused on basic battery charging functionality but modern designs now offer many innovative features. Foldable and lightweight frames make the chairs portable for outdoor activities like camping trips. Larger solar panels of 15-20W capacity can fully charge built-in batteries within 6-8 hours of sunlight exposure. LED lighting and USB ports allow using the chairs as work stations even after sunset.

Bluetooth speakers integrated into some premium models let users stream music direct from their phones. Self-inflating designs eliminate the hassle of manual inflation. Additional features like cup holders and tool-free assembly further enhance user experience. Environmentally friendly materials like bamboo, recycled plastic and aluminum are also being utilized increasingly in solar furniture manufacturing.