By Theodore Geigle
The Scene staff
St. Louis Community College has added three solar-powered umbrellas to picnic tables on the Forest Park quad.
They not only provide shade but also allow people to charge cellphones, laptops and other devices.
“They have solar panels on the tops of the umbrellas, and then those solar panels turn the sunlight into electricity for students to use,” said Jason Young, campus coordinator of marketing and communications.
The umbrellas were installed on Aug. 22. They’re getting positive reviews from students so far.
“I haven’t used them much, but I like them,” said Tenshy Shaw, an education major. “They’re good for blocking out the sun, and the outlets are good for computers and phones. I’d say they’re in good use.”
“I think they’re good,” added Rabia Mohamed, a nursing student. “I like them.”
The three umbrellas cost $6,092 each for a total of $18,282. STLCC doesn’t plan to install any more.
The umbrellas are built to last with the ability to withstand 120 mph winds, according to Young. Officials expect that they won’t need to repair or replace them nearly as often as the cloth ones the campus had before.
“They provide a service to our students and allow them to use the plaza more and go outside to enjoy the weather,” Young said.
“I dig it,” said Natalie Merlo, a tutor in the writing center. “I’ve never seen (solar umbrellas) before. I hope the students use them.”