Off-grid digital out-of-home public information LCD screen technology with solar-assisted backlight

Project Information

SolarDOOH

Grant agreement ID: 951011

DOI

10.3030/951011

Project closed

EC signature date 29 April 2020

Start date 1 May 2020

End date 30 April 2023

Funded under

• Horizon 2020 Framework Programme

Total cost

€ 3 055 330,00

EU contribution

€ 2 244 106,00

Coordinated by

IMECON SRL
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SolarDOOH (Off-grid digital out-of-home public information LCD screen technology with solar-assisted backlight)

Reporting period: 2021-08-01 to 2023-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Although the global outdoor digital signage totems market (dominated by LCD technology which offers better resolution in close proximity) is growing, there are restraints posing a threat to its continued growth: Technological limitations: Current outdoor totems cannot operate in direct sunlight due to the risk of liquid crystals of LCD melting resulting in black botches on the screen (solar clearing), thus limiting areas where totems can be installed. Also, sunlight causes LCD screens to consume a lot of power as they have to compete with the sun’s rays for the image to be visible to the human eye. High grid connection and installation costs, which can be as high as 2x the totem cost thus increasing total cost of ownership.
To address this, the SolarDOOH – Imecon (IT), S’Tile (FR), LGOptics (LV) and Agenzia del Trasporto Pubblico Locale del bacino della Città Metropolitana di Milano, Monza e Brianza, Lodi e Pavia (IT) – will commericalize the world’s first off-grid digital signage totem that is unlimited by electricity accessibility and dramatically reduces TOC (22%), O&M costs (33%), installation costs (66%) and installation time (1 day). For power, the totem will use a photovoltaic (PV) system coupled with a battery system and will incorporate an innovative solar backlight technology that uses sunlight as a complementary, rather than competing light, enabling >50% reduction in power consumption.
This technology will be integrated in smart bus shelters and provide information stream to its users. Being off-grid enables creation of mobile totems for use during mass gatherings such as concerts, marathons, demonstrations or unexpected events in cities like emergency roadblocks.
Through this project, the consortium seeks to optimize the solar backlight system, integrate and test the totem at bus shelters. Through commercialization of this solution, the consortium aims to earn 4-year cumulative turnover of ~112.94M€, profits of €28.24 million, and an ROI of 13.9.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During Period 1 Imecon, S’Tile and LGO studied the technologies to use in this project and defined the timeline for the prototype.
In the details, this consortium:
• optimized the optical layout of the system, concerning both the solar light collection system and the light distribution device rear the LCD;
• investigated about the best solution for the sizing of PV power, compatible with the physical constraints for allowing for reliable operation of totem during prolonged cloudy and rainy days;
• deployed the web-site of the project
• drawn the system integration and the final prototype

During the Period 2, the consortium deployed the project and the deliverables.
In the details SolarDOOH:
• produced the first prototype
• studied and tested the first prototype with the complete solar backlight technology
• discovered that the installation of the solar backlight technology will increase time and costs of the solution and, with the new version of the PV panels with more efficiency and less costs,
• in parallel, discovered the new version of the PV panels gives with more efficiency and less costs while the power can be satisfactory
• drawn the new system integration and the new prototype
• worked on exploitation and dissemination through the web-site, social media and static advertising
• produced 5 bus-shelter to be installed
• drawn the new Gantt plan for the on-site installations

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

During the Period1 we studied the basis of the project that will be produced and tested in Period2.
We defined the PV modules and the Battery pack for the bus-shelter and we studied the correct dimension of the solar collectors in order to have the correct balance between these 2 power technologies.
We are still working for having the SolarDOOH, the first off-grid bus-shelter that: (i) exploits solar irradiation as a complementary source of light to the traditional LED backlight, meaning the LCD no longer competes with illumination provided by the sun but collaborating with it to display a brighter image; (ii) is powered by a photovoltaic system (on the roof of the LCD) and battery system during the night and/or cloudy days; (iii) incorporates IoT to transmit up-to-date content such as weather, local news, and adverts and allow for simple user interaction such as checking a map, etc.; (iv) can be equipped with auxiliary devices such as pollution sensors, surveillance cameras or emergency contact point (via a web cam and microphone); (v) can be easily converted to a completely mobile solution for use during mass gatherings such as concerts, marathons, demonstrations or unexpected events in the cities, such as emergency roadblocks.
The signage totem will be implemented at a bus shelter which will provide sufficient roof space for sun collector and solar panels. Being off-grid, the solution will dramatically reduce the installation cost (man labour and legislative action) and O&M cost (about €1,500/year saving on electricity).
Further to this, being powered by renewable energy, they will contribute to EU’s de-carbonization goals.
During the Period2 we removed (i) the solar backlight technology, keeping alive the points: (ii) is powered by a photovoltaic system (on the roof of the LCD) and battery system during the night and/or cloudy days; (iii) incorporates IoT to transmit up-to-date content such as weather, local news, and adverts and allow for simple user interaction such as checking a map, etc.; (iv) can be equipped with auxiliary devices such as pollution sensors, surveillance cameras or emergency contact point (via a web cam and microphone); (v) can be easily converted to a completely mobile solution for use during mass gatherings such as concerts, marathons, demonstrations or unexpected events in the cities, such as emergency roadblocks.
This new solution decreases materials, time, installation costs and it will contribute to EU’s de-carbonization goals even more.

Front view of the prototype

Lateral view of the prototype

SolarDOOH bus-shelter