We unveiled the Powersol, a first-of-its-kind solar-powered parasol designed to keep beachgoers’ phones and devices charged while they enjoy a day by the sea. With nearly one in three Brits admitting that they’ve cut a beach trip short because their phone battery was running low, here was Hive’s way of helping them feel more in control.
The Powersol was a great example of making the most of renewable energy in everyday life. Harnessing the power of the sun, the parasol could be used on the beach to keep gadgets topped up throughout the day, as well as providing shade for beachgoers – with phone glare being another of the frustrations identified as a major beach day frustration.
We announced the Powersol to the press via a shoot on Brighton beach, and also invited content creators down to showcase the technology on their social channels. The announcement was supported by research into 21st century beach grumbles, with technology now playing a major role in how people enjoy their day at the coast. A whopping 84% of Gen Zs surveyed said they worry that their tech will get damaged at the beach, whilst 72% confessed that a dying phone battery puts a dampener on an otherwise perfect day by the sea.
From timeless beach day bugbears to the growing challenge of staying connected outdoors, Hive’s Powersol was a great way of helping beachgoers stay powered up for longer. And as a brand committed to creating smart, connected technology, it was a great reflection of the rising popularity of solar, with tens of thousands of homes installing solar and batteries to take more control over their energy use.
