Solar Power Traffic Lights Coming Soon

      With the help of a Delhi-based firm under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, officials of Allahabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) have decided upon installing a solar-powered traffic system within 22 crossroads of Allahabad, India. As part of its pilot project in 2012, solar panels, signal lights and other equipment were installed at four major crossroads such as Subhash crossing and Rana Pratap crossing; however, because of Maha Kumbh's preparations, the project has not been processed yet.
       The AMC had focused on starting the project at the earliest convenience. "Once the panel and other equipment are available, the solar-powered signals are to be installed at other major crossings too," Municipal Commissioner R. Vikram Singh had told Times of India (TOI).
        Last year, the solar-power traffic lights system had started phase-wise after AMC had given a no-objection certificate to a Delhi-based firm. In perspective to the fact that the solar-powered traffic signals has been successful in Agra and Bareilly, traffic police authorities have been coordinating with AMC authorities to bring them also to the city. Traffic inspector Indra Pal Singh had remarked to TOI that solar panel rooms are already in place at major crossings and that hopefully, the lights would begin to work within three months.
        Solar traffic lights are usually equipped with photovoltaic cells as well as having a solar panel attached to the top of the pole, which helps convert sunlight into electrical power. A solar charger regulates the voltage coming out of the solar panel. As this occurs, the regulated power obtained is used to charge a battery. Lighting is produced through extra-bright LED lights, which help produce an array of light that can last up to 4 years and are extremely energy efficient.
        Under this project, the previous traffic lights have already been removed and a fresh system of solar traffic lights are to be installed. The officials have also sought public cooperation in the same regard. Legal advisor of AMC, S.L. Yadev, said, "The project would help conserve energy and ensure smooth vehicular movement as solar energy would be operating the traffic lights. While one electric traffic light costs between 4 to 5 lakh, the solar signal costs around 8 lakh. Solar power is an efficient alternative provided enough energy is stored."

Las Vegas Flips Power on 15,000 Solar Panels

Tom Perrigo, chief sustainability officer of the city of Las Vegas, "flips the switch" on their new three-megawatt solar panel installation on April 18, 2013

   
     With the action of Tom Perrigo "flipping the switch" on their newfound solar panel installation, city officials are celebrating for the installation would help provide energy to a nearby wastewater treatment plant. The ground-mounted panels have been tightly packed on 25-acres of city-owned land near Vegas Valley Drive and Nellis Boulevard. This site had previously been a vacant strip of land the city had used as a buffer for its wastewater treatment plant, which processes all of the city's wastewater on its way to Lake Mead.
      During the dedication ceremony, Mayor Carolyn Goodman had announced that the project was known to being part of the city's comprehensive sustainability plan, which includes renewable energy, energy efficiency, recycling and waste management. "It's all about sustainability for the city and our citizens to make sure that we're using every resource that we can to keep down the costs of energy," she said. "The council wants the financial resources we have available to go as far as they can."
      The $20 million project will generate 6 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually, enough to provide approximately 20% of the treatment plant's power. "Because the plant accounts for a third of the city's annual energy bill, the solar panels will provide a big savings," Tom Perrigo, the chief sustainability officer, said. "Our energy spend breaks down to about a third for wastewater treatment, a third for street lights and a third for city buildings," he said. "By providing solar here at this facility, we're able to make a big impact on the city's overall energy consumption."