Solar-Powered Street Lights Evolve
Solar street lights not only help local city and county governments decrease their dependence on local utilities, but they also help insure safety and lighting in extreme emergencies. As cities throughout Florida have proven over the years, these lights can often survive hurricane-force winds to provide light and decrease crime in the aftermath of tragedy. All while pulling power from the sun. Some locations are taking advantage of federal grants provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
And now they’re evolving. For example, on days when there is low sunlight, there may be increased wind levels, so why not put a small wind turbine on the top of the pole. This is something Duxlite has released and is selling globally (http://www.duxlite.com/combinestreet.htm).
Another innovation is a partnership between Compliance Technology and the University of Abertay in Dundee, Scotland, who are developing solar-powered street lights that also provide WIFI/WIMAX internet access under the name “Project StarSight.” http://www.abertay.ac.uk/News/NewsPopup.cfm?NewsID=937
Perhaps the time is right in your community for these solar products.
Monday, July 9, 2007
