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Corporation to launch solar streetlights

CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation is set to launch a pilot project in use of solar power for streetlights.

As a first step, it will install 60 such streetlights. They will be fitted with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) that are more energy-efficient than ordinary bulbs.

Solar streetlights were originally developed for rural areas that had not been electrified.

Larger lighting units that consume more power are required in cities, and hence, may not be viable for operation with solar power.

However, solar streetlights fitted with 11 watt CFLs are considered suitable for smaller roads and the boundaries of institutions or residential colonies that do not require high intensity lighting.

These systems can also be used for lighting public parks.

The solar streetlight units, comprising an 11 watt CFL, battery and photovoltaic cell, would be bought as per specifications of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Chennai Corporation officials said.

The Ministry offers a subsidy of Rs. 10,000 per unit (about 50 per cent of the cost of a unit) to municipal corporations that take up solar streetlighting initiative.

The project aims to cut down cost by reducing electricity usage. Transmission losses are also avoided as each solar streetlight is an independent unit that does not need extra wiring or cables. The solar streetlight’s battery can store energy to produce light for a couple of ‘no-sun’ days.

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