Traffic lights are powered by solar energy

To reduce the electricity used to light street lights and run public transportation, several cities in the state of Johor (Malaysia) are considering a solution for solar energy use.

With boards on the roof, a bus station can generate electricity to light two electric shades for 12 hours. ( Photo: The Star )

Johor Baru City Council (Johor, Malaysia) has started using solar energy to run some traffic lights, bus stops and even park lighting.

The city of Kulai (state of Johor) also uses solar energy for some bus stops.

Not only reducing electricity costs, this alternative power source also helps to reduce theft of power cables.

Johor Baru City has about 25,000 street lamps. In this city, electricity used for public utilities amounts to millions of RM per year.

To date, the Johor Baru City Council has spent about RMB 100,000 (nearly 400 million RM) on a solar project launched four months ago.

Traffic lights run on solar energy. ( Photo: The Star )

In addition to the RM600,000 RMB subsidized by the Department of Housing and Local Government, Johor Baru City will install solar panels at 60 to 70 bus stops around the city.

Currently, the city of Johor Baru is not able to install solar power at all bus stations because the price of solar power equipment is not cheap.

Although the initial cost of the system is high, but this system is very durable, can use up to 10 years.

The boards on the roof of the bus stop only receive sunlight for 4 hours but can generate enough electricity to run 2 bulbs for 12 hours from 7 pm to 7 am.

Minh Thuong