Solar-powered streetlights

MANILA – Pasig already has some solar-powered streetlights installed in some areas to reduce its energy cost, according to the city's Environment and Natural Resources officer, Raquel Naciongayo. So far, 27 of the lights have been installed in streets in Barangay Kapitolyo and the Central Business District, particularly along Caruncho Avenue. "During the day, the streetlights would charge up through the solar panels situated on top of the post with its battery, convert and store that energy, and automatically turn on at night, running from 6 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.," Naciongayo said. The program is in line with the national government’s celebration of the Clean Air Month, citing the benefits of the solar-powered streetlights. One of solar energy's benefits is that it allows electricity to be produced in the place where it is consumed. Since sunlight hours overlap nicely with peak demand, solar panels create electricity when it is most expensive and needed, at night. Based its computation, the local government can easily cut down 70 percent of the electrical bills per month by converting to solar-powered street lighting. The use of energy-reducing innovations promotes environment-friendly technologies under the Pasig Green City campaign of the city. Each solar-powered streetlight costs P120,000. "With global warming and energy issues now a worldwide problem, we have to do our share for the environment," Naciongayo said. Pasig City Mayor Robert Eusebio envisions that all subdivisions and major thoroughfares will be installed with solar-powered streetlights. - GMANews.TV