Fiji’s tropical climate is perfect to install solar powered lights on our roads and streets around the country. With Fiji’s sunny and wet weather conditions collaborating, the energy released by the two forces is suitable for solar power street lights.
Solar power street lights are environmentally friendly, easy to install and quick to reinstall. The lights depend solely on the energy given off by the sun. It has more security than traditional traffic lights and does not need any cabling. Solar power street lights also require less maintenance and there is less risk of electrocution for traffic lights personnel.
Fiji Roads Authority chief executive officer, Jonathan Moore said Fiji’s weather condition was ideal for installing solar powered street lights around the country. Mr Moore made this statement in a press conference and said that the sunny and wet weather patterns are an important combination to have solar traffic lights working on our roads.
“There is a massive lighting program over the next 12-18 months. Fiji is excellent for solar power, because we get a lot of light, decent amount of sun which is even more intense light and we get a lot of rain which helps clean the solar panels, so in those terms, Fiji is great for solar. We are experimenting in Nailaga with a solar system with almost 30 lights right now and if it goes well, we will spread out across the entire country,” he said.
Nailaga Village in Ba, currently has solar generated street lights under the “Well-Lit” program. Mr Moore stated that although investing into solar powered and LED lighting systems are expensive, the outcome is an even more environmentally friendly result.
“There is a project to test the solar lighting (Well-Lit Project), so that is the first section that we are doing and we will spread it further if it is a success. We are also going into LED lighting as well — low power usage. These are high capital classed but you save a fortune on power and it is mostly more environmentally friendly as well,” he said. Mr Moore also said plans to expand on these lighting programs were in place and that Fiji’s roads would be brighter.
