Solar Cells Info

New Vision (Kampala), April 9, 2007
Juliet Waiswa, Kampala
source:
http://allafrica.com/stories/200704100203.html

AS the country prepares for the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November, Winafrique Alternative Power Limited (WAP) in collaboration with Kampala City Council, have installed a new street lighting system along Entebbe Road.  The reliable system of lighting comes in handy when the hydro-electric power from UMEME is increasingly becoming unreliable, yet with high charges. The lighting system has come in as a pilot project, first along Entebbe Road, and if successful will spread to other roads, especially in Kampala.

“To meet the challenge of beautifying Kampala city, we had to look at ways to provide reliable street lighting. We got this technology, of taping energy from mother nature from China,” said David Lukwago, the director of Winafrique.  WAP is a private local company, whose core business is in renewable alternative energies.

According to Lukwago the project has cost an estimated sh150m.  The lights have a wind turbine and solar panels, which convert wind and photovoltaic rays, respectively into energy which is stored in a re-chargeable battery.

Lukwago said the lighting system has a lifespan of 30 years which only needs lubricating every after two years and servicing of the batteries once in five years.  He says: “To bar irresponsible people from vandalising the lights as has been the case with other streetlights, WAP has developed a new design that takes into account security of the components of the lights, like having the battery fixed up on the pole where no one can reach.”

The lights have an in-built auto switching mechanism and will switch on when it is dark and off when it is day break. WAP has installed three different bulbs for testing purposes. Once the project succeeds, these lights will be installed up to Entebbe Airport.

As compared to the hydro system, the wind-solar solution is relatively low in terms of investment (approximately $1,800 per light installed), no monthly bills, guaranteed lighting, almost no maintenance and saves on usage of hydro-electricity which in turn will lower loadshedding.

Ruth Kijjambu, the acting town clerk, said the system is being used as a demonstration which when completed and found viable the council will take it on. She said KCC provided the engineers, who helped in the installation.

At the commissioning of the lights last week, Kampala Mayor Al Hajji Ntege Sebaggala, welcomed the idea and said KCC would continue working with companies which will help reduce darkness in the city.  “It is KCC’s mandate to light up Kampala city and as we prepare for CHOGM we welcome your efforts,” Sebaggala said.  The council has been paying close to $10,000 to UMEME per month on street lighting and this new technology comes in at the right time.