Solar Panels Keep Traffic Lights Green

Solar panels provide electricity for the blinking yellow light on a traffic sign

Over the past few years after starting this blog, I have been noticing more and more solar panel installations to power blinking yellow lights on directional signs, warn drivers of changing conditions or road closures and even keep street lights on.

But what about regular traffic lights?  Wind turbines and solar panels can help keep them “green,” as well, using research of a team at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  Not only will solar and wind power be used to operate traffic lights, but excess electricity generated would be fed into the power grid, significantly reducing costs for taxpayers through energy credits from utility companies.  The Energy Plus Roadways project is funded by a $1 million grant from the United States Department of Transportation.

Consider this: It currently costs the City of Lincoln, Nebraska almost $1 million annually to power its streetlights and $72,000 for traffic signals and signs.  If the approximately 300,000 signalized intersections in the U.S. used solar panels to operate traffic lights the savings would nearly reach $50 million each year.  In addition, solar powered traffic lights would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create green-collar jobs.  If the region experiences an overcast day and/or calm winds, traffic lights will still operate because the system is connected to the grid.

So, in essence, solar panels and wind turbines keep traffic lights “green,” not only by producing clean electricity for their operation, but also by saving taxpayers money on utility costs.

I’d say let’s give this project a green light!

Tags: government solar, solar panels, solar power green light, solar powered street lights, solar powered traffic lights