With assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Campbell-ville Environmental Development Association has set up a solar-powered pedestrian crossing light near the Campbellville Secondary School.
The light is at the junction of Durey Lane and Sheriff Street. A release from the EPA said the light was installed in November 2006 and the costs were borne by the Green Fund, which is managed by the EPA.
The pedestrian crossing light is positioned by the pedestrian crossing at the junction and continuously blinks red to alert drivers of the presence of the crossing.
The community group submitted a proposal for this project, which was approved by a broad-based steering committee. The Green Fund, the release said, supports small projects that improve the environment and can be accessed by establishing community or environmental groups.
A solar cell attached to the light traps the sun’s energy and converts it to electricity. This is used to power the light during the day and stores it in a battery for use at night.
Using solar energy saves on fossil fuel which would have been required to generate electricity for the light. The release also noted that fossil fuel is costly and its use has been associated with global warming and climate change. As a result there is increasing global attention to the use of alternatives such as solar, hydroelectric and wind energy.
The Campbellville Environmental Development Association group was credited with demonstrating through this simple venture that communities have the ability to take action for a better environment. The project also provides an opportunity for the assessment of the performance of solar power in traffic lights, which if favourable can lead to its widespread use for this purpose.
