What can be better and greener for a city then getting street lights powered by natural elements like wind and sun? The brain behind such a practical idea is Mojtaba Navvab, of the University of Michigan Architectural Laboratory. This hybrid solar-wind-powered streetlight is erected near the Packard Road, entrance to Buhr Park. It is a collaboration between the lab, which designed it, and the city of Ann Arbor, which paid to install it. Topped by a wind turbine and two solar panels, it also contains a battery to store that energy.
Wanting to create and awareness amongst public, Navvab intends to demonstrate that there is a very strong possibility of utilizing not only wind but also solar power. The 70-watt, 24-volt light can store 100 amp hours at 24 volts in its two batteries. It only turns on at night and is as bright as a normal streetlight, but more energy-efficient. However for the cost of $1,800 for each light pole, it isn’t practical to light up the city green unless you get sponsors to do so. Just like Full Spectrum Solutions that manufactured the light and donated it to the university, which in turn gave it to the city at no charge! But then its only one time investment.
Via: MLive
