Solar Energy On Chilean Routes

The first solar-powered lighting on roads in the province of Parinacota were installed yesterday at the intersection of Route 11 to Ch Bolivia and the way to the typical Socoroma town, located 108 km east of Arica.

The initiative is the “Road Infrastructure Project Based on the Use of Solar Energy for the Region of Arica and Parinacota. It involves the Regional Bureau of Roads, Ministry of Public Works (MOP), Programa Innova Corfo and the University of Tarapacá (UTA).

In the access road to Socoroma three poles were installed. In total in the Parinacota province 20 solar lights will be placed, which are divided between the viewpoint Putre; Access Putre; Las Cuevas; Parinacota Access and Refuge in Lake Chungara Conaf.

Specifically, the posts are in the area of the Lauca National Park, with the approval of the Regional Directorate of Conaf to prevent them from damaging the scenic beauty of the natural landscape that attracts foreign and national tourists.

To oversee the installation of these innovative devices, today there were on the road access to regional ministerial Socoroma the Secretary of Public Works, Pilar Mazuela, near the provincial governor Parinacota, María Isabel Marcelo, and Regional Director of Roads, Lisette Almonte. At the site, the operator of the project and academics from the School of Electrical Engineering and Electronics of the UTA, Bernardo Barraza announced the details of the technology used in this initiative.

Pilar Mazuela said the project is a great bet for the development of the region, “because we are putting in tune with the developed countries tended to use efficient energy, using unconventional sources such as solar energy. We also appreciate that a team of academics and students who are behind this proposal, because that means we are training our youth in the implementation of innovative projects. “

He added that all routes in the region of Arica and Parinacota poles will be installed 58 solar panels 4 and a traffic light. A similar number will be installed in the Region of Tarapacá. He said the initiative has the support of MOP 250 million pesos per 200 pesos Innova Corfo Program and $ 17 million of the UTA.

For its part, the governor Marcelo Maria Isabel explained that the solar lights “will provide greater security for drivers and pedestrians traveling through this crossing. When there is lighting the risk of accidents is reduced. “He also mentioned that infrastructure is a complement to the investment of 401 million pesos by the MOP in the improvement of 4.5 miles of road to Socoroma, whose works are complete.

Project manager and academic UTA, Bernardo Barraza explained that the lights are composed of solar LED (the acronym for Light Emitting Diode), i.e., small lamps with white light, whose intensity will improve visibility in the road crossing. According to the design by the team of Utah, this infrastructure will be powered by solar panels which will transport energy to a battery, which will cater to the luminaries that have a lifespan of 12 years to provide light. The lights will be activated by a sensor that detects the daily sunset, i.e. when the sun sits in the background.

During the installation of lights was the first settler of Socoroma, Nitza Sanchez. The neighbor pointed out “the concern of the authorities to improve our conditions. We are pleased that the Government is helping our people, first with the way and now with these lights. We will serve well, so we can cross the road and avoid that tramples us. “

Share and Enjoy: