Africa Innovates Magazine - Flipbook - Page 40
ENERGY SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
Photo credit: Solar Street Lights
LET’S GO
GREEN ON
STREET LIGHTS
IN NIGERIA
Drawing upon her training in electrical
engineering, Angela Amaka built and
introduced solar powered lanterns to
her community in Nigeria. Prior to this
invention, Amaka’s town would slow
down significantly after dark due to a lack
of a lighting. Her eco-friendly solar lamps
have had several positive socio-economic,
environmental and biodiversity impacts.
In Nigeria, fossil fuel sources such as
kerosene and gasoline are expensive, and
families are forced to use firewood, which
contributes to deforestation. According
to Ms. Amaka, it was time to focus on
renewable energy technologies. She
deployed off- grid solar streetlights with
minimal operational costs which provide
light regardless of power outages and
grid failures.
ECO-FRIENDLY
The solar streetlights are powered by
photovoltaic panels, producing clean and
sustainable energy. By choosing to rely on
solar energy, local authorities, individuals,
and businesses can effectively reduce
their energy consumption and their
carbon footprint.
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BIODIVERSITY
The adoption of solar lighting solutions
also helps preserve biodiversity in areas
most sensitive to light pollution. Solar
street lighting systems adjust light
intensity throughout the night, affording
protection to birds, whose migratory
behavior is strongly affected by light
pollution.
SOCIAL LIFE
AND SAFETY
Lighting plays a key role in creating and
nurturing safe and healthy communities.
Solar lighting provides citizens with a
better quality of life in the city, allowing
them to continue their social and
recreational activities throughout the
evening. It also improves citizen safety
by promoting improved traffic flow and
reducing accidents. Importantly, children
are now able to study at night and focus
on their education.
SHOWCASING AFRICAN CLIMATE CHAMPIONS
Photo credit: Solar Street Lights
Angela Amaka
