The Costa Rica News (TCRN) – A project proposed by the Directorate General of Traffic (DGIT) aims to provide renewable energy systems at about 467 intersections in the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM) of San Jose.
DGIT’s head of traffic lights, Jose Roldan, said the goal is for the systems to be self-sustaining and not require central power to operate them. During the night a battery system would be responsible for operating the devices.
The project is awaiting budget approval by the Comptroller General in 2015, where the authorities will determine whether the implementation of the initiative is possible.
According to Roland, the project would be implemented in a total of six stages, making the changes at 80 intersections per year. As for cost, 600 million colones (about $1.1 million) is currently budgeted.
In the long term, this DGIT project will save 17 million colones (about $32,000) on the monthly electric rate, and would be able to provide surplus power to the grid.
Authorities plan that by 2020 all of the 467 intersections will have solar collectors and by 2025 this technology will be universal for all stoplights in the country. (Crhoy)
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
San Jose, Costa Rica