Solar powered traffic lights are set to become an increasingly common phenomenon in South Africa as the National Energy Efficiency Agency (NEEA) works towards completing 400 installations at critical intersections throughout the country.

The NEEA, an arm of the Central Energy Fund, launched the Sustainable Traffic Solutions Initiative in January 2008, during the height of South Africa's power crisis. Employing the use of two solutions - solar power and UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) systems - the aim of the initiative was to reduce the number of disruptions caused on busy roads due to power cuts. It was also aimed at removing traffic lights from the Eskom power grid in favour of a more environmentally friendly and energy efficient alternative.

The NEEA's first solar powered traffic light was installed in October 2007 in Cape Town, for a three month pilot phase trial. Following the success of the trial, NEEA launch scale roll-out programme early in 2008.

Based on a business model that calls for the participation of both the private and public sector, the NEEA successfully coordinated the installations of a few solar traffic lights and UPS systems at various locations in Gauteng.

Despite pessimistic warnings that installed technologies would not last, the NEEA reports that not a single attempt has been made at the theft or vandalism of solar panels.  

Following the success of the 2008 rollout, NEEA operations manager Barry Bredenkamp says that 2009 will see the agency boost the programme to complete installations at 400 key intersections this year, primarily in Gauteng.

"We've had a very positive response from businesses. The corporate sponsors are eager to find ways to make it easier for their staff to get to work or for their customers to access their premises," says Bredenkamp. "We can definitely complete 400 installations particularly in Johannesburg.  It is the economic centre of the country and there is good support from funders."

Bredenkamp says that the Sustainable Traffic Solutions Initiative will bring a range of positive benefits to South Africans as the technology spreads to more parts of the country.

"Through using this technology we limit the opportunities for cable theft, we have reliable robots, less accidents and we save energy. With robots that never experience power cuts, we also won't spend as much time in traffic and therefore we will reduce carbon emissions and pollution in the air," says Bredenkamp.

Installations that are already in progress include a solar solution for the Fountains Circle in Tshwane, which is already 50% complete. The city will also benefit from a mixture of UPS and solar solutions for nine intersections along Nelson Mandela Drive.  Installations of a  further 10 UPS and solar solutions are in progress at critical intersections in Ekurhuleni, six of which will be along Van Buuren Road.