Solar-powered Street Lamp

The government’s inability to meet the growing demand for electricity in the country has resulted into frequent power cuts. To offset the widening power deficit, many people are steadily turning towards solar technology for household purposes like lighting, cooking and heating.

Use of solar technology, however, is not limited within households alone. In view of ever increasing power crisis, stakeholders focused on promoting alternative energy are lending assistance in infrastructure development projects based on solar technology. Installation of solar-powered street lamps is one such project. 

Pokhara Sub-metropolis is poised to become one of the first towns to embrace solar technology to power its streets. A pilot project has been launched at Lakeside and New Road in Pokhara, wherein 101 solar-powered street lamps will be installed. CCTV cameras will also be installed as a part of the project that is slated to complete by June.    

An estimated Rs 21.1 million has been allotted for the project based on public-private partnership investment model. Pokhara Sub-metropolis will provide 33 percent of the budget and the remaining cost will come from the local tourism promoters and reform committees. The government-run Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) has pledged subsidy worth Rs 10 million to the project.  

“We have already granted Rs 6 million in subsidy to Pokhara Sub-metropolis. We will issue the remaining fund after we have evaluated the criteria from the applications received. If the project is successful then we could multiply the subsidy in the coming years” said Assistant Director of APEC Ram Prasad Dhital. 

According to APEC officials, altogether 16 districts, including Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Ramechhap and Bara, have expressed their interest in the project. 

Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has already announced ‘Kathmandu Ujyalo Karyakram’ to light up the streets of the Capital city with solar-powered lamps. This first of this programme will be implemented in Durbarmarg in association with the Durbarmarg Development Committee. Thirty solar street lamps will be installed on either side of Durbarmarg road. The project estimated at Rs 9 million is set to complete by the end of April. 

KMC also plans to earn revenue through advertisements run on electronic board operated through the solar lights. 

According to KMC Chief Laxman Aryal, lighting up the Kathmandu streets is one of their main priorities in the fiscal plan. “We plan to light up the city’s streets and make it safe for the residents during the night. It is one of our top agendas for the year,” he said. 

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to invest Rs 380 million for the project. The fund from the ADB can equip 600 lights around the city.

KMC-installed street lamps are already illuminating the streets of New Baneshwor, Swayambhu, Basantapur, Singha Durbar, Tripureshwor and Thapathali. 

Experts consider solar lights as durable energy source which requires less maintenance. The solar panels and LED lights could last for 8 to 10 years, while their battery life lasts for minimum two years. 

One solar-powered street lamp, including the post, solar panel, battery and the light, could cost around Rs 55,000.  

LED lights of 18-24 watts that are normally used on street lamps gives about six hours of full backup lights and another six hours of half light.