Uruguayan town goes solar

This is not a typical town square in Uruguay. The square, in the town of Suarez some 40km from the capital Montevideo, has gone over to solar energy and LED technology. The aim is to reduce electricity costs and at the same time light more streets. If it works, the plan could serve as a model for other towns across the country. In the current economic crisis and upward pressure on electricity prices, it should be a way of reducing energy costs.

"These lamps are very expensive if you buy them from China, Taiwan or Japan," says Juan José Marchelli, director of Uruled, the local firm which proposed the experiment.

This is why he decided to import the diodes but manufacture the bulbs locally."We recycled lamp posts which had fallen into disrepair." "Instead of glass, we put in anti-vandal polycarbonate and we adapted lamps that were made in Uruguay...Then we introduced solar panels into the supports," he said.

The authorities are examining how cost-effective they are. If they prove worthwhile they will buy equipment to make the lamps in Uruguay.

Read full article (BBC News)