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Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Solar-Powered Traffic Signal

 
Solar traffic signal

Every time I see these signals on a state highway, I am thoroughly intrigued, wondering about them. I wonder how much each costs, wonder if one of these would be helpful in heating northern greenhouses that cannot keep things warm enough in the winter. Mostly, I wonder if one would help to keep my hens' water from freezing.
 
That reminds me. I must get rechargeable solar batteries for my three outdoor yard lights that I bought during the 2011 tornado. They served very well to keep me from stumbling around my house or using candles and chancing a fire.
 
Maybe everyone else sees these solar-powered signals regularly. I have never seen them on the interstates. Have you?
 
Your turn
Do you ever see these solar operated signals? Are they common? Does anyone have a ballpark figure as to the cost of such a system?

10 comments:

  1. Nope In the land of eternal sun--California we don't appear to have them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kristine,
      Hmmm, it seems they would be a good alternative. Sometimes, I am surprised at the progressiveness of AL. Of course, it is a juxtaposition of progressive and not progressive. Thanks for that report...lol. Where in CA do you live?

      Delete
  2. The hot hot central valley. (Fresno)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Haven't seen any but sounds interesting and definitely necessary. Solar powered traffic cams on I-75 Florida
    http://jessan.com/roadway_camera.cfm
    Also, there are small solar panels mounted on poles along Alligator Alley (I-75 crossing the southern part of Florida thru the Everglades) that power emergency phones.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bellen,
      Powering emergency phones sounds like an excellent idea. Cameras for traffic...hmmm.

      Delete
    2. Cameras for traffic on I-75 is a result from that horrific accident last year caused by smoke - there was no way to see it happening and smoke is so capricious - even 100 feet makes a difference. Cameras would have helped to prevent the accident or at least make it less deadly.

      Delete
  4. We don't have them either. And I wish we did. For much of Oz, they would work really, really well. Mind you, our current Govt is in the coal miners pockets so I don't think they will happen any time soon. Hiss and spit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EC,
      I understand the pockets! I think there is storage in batteries so these things would work even in the short cloudy periods. Not sure. It is too bad that governments are ruled by business.

      Delete
  5. I tell everyone that the bawl spot on the back of my head is a solar panel for a sex machine. I know. They don't believe it either.

    ReplyDelete

Okay, hoping the annoyances have gone away.