Residents of Lagos have recently been getting used to the sight of streetlights working again.The Babatunde and it has not permitted its determination to be stymied by the poor supply from the national grid.

Lagos has had to power its streetlights with generators, pending the implementation of sustainable alternatives.One of such options has arrived, and it is the solar option, which is now being rolled out across the state.It is another first for the centre of excellence, as the solar units are of unique design.

Solar streetlights are already up and running along the Opebi-Allen axis and the Mobolaji Johnson road that connects the Lagos State secretariat to the Seven-Up Bottling plant in Ikeja.The streetlights are automatic with sensors that activate according to the weather.The lamps get brighter as the day gets darker and the sensor deactivates as sunlight returns.This elimination of human agency not only enhances predictability but also saves on personnel costs.If required, the solar streetlights can also be customised to power wireless CCTV that have become vital to security management in cities across the world

The solar lighting project is being implemented on behalf of the Lagos State government by Stormberg Engineering.It is an extensive project expected in coming years to reach all parts of Lagos and its sheer scope dictates some prioritising.The rollout was delayed as Stormberg sought to select the design and technology best suited for Nigeria.

Sam Ohenhen, one of the Stormberg engineers executing the roll-out, says the company appreciates the patience the Fashola government has demonstrated as the project evolved.And he thinks it has been worth the wait."Solar projects are supposed to offer sustainable alternatives to thermoelectric power.That means care must be taken to ensure that solar actually delivers," Ohenhen said."Stormberg is rolling out unique solar components and poles that have been researched and developed to suit Nigerian conditions".Ohenhen is alluding to the history of failed solar projects across the country, with contractors failing to master the technology before roll-out or using faulty designs that leave the components vulnerable to tamper.

That process of research and development cost Stormberg more than one million dollars.The company developed a unique design for the key components of the solar streetlight.It is tamper-proof with the lamps, battery and solar panel placed in a single unit atop the pole.Given the weight of the solar components, a special base had to be designed so the poles can support them.

Ohenhen explains that Stormberg is proud that Lagos is the first project site to have the unique hi-tech solar lights that can assist the state's security management in addition to providing a more efficient and sustainable option than generator-powered streetlights.While initial acquisition costs may appear steep, solar streetlights are more cost-effective in the long run than even lights powered from the grid, typically paying off after only three years.

The advantages of the Stormberg solar solution includes batteries that last for nine years and solar panels that can serve maintenance-free for 25 years. The location of battery is conducive to better ventilation, thus eliminating the heat effect that damages batteries and components. The lamps are made from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that consume little energy but deliver high wattages.LED lamps can be spaced up to 45 metres apart and still deliver a big flux.The unit itself is easy to deploy since all active components are integrated in one entity.

About 1, 500 poles are expected to be deployed as the streetlights are extended to Awolowo Way in Ikeja, Moshalashi/Palm Avenue/Challenge in Mushin, and Bode Thomas axis in Surulere.The lights would also be installed in Festac Town and in Lagos Island, from Tinubu Square through Bamgbose to Moloney, and from Apongbon through Eko Bridge to Costain.Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue in Victoria Island, Kudirat Abiola Way in Oregun and Ojodu road would also be lined with the solar lights.

All these street lamps would be powered off-grid, reducing the pressure on the national grid while fulfilling the project aims of lighting the city's streets and enhancing security.

Solar power uses the sun as the energy source.Countries around the equator have special advantages in using this energy source as the sun is available in these places all year round.Solar power solutions ensure that the sun's light can be captured, stored and used beyond daylight.It is a simple technology, but a lot depends on the sensitivity of the solar panel.

A solar panel traps and converts sunlight into photovoltaic electricity.This electricity is stored in a battery that powers lamps, of which LEDs are the most widely used.Most units have a control circuitry that charges the battery and sensors that dim or light up the lamps as conditions demand.Recent models of solar panels are vandal-proof and are able to perform even in overcast weather while batteries are optimised for several days' operation should prolonged poor weather prevent the solar panels from catching enough sunlight.LEDs are the most popular lamps because they use a fraction of the energy of comparable lamps.

Ohenhen believes solar can power Nigeria.It is already big business elsewhere. For example, Q-Cells AG is the world's largest producer of solar cells.Based in Thalheim in what has come to be known as Germany's solar valley, Q-Cells posted 2007 sales of 858 million euros.With growing worldwide interest in reducing carbon emissions, solar power is a growth industry.