May 6, 2008

Contact: Kevin Maynard (419) 354-6246

 

 

BG Installs Solar and Battery Back-Up System for Main/Wooster Traffic Signal

 

 

BOWLING GREEN—Bowling Green’s latest renewable energy project also increases safety at one of the City’s busiest intersections.

 

The Bowling Green Electric Division announces the installation of a solar and battery backup system for the Main and Wooster Street traffic signals.  Funding for the new system was generated by the sale of renewable energy credits (“green tags”) and participation in the Nature’s Energy program.

 

Utilities Director Kevin Maynard explains: “In the past, each time a power outage affected these signals, police officers were dispatched to the intersection to direct traffic, taking them away from other important duties, particularly in the event of an emergency.”

 

The solar backup system is expected to provide at least 7.5 hours of operation with no external source of power, depending on the available sunlight.  This is sufficient time to continue operation through all but extended outages and allow adequate time to determine an alternate means of powering the signals such as a generator.

 

Maynard credits the City’s Electric Division for designing and installing this improvement. 

 

In addition to the new back-up system, the traffic signals were converted to LED to lessen consumption.

 

 

 

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