Philips has committed an investment of€1.2m to the development of 100 solar-powered LED'light centres',each the size of a small football pitch,across rural African communities who live without electricity.
The initiative comes as part of Philips'third annual Cairo to Cape Town Roadshow,which uses technological innovation to attempt to tackle some of Africa's key problems and enhance everyday life.The light fields will be placed near schools in the hope they will facilitate economic and social activities,as well as improve healthcare and education,in regions restricted by a 7pm sunset.
The fields will be lit by four 8-metre poles supporting solar-powered LED lights which will provide 20 lux of cold white light while consuming less than 60 watts of power.The system should be sufficient to light an area of 1000m2.
Maintenance costs are to be met by the local authorities,who will be able to rent out the lit space to traders or potential advertisers.These costs could include the replacement of the underground battery system used to support the solar-panels,which lasts around four to five years.
Garrett Forde,president of Philips Lighting for Europe,the Middle East and Africa,explained,"Local reactions have been extremely positive,"adding,"We are introducing the first generation of solar powered LED lighting solutions which can provide high quality,sustainable and reliable lighting for off-grid communities in Africa;indeed the world.It is now a question of how much the world is willing to invest."
Installation of the first 40 fields is set for completion by the end of 2012 and all 100 should be in place by 2015,although the specific destinations are yet to be confirmed.The project is part of Philips'wider commitment to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Sustainable Energy for All initiative,which hopes to achieve universal access to modern energy services by 2030.
The initiative has met with strong encouragement from the UN Industrial Development Organisation.Football legend Ruud Gullit and athletics world record holder Lorna Kiplagat have also praised the project's potential for promoting sport in the regions.
