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Technology description traffic light support arm (pole).8 Currently, LED lamps
are being widely used to replace conventional
Solar traffic lights consist of four main parts: The solar incandescent filament lamps in traffic light system as
panel, which is a key part which converts solar energy they provide lower cost of energy, maintenance, and
into electricity that the lamps can use, the operations.2 The examples of specifications of solar
lighting/signaling facility, a rechargeable battery and a traffic light are described below.9
Table 1. Specifications of solar traffic lights and solar streetlights
and health, and safety and reliability.23 The electricity installation are not carefully considered, this may cause
savings reached 248.7 × 103 kWh counting for about insufficient lighting for traffic, waste investment, and
$2,900 per year. The energy saving equals the reduction increase risk of traffic accidents.10,11 In fact, solar panels
of 99.5-ton standard coal and 248-ton CO2, 7.5-ton SO2, only generate electricity in sunny periods;
3.7-tons NOx, and 67.6-ton smoke.23 These are key consequently, the efficiency of solar traffic-light systems
examples of technology applications and promise the is highly dependent on weather, climate, and geographic
success of solar traffic light systems globally. conditions.
To evaluate solar lights or traditional lights on cost- Additionally, the disposal of used solar panels in an
effectiveness, it is necessary to consider the cost of the unsuitable manner can pose threats to human health
lights, the costs incurred during construction, and because they contain unsafe components such as
during installation of the project. The efficiency and sulphuric acid, hydrogen fluoride, hydrochloric acid,
long-term life of the project must also be considered. A nitric acid, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and acetone.31 In
case study in Vietnam is shown in Annex 3, the initial developing countries like China and India, the burning
installation cost of solar lights is 28% cheaper, and the of e-waste from solar panel systems to reclaim copper
installation and operating costs of solar lights for 10 wire for resale has produced toxic fumes that can cause
years are also 38% cheaper than conventional electric cancer and birth deformity when inhaled.32 It is
lights.24 approximated that per quadrillion joules of energy
produced, 11 to 21 deaths have been identified in
Opportunities conjunction with the solar energy health threats.32
The adoption of solar technology provides business and There is growing concern over the risk of PV waste at
employment opportunities for local communities. the end of their lifetime, which is an estimated stock of
Global employment growth in this sector accounts for a 250,000 tons in 2016.33 Therefore, it is necessary to be
total of 4 million jobs.25 Within this, China commanded prepared in terms of technology and investment in the
a 39% share of renewable energy jobs worldwide in field of recycling and waste treatment of solar power.
2020, followed by Brazil, India, the United States, and
members of the European Union.25 Many other
Scenarios
countries are also creating jobs in this sector. Among Experts revealed that in urban areas, solar traffic light
them are Vietnam and Malaysia, who are key solar PV systems can be used far from centralized lines, which
exporters, and Indonesia and Colombia, which have makes this method of generating electricity simply
large agricultural supply chains for biofuels.25 Tesla and necessary in remote areas, such as railway roads,
Panasonic are constructing a large solar panel engineering networks, national parks.34 These systems
manufacturing plant in Buffalo, New York.26 can also be constructed on highways, or highway rest
areas.23 In rural, remote or island areas with no grid
Government and non-governmental organizations
power or higher levels of power shortage, the use of
create opportunities for this type of energy to grow
solar traffic lights is a smart and effective solution to
through income tax exemptions, and funding for
improve transport infrastructure and save costs. Solar
individuals and companies to invest in solar energy.27
traffic lights regions will promote security, economic
For example, Malaysia allows electric power generation
and social development, both for rural and urban
from renewable sources and acquires it at a higher fee,14
regions.35
and The Indian government has provided 30% of capital
subsidy for all solar power projects under the Solar PV application for traffic light systems will not
Jawaharlal Nehru Mission Scheme.28 This support only play a role in lighting, but can also provide video
contributes to the expansion of technology application surveillance. Thus, it can provide both increased light
and development. Solar energy technologies are and safety in the absence of communication and a
developing quickly and the competition in the centralized power supply.36 Solar traffic lights should be
technology leads to improved efficiency and cost designed with storage facilities such as lead acid
reduction.29,30 This creates an opportunity for a large batteries and for power supply in the absence of
coverage capacity of the technology and shortened sunlight.37 In addition, hybrid systems between solar
payback period. and wind energy have also demonstrated their efficient
utilization of natural energy sources.38 This is a
Threats promising model amid a current global energy crisis
The application of solar traffic lights may pose potential with growing concerns over environmental pollution. In
risks for humans when it does not seriously consider a any case, current electricity storage technology does not
number of factors. Firstly, if position and location of meet the demand, the suggested hybrid model should be
Science-Policy Brief for the Multistakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs, May 2022
18. Nguyễn Tấn Khải. Personal Interview. 2021. 30. Kabir E, Kumar P, Kumar S, Adelodun A, Kim K. Solar
energy: Potential and future prospects. Renew Sustain
19. Nguyễn Trung. Personal Interview. 2021.
Energy Rev. 2018;82:894–900.
20. Phùng Quang Giang. Personal Interview. 2021.
31. Nkuissi H, Konan F, Hartiti B, Ndjaka J. Toxic Materials
21. Cox S, Walters T, Esterly S, Booth S. Solar power: policy Used in Thin Film Photovoltaics and Their Impacts on
overview and good practices [Internet]. Clean Energy Environment. Reliab Ecol Asp Photovolt Modul
Solutions Center; 2015 [cited 2021 Dec 16]. Available [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2021 Dec 16]; Available from:
from: https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy15osti/64178.pdf https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/68288
22. Solar Generation 6: Solar Photovoltaic Electricity 32. Ferronato N, Torretta V. Waste Mismanagement in
Empowering the world [Internet]. European Photovoltaic Developing Countries: A Review of Global Issues. Int J
Industry Association; 2011 [cited 2021 Dec 16]. Available Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Jan;16(6):1060.
from:
33. End-of-life management: Solar Photovoltaic Panels
http://pvtrin.eu/assets/media/PDF/Publications/Other
[Internet]. International Renewable Energy Agency; 2016
%20Publications/36.SolarGeneration6__2011.pdf
[cited 2021 Dec 16]. Available from:
23. Qin X, Wei Q, Wang L, Shen Y. Solar Lighting https://www.irena.org/publications/2016/Jun/End-of-
Technologies for Highway Green Rest Areas in China: life-management-Solar-Photovoltaic-Panels
Energy Saving Economic and Environmental Evaluation.
34. Subbotin A, Larina V, Salmina V, Arzumanyan A.
Int J Photoenergy. 2015 Aug 4;2015:e926235.
Application of solar energy in various construction
24. So sánh hiệu quả chiếu sáng giữa đèn NLMT và đèn dùng industries. E3S Web Conf. 2020 Jan 1;164:13004.
điện lưới - POSO [Internet]. POSO VIỆT NAM. 2021 [cited
35. Ciriminna R, Pagliaro M, Meneguzzo F, Pecoraino M.
2021 Dec 16]. Available from: https://poso.com.vn/so-
Solar energy for Sicily’s remote islands: On the route
sanh-hieu-qua-chieu-sang-giua-den-nang-luong-mat-
from fossil to renewable energy. Int J Sustain Built
troi-va-den-dung-dien-luoi/
Environ. 2016;5(1):132–40.
25. Energy transition: Renewable energy jobs have reached
36. Ansari RA. Concept of Smart Solar Highways Light. Int J
12 million globally [Internet]. International Labour
Eng Res Technol [Internet]. 2018 Apr 24 [cited 2021 Dec
Organization. 2021 [cited 2021 Dec 16]. Available from:
16];5(10). Available from:
https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-
https://www.ijert.org/research/concept-of-smart-solar-
ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_823759/lang--
highways-light-IJERTCONV5IS10044.pdf,
en/index.htm.
https://www.ijert.org/concept-of-smart-solar-highways-
26. Pyper J. Panasonic Ramps Up Solar Cell Production as light
Tesla Starts Making Solar Roofs at Gigafactory 2
37. Moghbelli H, Ellithy K, Eslami Z, Vartanian R, Wannous D,
[Internet]. Greentech Media. 2018 [cited 2021 Dec 16].
Ghamrawy A, et al. Investigation of Solar Energy
Available from:
Applications with Design and Implementation of
https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/panaso
Photovoltaic Traffic Light Signal System for Qatar. Renew
nic-ramps-up-solar-cell-production-at-teslas-buffalo-
Energy Power Qual J. 2009 Apr 1;1.
gigafactory
38. Wadi M, Shobole A, Tur M, Baysal M. Smart hybrid wind-
27. Pablo-Romero M. Solar Energy: Incentives to Promote PV
solar street lighting system fuzzy based approach: Case
in EU27. AIMS Energy. 1:28–47.
study Istanbul-Turkey. In 2018 [cited 2021 Dec 16].
28. Guangul F, Chala G. Solar Energy as Renewable Energy Available from:
Source: SWOT Analysis. In 2019. p. 1–5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326363273_
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29. Diamandis P. Solar Energy Revolution: A Massive
solar_street_lighting_system_fuzzy_based_approach_Case
Opportunity [Internet]. Forbes. 2014 [cited 2021 Dec 16].
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Available from:
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opportunity/?sh=6738aac16c90
Science-Policy Brief for the Multistakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs, May 2022
Annex
ANNEX 1: Consulted experts
Super Name of Experts Institution Position Interview Country
Script date
1 Nguyễn Mộc Đức Green power company Manager 19/11/2021 Viet Nam
(Mr)
2 Huỳnh Thị Minh Thư Van Lang University Lecturer 17/11/2021 Viet Nam
(Dr).
3 Huỳnh Tấn Đạt (Mr) Hoang Lien Son Manager 22/11/2021 Viet Nam
Construction Company
Limited
4 Nguyễn Viết Kiệt Genergy company Head of Technical 24/11/2021 Viet Nam
(Mr) department
6 Nguyễn Phương Lâm Long Hau Hau Director, System 1/12/2021 Vietnam
(Mr) industrial zone Management -
Human Resources
Long Hau Joint Stock Administration
Company
7 Nguyễn Tấn Khải Gotecland company Project manager 24/11/2021 Viet Nam
(Mr)
10 Erik Velasco (Dr) Molina Center for Research scientist 26/11/2021 Mexico
Energy and the
Environment
12 Soheil Rastan (Dr) Statistics Canada and Senior R&D 26/11/2021 Canada
UN officer
6
Science-Policy Brief for the Multistakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs, May 2022
ANNEX 2: Methodology
Expert consultation
For this policy brief, 13 experts from a variety of backgrounds including electricity, solar technology, renewable energy
were consulted through semi-structured interviews. The meetings were set up virtually; interviews notes were
transcribed, and some sessions were recorded.
SWOT analysis
A SWOT analysis is designed to look at the strengths and weaknesses of solar technology then to analyze opportunities
and threads of technological application. Based on the results, implied policies were recommended.
ANNEX 3: Cost comparison between fossil fuel energy and solar energy
Traffic Lights using fossil fuels Traffic Lights using Sokoyo –
energy AC 220V – 60W LUMO 60W
Type of costs
Unit Unit
Quantity Total Quantity Total
Price Price
One off cost (Installed cost)
Lights 92 item 88,75 8.165 92 item 398,57 36.668,44