SOLAR POWER - Three city departments team up to put into service Bryan’s first solar-powered traffic flashers. Pictured, from left, in front of one of the new school zone flashers for Bryan High School are Brian Wieland, city engineer, Leroy Hoops, parks and recreation department, Frank Saneda, city engineering and Brian Carlin, electric superintendent.

September 6, 2007

City tests new solar-powered school traffic flashers

By LOU PENDLETON

The Bryan Electric Department and City Engineering teamed up to purchase and install two solar-powered school zone traffic flashers for Portland Street in front of the Bryan High School.

Brian Wieland, city engineer, said the high school signs needed to be replaced and Brian Carlin, electric superintendent, suggested using a solar-powered system. The electric department ordered the lights and split the $8,500 cost with City Engineering.

Leroy Hoops of the Parks and Recreation Department poured the concrete bases and Frank Saneda of city engineering installed the lights. Mr. Wieland said they had to find a good place to put the units where there were no trees to block the sun. They adjusted the angles of the solar panels to the sun based on Bryan’s latitude and longitude.

While taking down the old flashers, the electric crew also replaced three electric poles with new poles and wrecked-out the circuit to the old school crossing signs.

“This project provided another opportunity for the utility to demonstrate its commitment to green energy,” said Mr. Carlin. “The units generate their own power and cost nothing to operate. In addition, the new lights have a high visibility green reflection and a larger viewable area to enhance public safety in the school zone.”

When the solar panels on the units are exposed to sunlight, they convert the light into electrical energy. The electricity flows from the solar panels to the system controllers and charges the batteries. Mr. Carlin said the units produce energy even on cloudy days but at a reduced rate. The batteries are designed to provide a minimum of four days of battery back up.

The school zone units have a programmable timer with an annual plan, including holidays and vacations, and alternate schedules for early release. They use LED lights, which are more energy efficient than incandescent lights.

Mr. Wieland said city engineering would monitor the solar-powered units through the winter when there is the least amount of sunlight. If the units work well, they plan to install a set at the Bryan Middle School and at the hospital/medical center crosswalk on West High Street.

“Solar powered flashers are a good choice at the hospital because there is no existing electrical connection,” Mr. Wieland explained. “The cost of directional boring to feed electrical power to the site nearly pays for the cost of the unit.”