Lesetja Malope

Polokwane has been identified as one of the beneficiary cities in the country for a United Nations (UN) sponsored green initiative. The city has received a total 13 solar panels that will be utilised to power street lights in Ivy Park. A recently installed panel at the corner of Suid and Webster Streets is used to power the nearby traffic lights.

The initiative is sponsored by the Department of Environmental Affairs in conjunction with the UN and is meant to minimise the city’s carbon footprint. According to Po-lokwane Municipality’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Phuti Lekganyane the solar panels are under constant surveillance and cannot be stolen.

"The good thing about solar energy is that its maintenance is durable. Its batteries and invertors are only replaced after five years. The cost financial benefits of using solar energy on these traffic lights are that it will save Council over 30 000 watts per year," he said.