In Lviv, the city’s largest traffic light junction has been additionally equipped with solar panels, enabling it to operate for longer during power outages. This concerns the traffic light installation at the junction of Chervonoi Kalyny Avenue, Uhorska Street and Navrotskoho Street, which has received four solar panels as an additional power source.
This traffic light junction is the largest in Lviv: it controls traffic in three sections and includes 53 traffic lights. According to LKP «Lvivavtodor», the installation consumes around 750 W/h, so in the context of possible blackouts it required enhanced backup power.
The municipal enterprise explains that thanks to the installation of solar panels, the traffic lights will be able to operate autonomously for between 10 and 24 hours — depending on the level of consumption. In sunny weather, the panels will generate electricity directly for this installation, reducing the load on the main power grid and promoting the use of renewable energy sources.
«An uninterruptible power supply unit was already in operation at the site. The solar panels will enhance its performance: they will help the traffic lights operate for longer during blackouts and contribute to energy efficiency,» said LKP «Lvivavtodor» director Mykola Vlasiuk.
The solar panels were installed as part of a pilot project implemented by LKP «Lvivavtodor» together with Onur Energy Solution LLC to improve road safety in Lviv by ensuring the stable operation of traffic lights even in the event of power supply problems.
In total, LKP «Lvivavtodor» currently services 177 traffic light installations, with approximately 2,500 traffic lights in place. All of them are connected to uninterruptible power supply units, which makes it possible to maintain the operation of the traffic lights during blackouts and improve road safety in the city.