Solar Energy Powers Signage

By Karen Snelling Post-Tribune staff writer - May 19, 2007

Solar-powered traffic signs are helping a small, but growing number of communities increase safety while holding down electricity costs.

A year ago, Schererville put up a solar-charged blinking sign to alert motorists on Pine Island Drive that bicyclists may be crossing the road from nearby Erie Lackawana bike trail.

"I'd love to tell you it was an environmental decision, but it wasn't," Jeff Huet, director of Schererville's public works department, said.

He said it can cost $5,000 or more to run an underground Northern Indiana Public Service Co. electric line to a traditional yellow flashing sign.

In contrast, a sign equipped with solar panels costs just $2,000 installed, he said. And, there's no monthly electric bill.

Battery-operated lights that dot the edge of the bike trail sign and can be seen miles away.

The solar panel attached to the sign charge the batteries [that] are designed to keep the lights blinking without any sun for two weeks or longer.

Huet said the town may put up a solar-powered school zone sign at 73rd Avenue and Forest Ridge Drive to warn drivers to slow down when classes are in session at Forest Ridge Academy.

In neighboring Merrillville, a solar-powered, blinking-light stop sign is operates on 57th Avenue at Chase Street.

Valparaiso officials have been getting positive feedback to the illuminated street signs the city began putting up last year.

They're really helpful for people driving at night in unfamiliar areas," Timothy Burkman, the city's chief deputy engineer, said.

Burkman said the lighted signs were first installed at six downtown intersections as part of a downtown streetscape project.

They were later added to six other signalized intersections around the city, including two on Vale Park Drive.