Curitiba Resident Builds Solar-Powered Lamp Post, Providing Free Lighting For His Community

A resident of Curitiba developed a solar-powered post that could change the life of several people who do not have access to public lighting. The goal is to spread the initiative in several communities

The entrepreneur and environmentalist Diego Saldanha developed a post powered by solar energy to illuminate the community where he lives, in Colombo, in the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba (PR). The initiative started to be discussed a few months ago, until Diego and his friend, a metalworker, Marcelo, decided to put the project into practice. According to Marcelo Quintilhano, Diego asked him what could be done, and the metalworker replied: “man, I can help, you provide the material and I will provide my labor.”

Idea Born from Daily Difficulties

According to Marcelo, the two embraced the cause together and will do good in their community in the Curitiba region, in addition to passing the idea along. The first post was raised about a week ago and quickly caught the attention of the local press.

According to Diego, the initiative arose from a difficulty: the street where they live is private and does not have public lighting, leaving it completely dark at night. To solve the problem, solar panels were installed to generate electricity for the solar-powered post.

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The post features a 180-watt LED on a 4-meter-tall metal pole, which brightly illuminates everything around it, keeping up with regular posts. This is yet another initiative from Diego, who six years ago developed an eco-barrier to clean the Atuba River in Curitiba, which runs behind his house. Since then, tons of garbage have been collected, and the project has been improved. The environmentalist has been recognized for the initiative and has won several awards.

Solar-Powered Post May Leave Curitiba and Benefit Other Communities

Before the installation of the solar-powered post, the entire area with 11 houses where Diego and Marcelo live was completely dark at night, and after the innovation arrived, as soon as night falls, everything becomes brighter.

The common area is a kind of private street where public lighting does not reach. With the yard illuminated, multiple children can now play until nightfall. This is an innovation that Diego aims to take to other yards and communities that need it, beyond this one in Curitiba.

This is a pilot project developed on his street, with his own resources, and Diego’s idea is to promote it so that supporters and sponsors emerge, making the idea of advancing the project to other regions without access to public lighting possible.

Diego highlights that he needs help to expand this project, which is why he is starting on his street, showing that the cost is low compared to the comfort and safety it brings to residents.

Other Innovative Projects That Bring Solar Energy to Underserved Communities

The Pisco de Luz is an initiative developed to benefit people living in more remote areas without access to basic services, such as electricity. The project started in 2017 and has since benefited several families in the Kalunga community who lived without electricity in Cavalcante, Goiás.

The project came about through an experience that André Viegas, a businessman from Brasília, witnessed while visiting the community to carry out volunteer work.

André noticed that the cell phone flashlight was the only way to see anything at night. The businessman’s first idea was to take advantage of solar energy, which is extremely abundant in Brazil.