© Cool Down Sidewalk by Solar TampaHurricane Irma prompted Tampa, Florida to launch a pilot program to integrate solar panels into a vital part of the city's infrastructure.
In 2017, a storm in Tampa caused massive power outages, including traffic lights. This led to long traffic jams and fatal car accidents. Tampa took quick action to prevent this from happening in future storms.
In the summer of 2020, Tampa Solar Crossroads began embedding solar panels in cement on city sidewalks and installed 84 solar panels at a downtown intersection.
By continuing to operate in situations where traffic lights would otherwise be off, the solar program will be able to provide Tampa residents with a level of safety and peace of mind that was previously unattainable. At the same time, the panels allow cities to cut costs with more affordable solar power.
These panels are designed to produce electricity for three to five days and are able to withstand hurricane force winds. Custom-built by Sun Earth of Canada, it was "tough enough to drive lawn mowers and withstand the slippery feet of pedestrians".
These panels recently underwent their first major test when Hurricane Ian wreaked havoc in Florida in late September 2022. The storm did not hit Tampa directly, but its impact was enough to see how the panels perform in harsh weather conditions. unfavorable.
The panels withstood the storm so brazenly that even on days with little or no sun, they continued to generate electricity. "Looking at our electricity bill, it's currently producing what we might use in a typical month," said Brandon Campbell, city manager of Smart Mobility.
The effectiveness of these panels will continue to be monitored as the city explores the use of this inexpensive, weather-resistant technology.
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Tampa has installed about 100 solar panels on its sidewalks, which is why it debuted on The Cool Down.
