Renewable Energy Sources

The Green Column from Marlec Engineering Co., UK is an alterative energy source which runs on wind and solar energy. In road transportation, the Green Column helps light up remote locations which do not have access to regular power. The power generated can run light for up to 16 hours a day. A Rutland 913 Windcharger wind turbine, manufactured by Marlec, supplies wind power to the Green Column while BP Solar photovoltaic panels provide the solar power.

The solar panel, together with the wind charger, ensures power all year round, from hot summers to icy, cold, winters. The Green Column starts charging with wind speeds as low as 2.5m/s or 5mph so that gentle breezes are enough to start delivering power. The solar panel comes in two sizes with peak power ratings of 30W and 65W, with an option to order customised sizes. The low profile, high impact material used in the lamp housing minimises upward, unwanted reflection of light, thereby increasing the efficiency of the low energy, state of the art LED lamp built into the lamp housing. Setting up the Green Column is quick. It can be installed in less than a day. It does not require digging up trenches on the roads for laying power cables – a process which is expensive, often goes on for days, and also destroys roads. The Green Column comes with a high quality, long life sealed battery. The battery typically delivers reserve power up to five days in winters and 10 days during summers. Once installed, the Green Column requires minimal maintenance. It is a good lighting solution for road safety signs and indicators, footpaths in parks, car parks, road lighting, bus shelters and airfields.