Solar panels power lights in Mandaluyong tunnel

With the installation of solar panels on top of the Boni tunnel, the city government of Mandaluyong expects to save up to P240,000 every year in electrical costs.

Last week, the 280-meter-long tunnel became the first to use solar power as a source of lighting.

“This will mean so much savings for us. Before, there had always been debates on who should pay for the electricity costs in the tunnel. The responsibility was passed on to us. Now, our expenses will be P200,000 less,” Mayor Benhur Abalos said during the turn-over ceremony of the new lighting system using light emitting diodes (LED) last week.

The new lighting system is one of the Aquino government’s public-private partnership projects under the Department of Energy (DOE).

According to DOE, the Boni tunnel will be illuminated at daytime using the solar panel. At night time, the power source will switch to the grid.

The LED technology used in the tunnel is envisioned as the model system for lighting other tunnels across the country as Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said they intend to install solar-powered LEDs in other tunnels.

“Ayala tunnel could be next,” Almendras added.