The Need to light Karrantza
In Karrantza valley, located in the heart of the Basque Country, the absence of adequate lighting in remote areas had turned daily life into a constant challenge for its inhabitants. Areas far from the electricity grid suffered not only from darkness but also from the consequences of darkness. The lack of light increased the risk of traffic accidents on poorly lit roads and facilitated the occurrence of theft, affecting the safety and well-being of the community.
Darkness in rural areas, back roads and secondary roads significantly complicated the mobility of residents after dark, reducing the quality of life and limiting activities after dark. In addition, the perception of insecurity intensified among neighbours, creating an atmosphere of constant concern. In this context, the need to find an efficient and sustainable lighting solution was more than a convenience, it was an urgency to improve public safety and the quality of life of Karrantza's citizens.
Challenges to Illuminate Karrantza
The main barrier to bringing lighting to the most needy areas of Karrantza was their inaccessibility to the electricity grid. Many of the areas requiring lighting were in rural areas or in difficult terrain where the installation of traditional electrical infrastructure, such as trenches and manholes, was not only costly but often unfeasible due to space restrictions or the environmental impact that could be generated.
In addition, the cost of extending the electricity grid to these remote areas was prohibitive, making conventional lighting projects almost impossible. The complexity and high cost associated with these installations left Karrantza in a complicated situation, where the need for lighting was great, but solutions seemed out of reach.
Staria's Solution for Karrantza
Faced with this situation, Karrantza town council contacted Staria to explore lighting solutions that could be adapted to the unique characteristics of the valley. Staria, conocida por sus soluciones innovadoras en iluminación solar autónoma, se presentó como la opción perfecta para abordar los desafíos específicos de Karrantza.
The Staria team carried out an exhaustive analysis of the lighting needs of each point to be illuminated, as well as a detailed study of the solar radiance in the region. This enabled the design of a tailor-made solar streetlight system, optimised for the meteorological and geographical conditions of the valley.
Each streetlight was designed to maximise the collection of sunlight and ensure efficient and constant illumination, without relying on the grid.
Implementation and Results
The installation of the solar street lights in Karrantza was remarkably quick and efficient. As no grid connection was required, the installation process was greatly simplified, being limited to the foundation and anchoring of the columns with the luminaires, as well as the proper orientation of the solar panels. This speed of installation allowed residents to enjoy the benefits of solar lighting in record time.
Since the first night they were up and running, with the streets and roads of Karrantza bathed in a safe and constant light. The streetlights proved to be exceptionally robust and resilient, withstanding adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain, winds of up to 155 km/h and even unexpected snowfalls. The reliability of these solutions not only met immediate lighting needs but also reinforced the community's confidence in sustainable technologies.
Long-term Impact and Community Satisfaction
The implementation of solar lighting in Karrantza had a transformative impact on the community. Residents expressed deep gratitude and satisfaction for the improvement in their life quality, demonstrating how an investment in sustainable technology can result in significant and lasting benefits for a community. Furthermore, this project has become a role model for other regions with similar challenges, demonstrating that sustainability and innovation can go hand in hand to effectively improve living conditions in rural and remote areas.