OGAN ILIR, JurnalPost.com – A community service team from the Faculty of Engineering at Universitas Sriwijaya (FT Unsri) has introduced a renewable energy-based lighting solution by installing solar-powered street lights on Jalan Tasik, Muara Penimbung Ilir Village, Indralaya District, Ogan Ilir Regency, South Sumatra.
This program serves as a contribution from the university to address the community's need for adequate street lighting, particularly in areas where improved security and safety for nighttime activities are required.
Through this initiative, the FT Unsri team installed three solar-powered street light units solar cell at strategic points along Jalan Tasik. The installation sites were determined through discussions with village officials, taking into account road conditions and the needs of the local community.
The presence of these lighting facilities is expected to help motorists and pedestrians travel more safely, especially at night when visibility is limited.
Harnessing Solar Energy for Street Lighting
Unlike conventional street lights that rely on the electrical grid, solar-powered street lights use sunlight as their primary energy source.
Solar panels capture sunlight during the day, which is then stored in batteries. This stored energy is used to power LED lights at night.
This lighting system is also equipped with light sensors that allow the lamps to turn on automatically when the environment becomes dark and turn off when sunlight is available again.
This technology offers several advantages, ranging from energy efficiency to ease of installation, as it does not require electrical wiring between poles.
Furthermore, the use of solar energy allows the lights to remain operational during power grid outages, provided the battery charge is sufficient.
The head of the FT Unsri community service team, Irsyadi Yani, explained that the program focuses not only on providing lighting facilities but also on delivering long-term benefits to the community.
"Through this initiative, we want to provide a tangible and sustainable impact for the community. Adequate street lighting is not just about aesthetics; it is a vital instrument in reducing crime rates and traffic accidents," said Irsyadi Yani.
According to him, street lighting is an essential facility for supporting community activities, especially in areas with limited lighting at night.
Involving Village Government and the Community
The implementation of this community service program involved not only the academic team from the Faculty of Engineering at Unsri but also the village government and local residents.
Since the planning stage, the team coordinated with Muara Penimbung Ilir village officials to determine installation locations based on field conditions.
This participatory approach was taken to ensure that the facilities built could be truly utilized by the community.
After the installation process was completed, the team handed over the solar-powered street light assets to the village government.
In addition to the handover, residents living near the installation sites received instructions on how to use the devices, including operating the light remotes and performing simple maintenance steps.
This education included the importance of cleaning the solar panels periodically so that energy absorption is not hindered by dust or dirt.
The community was also given an understanding of component maintenance so that the lighting system can be used optimally in the long term.
Resident involvement in maintenance is a crucial part of the program's sustainability, given that the installed lighting facilities require regular monitoring and upkeep.
Village Head Appreciates Unsri Team's Assistance
The Head of Muara Penimbung Ilir Village, Mahindera, expressed his appreciation for the contribution of the FT Unsri team in helping provide street lighting facilities for the community.
He hopes that this community service activity can be the beginning of a sustainable partnership between the village government and Universitas Sriwijaya.
"Thank you for the assistance from the Unsri team; hopefully, a good partnership will be established in the future," said Mahindera.
The village government welcomed the installation of the solar street lights as it helps improve the comfort of residents who travel along Jalan Tasik.
Better lighting is also expected to reduce the risk of accidents caused by limited visibility at night.
Promoting Renewable Energy Utilization in Rural Areas
The solar street light installation program in Muara Penimbung Ilir serves as an example of applying renewable energy technology to meet the infrastructure needs of rural communities.
The use of solar panels demonstrates that clean energy can be utilized for daily needs without having to rely entirely on conventional electricity supplies.
With relatively practical technology and an automatic operating system, solar street lights can be an alternative for providing lighting in areas that lack adequate facilities.
However, the success of this technology's application still requires periodic maintenance, battery management, and monitoring of device conditions so that its benefits can last in the long term.
The FT Unsri team hopes that the successful installation of the three units on Jalan Tasik can serve as a model for developing similar programs in other areas that still require street lighting.
This activity was carried out through grant funding from the Community-Based Community Service Scheme organized by Universitas Sriwijaya.
Through this program, the Faculty of Engineering at Unsri demonstrates the role of higher education in connecting the development of science and technology with the real needs of the community.
The presence of solar street lights in Muara Penimbung Ilir is expected to not only provide the benefit of lighting but also encourage public awareness regarding the importance of sustainable renewable energy utilization.
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