Canadian emergency solar airfield lights bought by Singapore

CANADA's Carmanah Technologies has taken a C$600,000 (US$657,560) order to install solar-powered airfield lights in Singapore.

The easy-to-install airfield lighting is portable and supports relief and humanitarian missions by providing quick and effective illumination along temporary airstrips during disasters.

Since Canada's Carmanah LED (light emitting diode) airfield lights do not require trenching or cabling, a company statement said, a two-person crew can install a fully operational 5,000-foot runway in an hour or less.

"We're very pleased to help support Singapore's emergency preparedness and humanitarian aid objectives through solar technology," said Allister Wilmott, business development manager for Carmanah's Aviation business unit. "This large-scale application of Carmanah's solar technology demonstrates the versatility of a solar solution as a reliable and cost-effective alternative to the traditional electrical or battery-powered systems."

In this application, each installation of radio-controlled solar airfield lights includes a set of solar-powered A704-5 airfield lights, "distance-to-go" marker lights, and handheld controllers. A built-in energy management system automatically aligns light levels with available energy resources to ensure the lights have the power they need to operate.

To date, Carmanah's radio controlled A704-5 solar-powered LED lights illuminate more than 45 airfields around the world, including commercial airports, helipads, remote air bases, and international airports, demonstrating usefulness in non-emergency situations as well, according to a company statement.

The order for emergency lights was received through Carmanah's authorised distributor in Singapore, Power Force Technologies Pte.