Lebanon’s Largest Solar Project Lights up a Green Highway

The road home for residents of the Bekaa town of Hermel is lit up for the first time, with the Transport Ministry now putting the final touches on new solar powered street lights in the area. Seven hundred sixty-six light posts were erected along the 10 kilometer road from the old train station on the Baalbek-Homs highway to Hermel, and on the 5 kilometer stretch connecting the town to Al-Qaa. Turned on earlier this month, the lights serve a dual purpose: They are meant both to increase road safety and are part of an effort to preserve the environment in a place which is still relatively unpolluted. Topping the light posts are mirrors which store solar energy during the day. Beneath them are bulbs that switch on at night or in foggy weather using the stored power. They are lit between nine and 12 hours out of every 24 period.  (Source)