Kyocera Corporation and Kyocera Solar, Inc. are in the process of completing Brazil’s largest highway solar-lighting project on the Arco Metropolitano do Rio de Janeiro.
“From preliminary reports, the Brazilian government expects Arco Metropolitano to provide 16,000 jobs to the region and generate $90 million in tax revenue from sales tax generated at the municipal and federal levels, while bringing together parts of the country that were not easily accessible before,” Sergio Beninca, president of Kyocera Solar do Brasil, said. “Utilizing solar power allows the Brazilian government to deliver reliable light on the highway in areas without a traditional electricity grid. We’re honored to deliver a simple, energy-efficient solution to help advance this very important project for Brazil.”
More than half of the 90-mile highway project connecting the five main highways crossing Rio de Janeiro will be lit by stand-alone solar streetlights powered by Kyocera's modules. The modules, which were installed by Soter over the last two years, were funded by the Rio de Janeiro State Government.
The project is expected to help streamline transit logistics, improve traffic and reduce importing costs throughout the region. Improved transportation is expected to motivate economic growth in the rural region, which previously was not easily accessible.
“Kyocera continues to be dedicated to solar solutions that are helpful in rural areas,” Beninca said. “This solar lighting project helps contribute by not overburdening the energy grid system that many lower-income households in the area depend on.”
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