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Project Name: Treichville District Solar Street Lighting Installation
Location: Treichville District, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Year of Completion: 2012
Application Type: Solar Street Lighting System
Installation Quantity: 890 units
Installation Height: 5 meters
Product Model: 30W Integrated Solar Street Light
Project Owner: Hitech
Project Manager: Mr. Wang
Project Type: Urban Main Road Lighting Enhancement
Objective: Improve visibility and community safety through sustainable, clean solar lighting solutions
1. Project Background
In 2012, Abidjan, the economic capital of Côte d’Ivoire, was entering a critical phase of post-conflict reconstruction and modernization.
Treichville District—historically one of the most vibrant commercial and residential areas—faced long-standing challenges with poor night-time visibility and insufficient public lighting infrastructure.
Boulevard de Marseille, an 8.7-kilometer artery connecting the city center with the port area, had become a traffic and pedestrian safety concern.
Frequent night accidents, thefts, and reduced business activity prompted the local municipality to seek a renewable, self-sufficient lighting solution.
Under the “Abidjan Light Up Initiative”, Hitech was awarded the contract to design and install a large-scale solar street lighting system, leveraging its proven track record in African solar infrastructure projects.
2. Technical Overview
2.1 System Configuration
| Component | Specification | Quantity / Unit |
|---|---|---|
| LED Lighting Module | 30W High-Efficiency LED (4,200 lm, 5000K) | 1 per unit |
| Solar Panel | 65W Monocrystalline Silicon | 1 per unit |
| Battery | 12.8V 24Ah LiFePO₄ (Lithium Iron Phosphate) | 1 per unit |
| Controller | Smart Light/Time Control (Auto On/Off, Overcharge & Overdischarge Protection) | 1 per unit |
| Pole | Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel, 5m height, 1.2m foundation | 1 per unit |
Each lighting system is completely independent of the grid, designed to sustain 5 consecutive rainy or cloudy days and operate with minimal maintenance.
2.2 Lighting Design Parameters
| Parameter | Design Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Average Illuminance | ≥18 lx | Road surface centerline (average) |
| Uniformity Ratio | ≥0.35 | Illumination distribution |
| Color Temperature | 5000K | White daylight spectrum |
| Operating Time | 12 hours/night | 6h full power + 6h half power |
| Autonomy | ≥5 days | Without sunshine |
| System Lifetime | ≥10 years | Design service life |
3. Project Implementation
3.1 Site Survey and Planning
A joint technical team from Hitech and the Treichville Municipal Lighting Office conducted a 10-day detailed field survey in March 2012.
Data collected included:
- GPS-based road mapping and pole positioning
- Soil and foundation analysis
- Obstacle clearance and underground cable mapping
Result: a comprehensive Lighting Layout & Foundation Map for all 890 units.
To avoid underground utilities, minimum safe clearance of 0.8m was ensured between pole foundations and existing conduits.
3.2 Material Logistics
- Origin: Shenzhen, China
- Shipping: 4 × 40-ft high-cube containers
- Total Weight: 58 tons
- Port of Entry: Abidjan Port
A local warehouse in Treichville served as the staging and quality inspection site.
All components underwent a 100% inspection before installation.
Installation Team Composition:
| Role | Personnel | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese Engineers | 6 | Technical supervision, commissioning |
| Local Workers | 32 | Foundation work, assembly, installation |
| Local Electricians | 4 | Wiring and safety inspections |
Average installation rate: 25–30 units/day per team across three concurrent work teams.
3.3 Installation and Commissioning
- Construction Period: May – July 2012 (60 days)
- Concrete Foundation: C25-grade, 1.2m depth, 7-day curing
- Solar Panel Orientation: South-facing, tilted 5° west for optimal irradiance
- Testing: Lux measurements conducted at 50m intervals
All 890 solar street lights were successfully installed and operational by July 8, 2012.
A final inspection and performance verification were completed jointly by Hitech engineers and the Abidjan municipal authority.
4. Project Results and Performance Data
4.1 Lighting & Safety Improvements
| Indicator | Before Project | After Project | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Road Illuminance | <6 lx | 18–20 lx | +200% |
| Lighting Uniformity | 0.15 | 0.35 | +133% |
| Pedestrian Visibility | ~20 m | 50 m | +150% |
| Night Traffic Accidents (annual) | 68 cases | 42 cases | ↓38% |
| Reported Street Crimes (nighttime) | 23 cases/month | 9 cases/month | ↓61% |
The improved lighting significantly enhanced both traffic and personal safety, while also revitalizing nighttime commercial activity.
4.2 Energy and Environmental Performance
| Item | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Average Daily Solar Irradiance | 5.4 kWh/m²/day | Abidjan regional average |
| Annual Clean Energy Generation | ~118,000 kWh | Total output of 890 lights |
| Annual CO₂ Emission Reduction | 97 tons | Compared to conventional grid lighting |
| Annual Electricity Savings | ≈ USD 21,000 | Based on local energy cost |
| System Failure Rate | <0.2% | Verified during 2-year post-completion monitoring |
4.3 Community and Social Impact
Following the installation, Treichville residents and businesses reported immediate improvements in daily life.
Shops and food stalls along the boulevard extended their working hours by 2–3 hours per night, and local nightlife became safer and more active.
Testimonial:
“Before, the street was too dark at night, and we closed early.
Now, with these solar lights, customers feel safe, and our business has grown.”
— Ms. Mariam, Owner of “Le Petit Marché”, Treichville
The project became a symbol of sustainable recovery for Abidjan, demonstrating how technology and humanity can illuminate urban life.
5. Quality Control and Maintenance Training
5.1 Quality Management Measures
| Phase | Key Control Activity |
|---|---|
| Design | Compliance with IEC 60598, ISO 9001 standards |
| Procurement | Supplier certification, product aging test (≥72h) |
| Construction | Weekly random illuminance inspection |
| Commissioning | Full-function system verification |
| Post-installation | On-site acceptance & long-term performance tracking |
All LED modules, batteries, and controllers passed 100% quality tests before shipment.
5.2 Local Capacity Building
Hitech provided technical training for 12 municipal maintenance technicians, covering:
- Light module replacement procedures
- Battery performance evaluation
- Controller programming and diagnostics
This ensured the municipality’s ability to maintain the system independently over the long term.
6. Long-Term Operation and Sustainability
After more than 10 years of operation, over 98% of the solar street lights remain functional, requiring minimal maintenance.
Routine inspections show average light degradation of only 7% after eight years, confirming the high reliability of Hitech’s system design.
The project has since served as a reference model for subsequent lighting upgrades in the Marcory and Port Bouet districts, which adopted similar Hitech systems based on the Treichville success.
7. Lessons Learned
- Localized Design Matters: Accounting for solar radiation and climate ensured reliable year-round performance.
- Community Engagement: Early involvement of residents increased project acceptance and reduced vandalism.
- Knowledge Transfer: Training local technicians secured long-term sustainability.
- Durability: The LiFePO₄ battery and corrosion-resistant poles contributed to the low failure rate (<0.2%).
8. Conclusion
The Treichville Solar Street Lighting Project stands as a landmark in Côte d’Ivoire’s renewable energy development.
By integrating advanced solar technologies with human-centered design, Hitech helped transform a once-dark boulevard into a safe, vibrant, and sustainable urban space.
“We illuminate not just the streets, but the path to a brighter, cleaner future.”
— Mr. Wang, Project Manager, Hitech
Through this 2012 initiative, Hitech demonstrated its engineering excellence, environmental responsibility, and dedication to empowering African cities through green technology.
9. Project Summary Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Location | Treichville District, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire |
| Completion Date | July 8, 2012 |
| Total Units Installed | 890 |
| Installation Height | 5 meters |
| Product Model | 30W Integrated Solar Street Light |
| Energy Type | Solar (Off-grid) |
| Average Illuminance | ≥18 lx |
| CO₂ Reduction | 97 tons/year |
| Annual Savings | USD 21,000 |
| Failure Rate | <0.2% |
| Safety Improvement | 38% fewer traffic accidents |
| Project Owner | Hitech |
| Project Manager | Mr. Wang |
Prepared by: Hitech International Project Engineering Department
Date: July 2012
