A partnership between Carmanah Technologies Corporation and ADB Airfield Solutions has recently resulted in the acquisition of a contract with the Venezuelan government for an upgrade to an Air Force base airfield lighting system at an undisclosed location.

Carmanah, a supplier of solar LED airfield lighting solutions for defense forces worldwide, was unable to comment on the whereabouts of the airfield, that is most likely somewhere in Venezuela.

The contract between Carmanah, ADB, and the Venezuela-based Iner Consultores, with the Venezuelan Air Force is valued above $300,000 USD.

The solar lighting upgrade project calls for the installation of blue Solar Aviation Taxiway Obstruction (SATO) lights by Carmanah in conjunction with an AC-powered approach system implemented by ADB, as well as ADB-made runway edge solar LED lights.

“I cannot provide an exact figure of how many lights will be installed, but I can say there will be approximately 300 solar LED lights installed,” said Mary Meldrum, a spokesperson for Carmanah.

In terms of how much the solar lights will offset the joint use of traditional power sources, Meldrum said, “It is difficult to gauge the percentages [of energy use] as this is an upgrade and a retrofit rather than a totally new installation. The projected energy savings are not known.”

The cost of the new project will be considerably lower though because the installation of the self-contained solar lights requires no trenching or cabling like traditional aviation lighting does, and the maintenance costs associated with solar lighting are relatively small.

“Our solar LED lights are covered by a 3-year limited warranty. Batteries should last for several years, and LED life expectancy can run upwards of a decade,” said Meldrum.

The solar installation, which was announced on Nov. 1, is expected to be swift.

“We anticipate the project to be completed by year’s end,” said Meldrum.

Pictured: Carmanah's solar LEDs provide a disco-like hue to this fighter plane. Image courtesy of Carmanah.