According to a report in The Hindu, the law states that all billboards be lit by solar power voltaic systems, installed and paid for by the sign owners. As with India, there are many nations whose energy issues force them to take into consideration any option that may save cost. And though forcing sign owners to use cheaper energy sources, as in Delhi, may sound harsh, the concept of alternative energy for sign components is not so foreign to some major companies.

LEDtronics, Inc. of Torrance, California, now has a satellite office in Karachi, Pakistan. The LED manufacturer is working with Pakistani officials to more efficiently light various aspects of the country's infrastructure. They are installing LEDtronics-designed LEDs and powering them with solar panels. The typical system utilizes a 15-Watt solar panel and three 1.2-Watt LED bulbs that can be illuminated for up to six hours on one charge. Systems using two and four LED bulbs and solar panels of six and fifteen watts are also being installed.

LEDtronics President and CEO Pervaiz Lodhie dedicates much time and energy working with the National Rural Support Program and the Alternative Energy Development Board in Pakistan to help integrate LED technology into the country's lighting scheme.

Sign companies in Europe are investigating alternative energy sources as well. Fausto Martin, technical manager for Siet, in Italy, points out that wind can also be a source of lighting energy. One experimental windmill installed in Germany harnesses the wind's power to illuminate the circular neon lights that cover it. As engineers continue to research it, Martin makes an interesting observation about wind as an energy source: "In less than six months, it generates the volume of energy that was required for its manufacture."

—Chris Ytuarte

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With an average LED life span of 100,000-plus hours (11 years), LEDs operate reliably year-after-year. Solid-state design renders LEDs impervious to electrical and mechanical shock, vibration, frequent switching and environmental fluctuation. Integrated current-limited resistors prevent short-circuiting. LED lamps use only 10% - 20% of the energy consumed by equivalent incandescent lamps that when combined with their maintenance-free operation results in substantial cost savings.

LEDtronics, manufactures LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) Lamps for a wide variety of applications from decorative lighting, Signage, panel mounts, Industrial lighting to theme parks. Our product line encompasses an array of direct incandescent replacement Based LED lamps and bulbs, Low cost Snap-in and Relampable Panel Mount LED lamps, for all standard electrical bases and voltages.

For additional information, contact LEDtronics toll free at 1-800-579-4875, telephone 310-534-1505, fax at 310-534-1424, click here to email us or mail at LEDtronics Inc., 23105 Kashiwa Court, Torrance, CA 90505.

Visit our website at www.LEDtronics.com.

For Technical Information Contact:
Jordon Papanier at 310-534-1505
E-Mail: webmaster@ledtronics.com