A Singaporean startup is planning to install streetlamps in three villages in Kompong Chhnang province later this year in an effort to enhance safety for people making their way home at night.
Fosera Lighting is raising money through an online campaign to construct 75 solar-powered streetlights along the dark roads of Kraing Learve, Toek Laak and Trapaing Kravann villages, said Robert Haendel, CEO and founder of Fosera, a spinoff of the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore.
“When factory workers come home from work and there is no light in their villages, there is a higher risk [of harm], so these lights will help them,” he said, adding that the lights will be installed on roads leading to health centers, schools, water wells and temples in the villages.
Fosera expects to construct 19 lights in Kraing Learve, 26 lights in Toek Laak and 30 lights in Trapaing Kravann.
Mr. Haendel said the company teamed up with nonprofit organizations World Toilet Organization and BoP Hub, a group that aims at producing affordable services for poor communities, to select the villages in Cambodia.
The project is Fosera’s first attempt at commercially producing the independent lighting system, known as Commlight. The lights are powered by lithium iron phosphate batteries, charged by the sun’s rays, and are turned on and off automatically as the sun sets and rises as well as by a built-in motion sensor.
The life expectancy of each light is 10 years.
“We just started the donations [process] in August for Cambodia. It ends in September. We will then produce the lights, ship them over in October and they will be installed by November,” said Mr. Haendel.
On its fundraising website Monday, Fosera stated it had raised about $3,500, or enough to construct 10 lights. The company’s goal is $33,500. One light costs $360.
Mr. Haendel said that while Fosera plans to install 75 lights, the company will only construct the number of lights it has raised money for.
“[Cambodia] is an example to show investors,” he said.
