Spain’s First 100% Solar-Powered Off-Grid Traffic Light

On April 28, 2025, a nationwide power outage collapsed the electrical grid and disabled traffic lights across the country. Roads were blocked, emergency services delayed, and thousands of pedestrians put at risk. Incidents like this reveal just how vulnerable urban infrastructure can be when it depends entirely on the power grid.

Our response is Spain’s first fully solar-powered fixed traffic light. It is intelligent, autonomous, and completely disconnected from the grid, making it immune to blackouts and ensuring uninterrupted operation, even in emergencies. This solution is already being piloted in the city of Sant Feliu de Llobregat. Far from being just another test, it marks a milestone in the history of road safety.

Protected by a registered patent, this system lays the groundwork for a new model of energy-autonomous infrastructure. It can be applied to both new and existing traffic light systems and reduces energy consumption by up to 90%. Even on cloudy days, just a few hours of indirect sunlight are enough to power the light overnight and allow it to continue functioning for up to three days without a single ray of sun. This not only eliminates electricity costs permanently but also prevents the release of up to one ton of CO₂ per year for every fifty intersections where it is installed. Maintenance costs are also reduced significantly, since around sixty percent of traffic light failures are caused by voltage fluctuations—something that off-grid operation avoids entirely. By not requiring grid access, this system can also bring traffic safety to rural, isolated, or underserved areas.

The system uses artificial intelligence to prevent pedestrian accidents through voice alerts, warning of fast-approaching vehicles or attempts to cross during a red light. It also collects and manages real-time green data to support mobility decision-making and can detect tampering or system failures before they affect service.

Our sustainable and socially inclusive approach makes the solution eligible for public funding, enabling low-cost implementation and delivering tangible benefits to citizens. Aligned with seven UN Sustainable Development Goals, this innovation contributes directly to the transition toward safer, more sustainable cities.

We have developed a business model that is lean and highly scalable, capable of generating immediate impact. Instead of competing with the sector, we partner with existing maintenance providers already working in cities. We do not require heavy industrial infrastructure, which keeps fixed costs low and allows for rapid growth and deployment. This model enables simultaneous action in multiple locations and fast rollout across Spain and other countries where our patents are already in place.

Our participation in the Red Innpulso network, as official representatives of our city, has given us visibility, credibility, and access to strategic contacts, leading to ongoing negotiations with municipalities across the country. With this project, we aim to set a new standard for sustainable and resilient traffic light infrastructure.