Solar power lights up Iraq

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it is working with the Iraqi government on solar power.

Solar energy will now light streets in Baghdad, Basra, Fallujah, Kharma and Sakalaweyah.

"The lights that we installed have an 80-watt panel on them, a lead-acid battery and an 18-watt fluorescent lightbulb on them," said John Offen, an engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The U.S. ACE has installed more than 800 lights and still have between 600 and 700 more to go, Offen said.

The U.S. Marines paid for the light installations so they could feel a little safer on night patrol, though it's difficult to tell if there has been a difference in crime.

In Baghdad, Iraq's Ministry of Electricity has installed 5,000 solar-powered streetlights, and there are plans to install more, said Ali Allak with the Army Corps of Engineers.

The ACE is also looking into solar energy solutions for Iraqi homes.