To help combat the mild depression commuters may experience when the sun only rises for five hours per day in one northern Swedish town, a local energy company has installed ultra-violet lamps at about 30 bus stops.

"This is so people can get a little energy kick as they are waiting," said a spokesperson for Umea Energi.

Light therapy lamps provide certain wavelengths that are a proven benefit for seasonal affective disorder, which is caused by lost sunlight exposure. The lamps are designed to filter out most UV light, which can cause skin damage.

Because of the northern latitude, daylight hours in the company's home town of Umea dwindle in December, when the sun comes up at about 10 a.m. and disappears again at about 2:30.

(Source: Reuters via Engineering and Technology Magazine)