Solar Street Lighting for Municipalities

Post time: 2022-09-21 12:03:45

Increasing Safety and Security

We have firsthand experience with solar street lighting for municipalities.

Why Does Street Lighting Matter So Much?

Lighting provides safety and security, provides access to education, enhances architecture, and improves quality of life. Lighting also helps residents safely navigate. Though it's hard to measure, it has an impact on the atmosphere of the neighborhood as well.

Barriers to Street Lighting

The cost of installing traditional streetlighting is often highest in areas that need it most. Why? It can be hard to dig in these neighborhoods. Records for the underground infrastructure may be out of date. Infrastructure like sidewalks, paved streets and landscaping are usually in place. Costs for installing underground wiring include trenching and wiring. They also include traffic control, repaving, soil remediation and landscape repair. Whether a city leases or buys streetlights, these costs can prevent them from installing lighting.

Solar Street Lighting for Municipalities

Solar streetlights are completely autonomous. Because of this, installation is quick and causes little disruption. Using direct burial poles, it's not much different than planting a tree.

Solar streetlights also provide uninterrupted lighting during utility power outages and emergencies. They don't add to the load on the grid either. With zero emissions, these lights won't undermine your community's sustainability targets.

Getting Started

You need to provide a secure and safe environment. Off-the-shelf consumer grade lighting won't do the job. Be sure that you choose a municipal-grade solar lighting supplier. Expect them to configure your system and your lighting design to meet the needs of your location. Also look for guaranteed lighting 365 nights per year and batteries that will last 10 or more years. This cuts maintenance costs.

Energy availability varies based on your location. That's partly due to the angle of the sun at your latitude and partly due to the local climate. You will need an energy and lighting analysis. You can't predict the reliability of your lighting or your light levels without one.

The lighting design is important too. Too much glare or uneven lighting can make visibility worse, not better. Make sure the lighting design shows worst case (winter) performance.

Finally, don't forget to consider light pollution. Look for fixtures with zero uplight and shielding options. To get a free energy and lighting proposal for your street, contact us.

How Does Solar Lighting Offer More Long-Term Gains Compared to Traditional Lighting? Solar Lighting ROI