A lot of praise is given to solar LED street lights for being the modern solution to lighting
up our streets and highways. But it pays to understand just why this type of lighting is
such a good idea and why it’s important that we start using it as soon as we can.
There are plenty of reasons to switch to solar for your home or your business, but if
we’re talking about a city or nationwide change in lighting schemes, what are the main
reasons for us to choose solar energy and LED lights in particular?
GREEN
Most obviously, the biggest reason to do so would be because it’s what we call a green
alternative for energy. It’s infinitely renewable with the Sun’s rays being its energy
source, it does not harm the environment by taking away finite resources, and it does
not disrupt any ecological sites like, say, building a dam or mining for coal.
The industrial revolution has made our forefathers very trigger-happy about using non-
renewable fuels en masse to power our world. It worked gloriously for a time, but those
non-renewable sources are dwindling fast, and our planet will not be able to keep up
with steadily increasing energy demands if we keep sticking to our old roots.
Solar energy solves that by giving us an energy source that is available in bulk for half
an entire day. More than enough to give us the juice needed to light up our world come
nightfall. And it will keep doing that for a very, very long time.
SAFE
One underrated aspect of LED lighting has always been its controllability in terms of
how much light can be directed, how far the light will spread, and how bright it can be to
accommodate certain conditions such as proximity to residential areas or its effect on
the vision of motorists.
LED lighting can be controlled in such a way to provide an even spread of light over an
area, allowing for fewer moments where a motorist will experience rapid alternating
between light and dark areas of highways which cause visual fatigue. A more consistent
lighting situation will also acclimate them better to the sight of the road, allowing them
to see clearly and be prepared for any hazards.
The brightness of the LED lights can also be determined in such a way as to consider
how bright it needs to be to prevent any drowsiness in dimmer lighting, but also not be
too bright to cause any eye-damaging glare. This flexibility is important in creating a
safe environment for our motorists to travel in.
But the benefits don’t stop with just motorists. LED street lighting is also important in
keeping the safety and security of pedestrians in their best interests. Sufficient lighting
allows for pedestrians to traverse streets without fearing any unseen threats. They are
also more visible to motorists, decreasing the chances of fatalities due to low visibility.
Brighter lighting gives way to less hazardous situations.
Certain LED lights can also be fitted with traffic volume scanners and motion detectors.
If a certain part of the city is not frequented as much with foot traffic, the lights can be
set to dim until someone passes through, which by then it will light up the path
sufficiently to provide safe passage. This allows for lights to not consume too much
energy by being left on full power the whole night even when it’s not being used.
EFFICIENT
This is where the chemistry between solar energy and LED street lighting becomes very
apparent. Solar energy is an infinitely renewable resource and LED lights are very
efficient ways of distributing light. LED lights consume fewer Watts per Lumen than
traditional High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights. This decrease in required energy
consumption can allow city planners to allocate budgetary expenses toward other
things such as law enforcement, further endorsing them as safe, as previously
mentioned.
On the topic of LED vs HPS lights, avid stargazers will also be delighted to learn that
LED lights cause less light pollution than HPS lights. HPS lights tend to scatter light in
all directions, including upwards toward to night sky. LED lights being more focused on
a certain area allows for less light to escape upward, decreasing light pollution and
preserving a lovely, starry night.
Besides energy consumption, solar LED lights also have a leg up on the competition
because they are reliable and do not require as much focus on maintenance and
replacement as HPS lights do, making them not only energy efficient but cost-efficient
as well.
The benefits of solar LED lighting are boundless. And we’ve said litanies regarding its
positive environmental impact and its cost benefits. It should also be put out there that
they promote a safer, more accessible city for both motorists and pedestrians. A bright
city is a safe city, and it can be achieved through the power of solar and LED.
Make your city a brighter and safer community! Contact the solar experts at Quicklight
Solar and Lighting Solutions today and make a change.
