ENERGY EFFICIENT STREET LIGHTS

Shahed Ahmed, Kelvin Rodriguez, Mohsen Kanj

Table of Contents

Summary ………………………………………………………………………………… Page 3

Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………… Page 4

Project Description ..…………………………………………………………………… Page 5

Budget ………………………………………………………………………………….. Page 10

Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………… Page 11

References …………………………………………………………………………….. Page 12

Summary

The current state of street light infrastructure poses a persistent challenge in communities worldwide. The majority of neighboring areas struggle with outdated street lights, requiring frequent repairs. This issue has escalated over time, resulting in substantial governmental financial loss as thousands of dollars have been wasted on installing and maintaining each street light. In response to this issue, we have scrupulously developed a proposal, identifying a solution that addresses the problem at hand whilst aligning with the principles of affordability and sustainability. Our proposed approach will not only revolutionize the lighting in communities, but it will also significantly reduce the United States’ expenditure on streetlights in half to approximately $2,500 per streetlight.

Introduction

In numerous urban areas, inadequate street lighting has not only jeopardized public safety but has also incurred substantial energy and maintenance costs. Worst of all, due to the frequent lack of reporting, the issue at hand continues to pester and compound. Studies have demonstrated that poor street lighting contributes to increased nighttime accidents and criminal activity, and hampers nighttime economic activity, etc. Our proposal aims to rectify this issue by advocating for the adoption of solar panel-powered street lights as an efficient and environmentally friendly solution that enhances neighborhood safety.

According to Jividen Law Offices, “Without adequate lighting, it’s much more difficult for drivers to see potential hazards on the road, road signs, other drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Additionally, bad lighting can exacerbate certain driving hazards.” And then also taking into consideration that most car accidents occur during the night time, it makes sense. Considering the installation, power consumption from the city’s electrical grid, and then on top of that the additional expenses associated with repairs and maintenance, the traditional street lights become economically unsustainable.

According to Anethic, “On average, the cost of traditional street lights is around $2,000 to $5,000 per light, not including installation costs. On average, the cost of solar street lights is around $1,000 to $2,500 per light, including installation.” So not only do solar panel-powered street lights present a more cost-effective option but it also promotes sustainability through the use of renewable energy thus not having to rely on the city’s electrical grid.

Our proposal envisions the widespread implementation of this energy-efficient approach across U.S. neighborhoods to enhance the well-being of all Americans by ensuring their safety. For now, we plan on starting more locally through the Harlem neighborhood. By reducing the reliance on the city’s electrical grid and by harnessing the power from the sun through the use of solar panels, this initiative not only minimizes the U.S. overall carbon footprint but also addresses the problems associated with inadequate street lighting.

Project Description

Solar street lights are raised light sources that are powered by photovoltaic panels generally mounted on the lighting structure or integrated into the pole itself. The photovoltaic panels charge a rechargeable battery, which powers a fluorescent or LED lamp during the night. Most solar panels turn on and off automatically by sensing outdoor light using a light source. Solar street lights are designed to work throughout the night. Many can stay lit for more than one night if the sun is not available for a couple of days. Older models included lamps that were not fluorescent or LED. Solar lights installed in windy regions are generally equipped with flat panels to better cope with the winds.

The latest designs use wireless technology control for battery management. The street lights using this technology can operate as a network with each light having the capability of performing on or off the network.

Solar street lights are powered by energy from the sun. They don’t use fuel, gas, oil, electricity, or any other limited resource. Solar energy is 100% free, unlimited, and renewable. Because of this, sustainable solar streetlights are generally considered a practical lighting option. They use a clean and inexhaustible energy source without causing any harm to the environment.

Generally, solar-powered lights require less maintenance than conventional street lights. Solar street lights have fewer moving parts and minimal wiring. Since they’re not connected to an electrical grid, there are no connection problems that need fixing. Also, overheating is hardly a concern with solar street lights.

Solar street lights typically use light-emitting diode (LED) lights, which have a considerably longer life span compared to high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps used in regular street lights. Thus, it would take longer before the LED lamps of solar street lights need replacement. Also, solar panels are built to last for an extensive time. These qualities make solar-powered street lights a more low-maintenance option than traditional street lights.

Solar-powered street lights are more durable and have a longer lifespan than conventional street lights. For one thing, they don’t need to be turned on and off daily, which contributes to traditional street lights’ wear and tear.

In some remote or underdeveloped areas, cable theft is rampant, and this poses a problem with conventional street lights. In areas like these, installing cabled street lights is not recommended because the cables, which are quite costly, might end up being stolen.

With solar street lights, there are no cables involved, so cable theft is the least of your worries. Also, the absence of wires prevents accidents like electrocutions, overheating, and strangulation. It also eliminates the likelihood of short-circuiting lights due to excess electricity or overload.

Solar-powered street lights are outdoor lighting fixtures that use solar panels to capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. This energy is stored in batteries, powering LED lights during the night. They are controlled by a smart controller, often equipped with sensors for light levels, motion, and temperature. Solar street lights are eco-friendly, cost-effective, and suitable for areas with limited grid access, providing sustainable outdoor illumination.

To achieve the goal of implementing solar-powered street lights, you’ll need key resources like solar panels, batteries, LED light fixtures, controllers, sensors, mounting structures, and battery enclosures. Proper design, skilled installation teams, maintenance equipment, funding, regulatory approvals, and community support are also crucial. Careful supplier selection and personnel training are essential for a successful and sustainable project.

Obstacles to implementing solar-powered street lights include high initial costs, variations in sunlight availability, battery lifespan, and maintenance, theft and vandalism risks, regulatory challenges, potential community resistance, technical expertise limitations, budget constraints, environmental impact assessments, and insufficient maintenance and training. Overcoming these obstacles is essential for the successful adoption of solar street lighting systems.

Budget

• Solar-Powered Street Lights:
  • Total Fixtures Required for Harlem: Approximately 500
  • Cost per Fixture: $1,000
  • Total Cost for Fixtures: $500,000
• Installation Labor:
  • Labor Teams: 5 teams of 10 members
  • Labor Cost per Team: $150,000 (per 100 streetlight installations)
  • Total Labor Cost: $750,000
• Maintenance Equipment and Staff:
  • Routine Maintenance Equipment: $150,000
  • Maintenance Staff (Annual):
    • Number of Staff: 5
    • Annual Salary per Staff: $20,000
  • Total Maintenance Staff Cost (for 1 year): $100,000
  • Total Maintenance Cost: $250,000
•  

The total estimated budget to implement solar-powered street lights in Harlem is $1,500,000. This number includes the price of the lights, the cost of installation, and the cost of maintenance for one year. Since they are powered by the sun, there is no electricity cost, unlike conventional streetlights.

Conclusion

In conclusion, solar-powered street lights offer not just luminosity to our neighborhoods but various environmental and cost-saving advantages. By using the unlimited energy of the sun, these lights not only enhance public safety but also significantly reduce energy costs. Despite the hurdles of steep initial investments and potential community concerns, the enduring benefits of sustainability and minimal maintenance underscore the transformative potential of this initiative. Navigating these obstacles through meticulous planning is crucial for fulfilling our promise of a greener, safer, and more efficient future through the implementation of solar-powered street lights.

References

“Cost Comparison of Solar Street Lights vs Traditional Street Lights.” ANETHIC, Make a Light, Make It Well., www.anethic.com/blog/cost-comparison-of-solar-street-lights-vs-traditional-street-lights#:~:text=On%20average%2C%20the%20cost%20of,%242%2C500%20per%20light%2C%20including%20installation.

Jividen Law Offices, PLLC. “Common Dangers of Bad Street Lighting That Result in Car Accidents.” Jividen Law Offices, PLLC, 19 Apr. 2023, www.jividenlaw.com/blog/street-lighting-car-accidents/#:~:text=Without%20adequate%20lighting%2C%20it’s%20much,can%20exacerbate%20certain%20driving%20hazards.

Why are Solar LED lights considered a sustainable technology? Clear World, https://clearworld.us/why-are-solar-led-lights-considered-a-sustainable-technology/.

Green and Prosperous https://www.greenandprosperous.com/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-solar-street-lights

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