Making Energy Efficient Streetlights a Reality

Cities all over the world are converting streetlights to low-energy Light Emitting Diode (LED) fixtures, and with good reason. LEDs use 70 percent less energy and last four times as long, according to the Clinton Climate Initiative. Retrofits of conventional streetlights pay for themselves in three to seven years.

In addition to energy savings and longer life, LEDs have other advantages. The brightness and color of individual LED fixtures can be adjusted after installation to meet the needs of business districts, residential neighborhoods and parks, even from season to season. A central maintenance facility can monitor when lights go out via wireless technology. LEDs can be programmed to flash during emergencies or to operate as way-finding devices during special events.