Solar street lighting
Public realm schemes
As an alternative to traditional or LED street lighting, VolkerHighways has adopted solar street lighting in Luton and Wokingham. This sustainable solution produces zero carbon, no electricity waste and eliminates the need for cabling, trenching, feeder cabinets and connecting to the grid for electrical supply.
Solar lighting in Luton
The first solution includes the installation of 25 columns and solar street lights at Kingsway Recreation Ground in Luton, as well as 35 columns and units at Wandon Park in Luton. Solar lighting saves up to 93.53kg CO2 per year compared to a like-for-like streetlight.
The passive lanterns automatically come on at night and remain at 20% brightness until someone is within 15 metres on either side of the street light where it then switches to full power. Each street light is evenly spaced 30 metres apart and the units require no maintenance, other than cleaning every few years.
There is the option to add a monitoring system to the units which is controlled via an app. This would enable the team to remotely review the lantern’s performance including checking if there are any faults or increase the brightness.
360 degree wrap solar lighting in Wokingham
The second 360 degree wrap solar street lighting was installed at Shinfield Studios – the UK’s largest film and TV studio, in Wokingham. The nine hybrid solar lighting columns, evenly spaced along the footpath, require just daylight to charge, even during the low-sunlight winter months. As hybrid units, they offer flexibility by connecting to the grid if additional power is needed.
The dynamic columns attract sunlight at all directions and provide 20% brightness 24/7 which increases to 100% power when someone moves within 10 metres of the columns.
This type of solar lighting offers a significant environmental benefit, saving 11 tonnes of carbon over a 25 year period compared to traditional streetlights.
“Every action we take as a council matters when it comes to reducing our town’s carbon emissions. Installing zero carbon street lighting in these areas will not only save emissions and money but also help keep our residents safe at night.”
Cllr Javed Hussain Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development and Highways at Luton Council