LEDs: More Cities Tap Stimulus Package For LED Street Lights
Cities across the USA are making their streetlights brighter and greener by switching to LEDs(Solid State Lighting). Light-emitting diodes produce light when exposed to an electrical charge. They cost more than traditional lights, but last longer because they don't have filaments and use less electricity. Several cities, including Ann Arbor,Mich.,and Anchorage, have installed Solid State Lighting streetlights, and dozens more are planning conversions. At least 30 cities have asked for more than $104 million in federal stimulus funds to make the change. Pittsburgh City Council votes Wednesday on a bid deadline to test SSL for its five year,$25 million plan to replace 40,000 streetlights. Councilman William Peduto, a Democrat, says the city could cut its $4 million tab for power and repairs. " Our goal is to become one of the leaders in a full transformation to LED technology," he says. San Jose will convert 100 lights this spring and is seeking $20 million in stimulus money for up to 25,000 more. City Transportation director, Jim Helmer, hopes to change all 62,000 streetlights by 2022. Besides cutting the 4 million annual electric bill for streetlights , San Jose SSL will have transmitters and receivers so they can alert the city when maintenance is needed. They can be dimmed overnight, brightened when pedestrians are near and flash to guide first responders. Solar panels could power them, Helmer says, so higher cost; about $1000 for an SSL streetlight compared to $250 for a traditional one; can be quickly offset and energy fed back into the power grid. City budgets are being squeezed and 50% energy savings is significant. ELSEWHERE: If Milwaukee gets $14 million in stimulus funds it is seeking for the project, it will replace 6,700 of 67,709 streetlights with SSL, says Bob Bryson, chief street-lighting engineer. Missouri City, Texas, wants to convert 75% of its 31,000 streetlights to Solid State Lighting. Public Works Director Scott Elmer says electricity for each would be $7.50 a month, compared with $14.77 for incandescent lamps. Urbana ILL., is testing SSL streetlights. Public Works Director Bill Gray says their lifespan is about 14 years compared with two years for current lights.
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