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Solar street lighting is here to stay. Not since the adoption of LED technology has their been such a dramatic leap forward in street lighting technology.
As we wrote in a recent ILP Journal article, the advances in solar technology mean it is now a viable and realistic solution here in the UK.
However just because solar lighting is shiny and new, it doesn’t mean it should be adopted without question. It’s important for lighting engineers to be able to make a clear and well reasoned business case for the use of solar lighting over conventional wired solutions.
Whilst solar lighting offers a number of intangible benefits such as improved resident pride at the used of a green solution, this article will focus on tangible results.
These are the hard numbers that will help all involved in the specification and installation of lighting achieve buy in for their solar lighting project. The benefits we will calculate are;
Choosing solar lighting over conventional wired units allows for an immediate cost saving thanks to reduced installation costs.
This reduction in costs is permitted because solar lighting means;
To calculate installation cost savings, you can use the following formula.
Installation savings = N x (CC + MC) + (TC x MT) – (DUC x N)
N – Number of units to install
CC – Cost of cutout
EC – Cost of mains electricity connection
TC – Trenching cost per metre
MT – Metres of trenching required
DUC – Difference in unit cost
As solar lighting draws all of its power from the sun, there is no ongoing cost for energy. The yearly cost saving this presents can be calculated using the following formula.
Annual Electricity Cost Saving = N x W x H x 365 x C/1000
W – Output wattage
H – Hours of illumination per day
C – Cost (in £) per kWh – Average of £0.14
In June 2019, the UK became the first major economy to pass laws to end its contribution to climate change. The legislation requires the UK to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
As this deadline approaches, the reduction of emissions permitted by the use of solar lighting products will become increasingly valuable.
To determine the yearly reduction in Co2 emissions, use the following formula.
Annual emissions savings in Kg = N x W x W x 365 x E/1000
E – UK grid emissions per kWh (currently 0.367 Kg)
You can easily calculate yearly Co2 savings using our solar business case spreadsheet. To download, simply click the button below.
An online or in person CPD designed for lighting engineers, contractors, designers and architects. You will leave the course with a firm grasp on the different components of a solar street light, how they work and how best to make use of solar technology. Contact us if you’d like to book a CPD.
This tool can be used to compare installation costs of wired and solar lighting schemes and to calculate the installation cost savings available by using solar technology.
Unit F1 Grafton WayWest Ham Industrial EstateBasingstoke, HantsRG22 6HY
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©2020 Acrospire
Our story
The idea for Acrospire was formed in 2012 when founder Tim envisioned a different kind of lighting manufacturer: one that would not only deliver outstanding customer experiences but also prioritise fair treatment for its employees.
We’ve come a long way
Motivated by the belief the industry wanted and needed better, Tim shared his plan to establish his own venture with Hatty, who simply couldn't let him do it alone.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Protecting local jobs and ensuring the best quality possible.
Working from a rented office by day and assembling lanterns in a garage at night, Tim and Hatty set to work.
11 Years later
Acrospire now inhabits a 14000² ft manufacturing facility in Basingstoke, Hampshire. We’re a proud partner of the Made in Britain scheme, ISO9001 certified and a member of all relevant lighting industry trade bodies.
Along with great relationships with our customers and a great team! We've attracted some of the most experienced members of the lighting industry, all by following one golden rule.
A simple ethos
That runs through all that we do. Customers who have made the switch to Acrospire have found working with us to be a breath of fresh air.
If you’re a professional in the lighting industry, you’re probably familiar with warranties that range from 3 to 10 years, with extensions available on special request or at additional cost. At Acrospire, where we’re proud to be different, we offer a market-leading simple 12-year warranty, as standard.
We focus on our customers not our competition. We manufacture our products in the UK: with the exception of our solar products, our supply chain is within a 60-mile radius of our factory in Basingstoke: to maintain greater control over quality. We al
Speed of response is crucial when it comes to resolving warranty issues. If we’ve made a mistake, we own it, get to the root cause, and fix it as quickly as possible. We believe in timely communication with our customers and making the resolution pro
Test and Test Again
We believe in independent testing and certification. Our new product development is in line with ISO 9001. Many of our products hold ENEC Certification. To meet the requirements of ENEC we also send random product samples for third party safety testi
Our product design is another key factor in our ability to offer a 12-year warranty. We value engineer rather than cost cut, never compromising on quality. We stick to our processes and engage with our supply chain to ensure that every product meets