Solar Powered Lights for Public Lands

Solar lighting carries numerous advantages wherever it is installed. When it comes to public lands, those advantages make it the obvious solution for projects of local government agencies—such as parks and recreation, public works, bureaus of land management, and boards of education.

Great Cost Savings

Measured by the standard kilowatt-hour (kWh), the cost of solar energy has dropped by 73% in the last decade alone. Factor in additional cost savings from installation, repair, and maintenance, and you can achieve more than 50% return on investment per year.

Increased Safety and Security

Parks, parking lots, and even schools can become targets of crime and vandalism during hours of darkness. Nighttime solar lighting has been shown to act as a deterrent to would-be criminals in public areas like these.

Environmental Benefits

Besides their clear operational advantages, solar lighting solutions bring greatly enhanced environmental benefits. Eliminating the need for digging, trenching, and power transmission lines, unobtrusive public lighting poles are all that’s needed for solar lighting solutions.

Aesthetic Improvements

Walking trail lighting along open trails is only one location where an eye for the aesthetic makes solar attractive. Once considered unsightly, modern industrial design has transformed this technology into eye-catching offerings that blend well with the environment.

For example, our expert designers at Greenshine are proud to offer the Volta-wrapped solar lighting pole. Standing 20 feet, this outdoor trail lighting system wraps solar panels on all sides for a naturally integrated look. It produces pleasing, circular light thanks to its CREE XPG-3—the most advanced LED available.

Our Classica series will appeal to those who appreciate nostalgia with a modern touch. Its customizable height and dimming options also make it adaptable to any lighting situation—from parks to residential sidewalks.

‌

Practical Solar Powered Lighting for Public Lands

Considerations for Practical Solar Lighting Options

Not all lighting problems are created equal. Greenshine New Energy’s designers and engineers understand that each customer has their own requirements, budget, and constraints. That’s why we created a complete range of highly customizable systems and fixtures. 

Here are some practical considerations for your solar public lighting project.

Purpose and Location

The first questions you should consider are:

• Why do you need lighting?

• When would the lighting be installed and used?

• Where are you installing the lighting?

A small parking area requires a different solution from a 40-mile stretch of urban highway. Likewise, any location subject to harsh weather conditions needs a specifically engineered and weathered system.

Providing an illuminated walking path for extended hours of public access is not the same as providing round-the-clock security service. Finally, having an approximate installation timeline in mind will help in your planning.

Area Size

A critical consideration is always the size of the area to be lit. This helps determine the number of lights you will need and their technical specifications. While most of Greenshine’s systems can be configured or customized, they are all rated for brightness. You will need to take this into account.

Problems and Constraints

No lighting project is without constraints. With solar trail lighting, an example of a problem would be a thick forest canopy that might form a natural barrier to sunlight. In downtown and other urban areas, pole height might be restricted by existing infrastructure or by city ordinances.

Type, Configuration, and Profile

The operating profile is also important. Ask yourself:

• Can the lighting be dimmed during certain hours?

• Do you need constant, full brightness?

• Does the lighting need to be monitored?

• Should the lights function on-demand like in a motion-activated profile?

While many lighting applications prioritize basic utility, others emphasize design aesthetics and types of lighting. The latter includes color temperature, distribution, direction, and more—like open trail lighting that’s made from motion-activated solar-powered LEDs. Greenshine covers all options.

Budget and Financing

It is advisable to have at least a general budget range established before taking the next steps. Greenshine can also help spread the cost of your project through our financing partner Balboa Capital. Depending on where you are, you may even be eligible for government-funded financial incentives such as tax credits or rebates.

‌

Applications of Typical Solar Public Lighting

‌Greenshine New Energy offers industry-leading solutions like our Supera, Brighta, Lita, and Classica systems. Our products can be used in:

• ‌Boat ramps, lift areas, and docks: When it comes to recreation, people want nothing to get in their way. Our Lita and Lumina systems won’t. Instead, they’ll provide the brightest lights needed for these smaller areas.

• Downtown and urban areas: From streets to crosswalks to bus stops, these areas are made safer and more livable by Greenshine solutions. Streets are perfectly lit by our Supera, Brighta, and Lumina series. Our RRFB system for crosswalks combines Brighta pedestrian lighting and vehicle alert lighting on one pole. Meanwhile, our canopy lighting fixture offers the best in bus stop and shelter lighting.

• Kayaking: Put-in and take-out areas that are used seasonally are best served by a portable solution. That’s exactly what you’ll find in our Porta series. The only above-ground, portable solar light—this is a Greenshine first. This turnkey solution is designed to be moved by a forklift truck and requires no digging or pouring.

• Trails and paths: This is the ideal application of solar public lighting. We are a proud member of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy—a registered non-profit organization that promotes and advocates for public access to trails.

• Parks and playgrounds: Solar lighting is the perfect match for these areas. Our solutions for these spaces, including the Brighta system, complement and help preserve the natural surroundings.