1. High upfront cost
The major drawback of LED street lighting is its high upfront cost. LED lights are more expensive compared to traditional lighting solutions such as fluorescent lights or high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps. Although the cost of LED lights has reduced significantly over the last decade, upfront cost is still higher than traditional lighting solutions, which makes it difficult for municipalities and governments to invest in LED street lighting projects.
2. Accessibility to street lights
The installation of LED streetlights is more challenging, especially in cities that have a dense population and narrow streets. In cities where the streets are lined with high-rise buildings, the installation of LED lights requires the availability of cranes or elevated platforms, which also increases the installation cost.
3. Glare and light pollution
One of the major complaints from residents about LED street lighting is the glare and light pollution as LED lights are known to produce bright and harsh light. Due to the direct distribution of light, it has been a challenge to avoid light spillage causing discomfort for drivers and pedestrian. Too much blue light produced by LEDs also disturbs wildlife. Thus it becomes increasingly important to choose the right type of LED lighting in order to minimize light pollution.
4. Need for proper illumination design
While LED offers benefits in terms of energy-saving, not all LED street lighting fixtures are created equal. A proper lighting design is required as this makes a great impact on energy usage, cost, and of course, the effectiveness of the lighting. The placement of LED lights, height, and direction need to be carefully examined to achieve the best results. LED street lighting requires an optimum illumination level to achieve good visibility for drivers and pedestrians which also reduce the risk of accidents. Getting the right illumination level requires an experienced lighting designer who can create effective lighting that is safe and comfortable.
5. Proper maintenance and replacement
LED street lights are known to have a longer lifespan over traditional lighting solutions. However, maintenance, and replacement still need to be carefully planned and executed as LED lighting can suddenly stop working without proper maintenance. With proper maintenance, architects and designers can optimize the lighting system, monitor failure patterns and downtime of individual fixtures, and adjust lighting levels to improve energy efficiency.
6. Compatibility with the existing infrastructure
LED street lighting installation needs to account for existing infrastructure like poles, brackets, and mounting hardware. The compatibility of existing infrastructure with LED fixtures upfront needs to be ensured for effective installation. Compatibility is significant as the same type of lighting fixtures may not fit all the poles. Choosing the best-suited configurations of infrastructure compatibility help to minimize installation cost and the hardware required.
1.Smart Lighting Controls
Smart lighting controls allow cities to adjust and control the brightness of LED street lighting, saving energy and reducing light pollution. Smart lighting systems can also provide real-time data to enable cities to optimize lighting systems and reduce maintenance costs.
2. Warm White and Amber LED Lights
Warm white and amber LED lights have a color temperature that is closer to natural light and is more comfortable for human eyes. Warm white and amber LED lights also have less impact on wildlife than blue light.
3. Proper Installation and Glare Reduction
Proper installation and glare reduction can prevent light pollution and minimize glare. Shields, brighter uniformity, dimmers, and dedicated circuits can reduce glare, allowing drivers to see more clearly and avoid accidents.
How to choose the correct street light? There are several suggestions:
1. Luminous efficacy
Luminous efficacy refers to the amount of light emitted per unit of energy consumed. It is measured in lumens per watt (lm/W). The higher the luminous efficacy, the more efficient the LED street light is. When choosing the LED street light, you should look for one that has a high level of luminous efficacy. A light that has a luminous efficacy of 130lm/W or more can significantly reduce energy consumption and electricity bills.
2. Color temperature
The color temperature of an LED street light refers to the warmth or coolness of the light. It is measured in degrees Kelvin (K). A lower color temperature indicates a warmer light whereas a higher color temperature is a cooler light. The choice of color temperature depends on the intended use of the light. For example, a warmer light (2300K to 3000K) is typically used for residential areas while a cooler light (4000K to 5000K) is suitable for commercial and industrial areas.
3. Color rendering index
The color rendering index (CRI) is a measure of the ability of a light source to reproduce the true colors of an object. It is measured on a scale of 0 to 100. A higher CRI indicates that the color of an object will be more accurately represented. When selecting an LED street light, you should look for a CRI of 70 or above.
4. Wattage
The wattage of an LED street light determines how much energy it consumes. It is essential to choose a light with the appropriate wattage for the intended use. If the wattage is too low, the light may not be bright enough to illuminate the intended area. If the wattage is too high, it may result in excessive energy consumption and higher electricity bills.
5. IP rating
The IP (Ingress Protection) rating of an LED street light determines its ability to withstand exposure to moisture and dust. The higher the IP rating, the more protection it offers. The IP rating consists of two numbers. The first number indicates the degree of protection against solid particles such as dust while the second number refers to its level of protection against moisture. A typical IP rating for an LED street light is IP65.
6. Lifespan
The lifespan of an LED street light is an essential factor to consider when choosing the right light. LED lights have a much longer lifespan than traditional lighting solutions. You should look for a light that has a lifespan of at least 50,000 hours. This ensures that the light will last for several years without requiring frequent replacements.
7. Retrofitting options
Retrofitting options are necessary when replacing conventional lighting solutions with LED street lights. The retrofitting options allow the LED street light to be easily installed without making significant changes to the existing infrastructure. When choosing an LED street light, you should consider the retrofitting options available to ensure that the light can be installed easily.