26th January 2012
As well as installing them in homes and commercial buildings, energy saving LED bulbs can be used to illuminate streets, as has just been done in a Northumberland town.
Regents Street in Blyth was given an energy saving makeover by having its normal lighting exchanged for solar-powered LED street lamps, LED Magazine reported.
Designed by market leader Philips Lighting, the Solar Gen2 is said by the company to be the world's most efficient and cost-effective solar powered LED street lighting unit per kilometre of road.
In using LED energy saving bulbs in their street lights, councils could cut their energy bills and lower their carbon emissions, as well as reduce the amount of time and resources spent maintaining the lamps.
The Financial reported that the key to the Solar Gen2 breakthrough came in the form of new high brightness LEDs and unique optics used to crease an efficient and robust street lighting system. NXP Semiconductors also developed an intelligent charge controller, which is placed inside the light and transfers power from the solar panels to the batteries.
Marc de Jong, chief executive of Professional Lighting Solutions, commented: "The Solar Gen2 breakthrough underlines Philips' commitment to provide innovative, meaningful solutions that help increase people's sense of wellbeing, comfort and safety around the world, while saving energy costs and avoiding CO2 emissions.
"By combining the latest LED lighting with solar and battery developments, Solar Gen2 offers a best in class, reliable and cost-effective off-grid lighting solution that can help cities meet their growing energy demand and significantly improve the lives of people who currently live without electricity," he added.
While the energy saving lights have been designed with towns and cities located near the equator in mind, solar-powered LED lamps could be placed anywhere in the world where there is natural light.
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