China has always been at the forefront of large-scale LED lighting installations, and its recent installation of more than one million Cree LEDs along 75 miles of highway throughout the country does not disappoint. The old high-pressure sodium fixtures had an orange glow, and the new LEDs shine a bright white and only consume 270 to 300 watts. The new lighting consumes 60% less energy, and the savings will pay for the project in four years. LEDs need little to no maintenance, which is one of the main advantages, according to a press release by Cree. Maintenance is costly, hazardous for workers, and inconveniences drivers. Everybody wins!
From our research, the biggest LED street lighting installation in the United States was in Los Angeles in 2009. Los Angeles plans to replace 140,000 street lights in the city over the next five years, with an estimated project completion in 2014. LEDs, which are more durable than most outdoor lighting, will save the city at least 40% on electricity, $48 million in the next seven years, and reduce carbon emissions by 40,500 tons each year, equivalent to taking 6,700 cars off the road!
