As businesses and municipalities strive to create efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable parking lot lighting solutions, the decision between grid-powered and solar-powered systems becomes crucial. However, the choice of lighting fixtures alone isn’t enough; photometric studies play an essential role in ensuring the system will meet safety, regulatory, and performance standards. This case study explores the cost, performance, and importance of photometric studies when comparing the CARA 199W grid-powered LED fixture and the SUNA 200W solar LED parking lot lights. We analyze the total cost of ownership (TCO) over 10 years, energy costs, installation expenses, and the importance of optimized lighting design for parking lots using 30 fixtures of each type.
Key Takeaways
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- Cost Savings: The SUNA solar lighting fixture offers substantial savings in installation costs and energy expenses over 10 years. Even when factoring in battery replacement, the TCO for the SUNA system is 50% lower than the CARA grid-powered fixture.
- Environmental Benefits: The SUNA 200W solar-powered fixtures are dark-sky compliant, reducing light pollution and aligning with sustainability goals. Solar energy also eliminates carbon emissions associated with grid power consumption.
- Long-Term Efficiency: The SUNA fixtures provide higher lumens per watt (195 lm/W) compared to the CARA fixtures (113 lm/W), making them a more energy-efficient choice for large parking lot projects.
Fixture Overview
Before diving into the cost analysis, it’s essential to understand the key features of each system. The table below compares the CARA 199W grid-powered fixture and the SUNA 200W solar powered LED lighting fixture in terms of their power source, lumens, efficiency, and dark-sky compliance. These factors influence the overall performance and compliance of the lighting systems.
| Feature | CARA 199W (Grid-Powered) | SUNA 200W (Solar-Powered) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Fixtures | 30 | 30 |
| Power Source | Grid-Powered | Solar-Powered |
| System Watts (Per Fixture) | 199W | 200W |
| Total Lumens (Per Fixture) | 22,487 lm | 39,000 lm |
| Lumens per Watt | 113 lm/W | 195 lm/W |
| Dark-Sky Compliant | No | Yes |
| L70 Life (Per Fixture) | 320,000 hours | 270,000 hours |
Energy and Maintenance Costs
The operational costs associated with grid-powered vs. solar-powered systems have a significant impact on the total cost of ownership (TCO). The table below compares the annual energy use, maintenance costs, and battery replacement needs for each system, providing a clearer picture of the long-term financial commitment required.
| Feature | CARA 199W (Grid-Powered) | SUNA 200W (Solar-Powered) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Energy Use (Per Fixture) | 871.62 kWh | None |
| Annual Energy Cost (Per kWh) | $0.41 | $0 |
| Total Annual Energy Cost (30 fixtures) | $10,720.80 | $0 |
| Energy Cost Over 10 Years | $107,208 | $0 |
| Battery Replacement (Per Fixture) | N/A | $600 (every 5-10 years) |
| Total Battery Replacement Cost (30 fixtures) | N/A | $18,000 (in 5-10 years) |
Cost Breakdown: Initial and Estimated Installation Costs
While upfront fixture costs are important, the installation costs for grid-powered systems, such as trenching and wiring, add significantly to the overall project budget. The table below shows the fixture price, installation cost, and the total lighting pole cost for each system. These numbers are crucial for understanding the immediate capital required for each option.
| Cost Category | CARA 199W (Grid-Powered) | SUNA 200W (Solar-Powered) |
|---|---|---|
| Fixture Price (Per Fixture) | $859.87 | $1,099.87 |
| Total Fixture Cost (30 fixtures) | $25,796.10 | $32,996.10 |
| Estimated Installation Cost (30 fixtures) | $120,000 | $9,375 |
| Lighting Pole Cost (Per Pole) | $2,110.22 | $2,110.22 |
| Total Lighting Pole Cost (30 poles) | $63,306.60 | $63,306.60 |
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Over 10 Years
The total cost of ownership (TCO) is the ultimate metric when evaluating long-term investments. The table below compares the 10-year TCO for both the CARA grid-powered system and the SUNA solar-powered system with and without battery replacements. This comparison is vital for understanding which system offers the best financial advantage over time.
TCO Without Battery Replacement
| Expense Category | CARA 199W (Grid-Powered) | SUNA 200W (Solar-Powered) |
|---|---|---|
| TCO Over 10 Years (Per Fixture) | $3,573.64 | $1,200 |
| Total TCO Over 10 Years (30 fixtures) | $107,209.20 | $36,000 |
TCO With Battery Replacement
| Expense Category | CARA 199W (Grid-Powered) | SUNA 200W (Solar-Powered) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Energy Cost Over 10 Years | $107,208 | $0 |
| Battery Replacement Cost (30 fixtures) | N/A | $18,000 |
| Total TCO Over 10 Years (30 fixtures, with battery replacement) | $107,209.20 | $54,000 |
Strategic Comparison of CARA and SUNA Parking Lot Lighting Systems
This section provides a detailed strategic comparison of the CARA grid-powered fixture and the SUNA solar-powered fixture for parking lot lighting, tailored to the needs of our customers. At Access Fixtures, we design and manufacture lighting fixtures to ensure they are the best fit for your unique lighting solution. Whether your focus is on reducing upfront costs, minimizing long-term energy expenses, or adhering to strict environmental regulations, we provide options that align with your specific requirements.
By analyzing installation costs, energy consumption, maintenance, and long-term total cost of ownership (TCO), we help you make an informed decision that meets your goals. Whether you prioritize cost savings, operational reliability, or sustainability, Access Fixtures is here to guide you toward the optimal lighting system. This comparison offers insights into how CARA and SUNA lights can deliver the best results, combining performance, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness for your parking lot lighting project.
Initial Investment: Short-Term Financial Implications
At first glance, the CARA 199W appears more affordable with a fixture cost of $859.87 per unit, compared to the SUNA 200W at $1,099.87 per unit. However, the initial installation costs tell a different story. Installing 30 CARA grid-powered fixtures will cost approximately $120,000 due to trenching and wiring expenses, while the SUNA solar lights have an installation cost of just $9,375, thanks to their off-grid and wireless nature. This leads to a $110,625 savings on installation alone.
For businesses or municipalities working with tight budgets or aiming for rapid deployment, the SUNAs lower installation cost makes it a more accessible option from the outset. The difference in installation costs can immediately free up capital for other important infrastructure projects or initiatives, giving SUNA a strategic advantage in the short term. Additionally, commercial solar lighting is an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution that uses solar panels to power illumination in various commercial settings, further enhancing the appeal of SUNA solar lights.
Energy Costs: The Strategic Long-Term Savings
While grid-powered systems like the CARA 199W offer stable, reliable power, their operational costs accumulate rapidly. With an annual energy consumption of 871.62 kWh per fixture, the total annual energy cost for 30 fixtures is $10,720.80, or $107,208 over 10 years. In contrast, the SUNA solar light uses solar energy and incurs zero energy costs, completely eliminating the operational expenses tied to electricity use.
The SUNA’s reliance on renewable energy creates a long-term financial advantage. For businesses focused on cost-cutting and sustainability, this offers a clear path to saving over $100,000 on energy costs alone over 10 years. This also insulates the business from future rises in electricity prices, ensuring predictable operating costs. In sectors where budget forecasting and cost control are key, the SUNA zero operational cost gives it a significant strategic edge.
Maintenance and Long-Term Reliability
While the CARA incurs regular energy costs, its low-maintenance requirements are often seen as an advantage. However, the SUNA solar parking lot light also benefits from low maintenance, with only battery replacements required every 5-10 years at a cost of $600 per fixture. Even with a total battery replacement cost of $18,000 over 10 years for 30 fixtures, the SUNAs total cost of ownership (TCO) remains significantly lower than CARA’s.
Solar LED lights, like the SUNA solar parking lot light, offer low maintenance and high reliability, with only battery replacements needed every 5-10 years. Grid-powered systems like CARA come with the additional risk of energy price volatility and power outages, which could lead to unexpected costs or disruptions in service. In contrast, the SUNA solar powered off-grid operation offers greater reliability and protection from outages, making it a strategically better option for organizations where service continuity is crucial—such as hospitals, transportation hubs, or large commercial complexes.
Regulatory Compliance and Environmental Impact
The SUNA solar powered light fixture is dark-sky compliant, which not only reduces light pollution but also helps businesses comply with local environmental regulations. Many regions have strict ordinances aimed at reducing light pollution and carbon emissions. The SUNA’s compliance with these regulations minimizes the risk of fines or costly retrofits after installation.
By choosing SUNA solar lighting, businesses can also strengthen their corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. Solar power usage aligns with global sustainability goals, reducing a company’s carbon footprint and potentially qualifying for green certifications or government incentives. For businesses that prioritize environmental stewardship, the SUNA is a clear strategic win, helping them meet their sustainability targets while also reaping financial rewards.
Risk Management and Energy Independence
One key factor that often goes overlooked is the risk of grid dependency. The CARA, being grid-powered, is susceptible to rising electricity costs and potential outages, which can disrupt operations or lead to higher-than-expected costs. In contrast, the SUNA, being independent of the electrical grid, offers energy independence, ensuring consistent and uninterrupted lighting without external dependencies.
This is particularly valuable for businesses in remote areas or locations prone to grid instability. By choosing solar power, companies can safeguard themselves against future energy crises, reduce their exposure to rising utility costs, and ensure they can maintain continuous operations under a range of circumstances. For industries where reliability is critical, such as logistics or healthcare, this offers a significant strategic advantage.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Comparison
The total cost of ownership (TCO) over 10 years for the CARA 199W is $107,209.20, factoring in energy costs and installation. Even with the added battery replacement costs of $18,000 over 10 years, the SUNA 200W TCO is only $54,000. That’s nearly 50% lower than the grid-powered alternative.
This vast difference in TCO means that the SUNA system will not only pay for itself over time but also generate massive savings that can be reinvested elsewhere in the organization. For businesses looking to make strategic, long-term investments, this makes the SUNA the far more attractive choice.
Photometric Studies: A Key Step for Optimal Parking Lot Lighting
While cost, energy savings, and maintenance are critical factors, a well-designed lighting system must also illuminate large spaces effectively and uniformly. This is where photometric studies come into play. Before finalizing your decision between solar-powered or grid-powered fixtures, conducting a photometric study ensures that the lighting layout will meet the safety, efficiency, and regulatory standards required for parking lots.
Importance of Photometric Studies
- Ensuring Uniform Light Distribution:
Photometric studies allow you to strategically place fixtures to ensure even lighting across the parking lot, preventing issues like hot spots (overly bright areas) and dark spots (areas with insufficient lighting). Whether you’re using solar or grid-powered fixtures, ensuring uniform light distribution is essential for safety and performance. - Meeting Required Footcandle Levels:
Parking lots require different lighting intensities in various zones, such as entrances, exits, and remote areas. Photometric studies calculate the necessary footcandle levels for each area, ensuring that both solar and grid-powered lighting systems provide the right amount of illumination without wasting energy. - Compliance with Local Regulations:
Many local jurisdictions enforce strict lighting codes, including dark-sky compliance and specific footcandle requirements. Photometric studies help verify that your chosen system, whether solar or grid-powered, complies with these regulations and avoids costly modifications after installation. - Maximizing Energy Efficiency:
For solar-powered systems, photometric studies can help optimize battery usage and placement, ensuring maximum performance. For grid-powered systems, these studies ensure that fixtures are placed to provide effective lighting without unnecessary energy consumption. - Determining Pole Heights and Fixture Placement:
The study will analyze the impact of different pole heights and fixture placements on light distribution. For example, taller poles may cover larger areas but may also result in reduced light intensity in key zones. A photometric study ensures that your lighting system is optimized for your specific parking lot layout.
A Photometric Study Used To Create A Parking Lot Lighting Plan
Why Photometric Studies Matter for Solar and Grid-Powered Fixtures
Whether you choose solar or grid-powered lighting, conducting a photometric study is essential for ensuring the system’s effectiveness. It helps prevent costly errors, ensures regulatory compliance, and optimizes both energy use and light coverage. By tailoring your lighting design to the unique needs of your parking lot, a photometric study guarantees that your system, regardless of power source, will meet both functional and regulatory requirements.
Solar Parking Lot Lighting Technology
Solar parking lot lighting technology has advanced significantly in recent years, offering a reliable and cost-effective solution for illuminating parking lots. Here are some key features of solar parking lot lighting technology:
- High-Efficiency Solar Panels: Modern solar parking lot lights are equipped with high-efficiency solar panels that maximize energy production, even in low-light conditions. These panels are designed to capture and convert sunlight into electrical energy with remarkable efficiency, ensuring consistent performance throughout the year.
- Advanced Battery Management: Solar parking lot lights feature advanced battery management systems that regulate the charging and discharging processes. These systems help extend the battery life and ensure optimal performance, even during periods of low sunlight. By maintaining the health of the battery, these systems reduce the need for frequent replacements and minimize maintenance costs.
- LED Lighting: The use of high-quality LED lighting is a hallmark of solar parking lot lights. LEDs provide superior light output and energy efficiency, making them ideal for illuminating large spaces like parking lots. With minimal maintenance requirements and a long lifespan, LED lights contribute to the overall cost-effectiveness of solar parking lot lighting systems.
- Durable Construction: Solar parking lot lights are designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions. They are constructed with durable materials, such as hot-dipped, powder-coated, galvanized steel poles, and Cree LEDs. This robust construction ensures that the lights can endure extreme weather conditions, including rain, snow, and high winds, providing reliable illumination year-round.
By leveraging these technological advancements, solar parking lot lighting systems offer a sustainable and efficient solution for businesses and municipalities looking to reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs while ensuring optimal lighting performance.
Conclusion
This case study highlights the clear financial, operational, and performance benefits of solar LED parking lot lights like the SUNA 200W system compared to grid-powered alternatives such as the CARA 199W parking lot light. With lower installation costs, zero energy expenses, and a 50% lower total cost of ownership (TCO) over 10 years, the SUNA offers significant long-term savings while supporting sustainability goals.
In terms of illuminance levels, the SUNA 200W parking lot light delivers 39,000 lumens per fixture with an impressive efficacy of 195 lumens per watt, ensuring optimal lighting performance even in larger parking lots. This high-efficiency output not only meets required footcandle levels for safety and visibility but also reduces energy consumption compared to grid-powered alternatives like the CARA, which delivers 22,487 lumens per fixture at a lower efficiency.
At Access Fixtures, we design and manufacture lighting solutions tailored to your needs. Our photometric studies ensure that systems like the SUNA 200W maintain uniform light distribution and the required illuminance for safe and secure environments. With expert guidance, we help you achieve cost-effective, eco-friendly, and high-performance parking lot lighting solutions.
Solar LED Parking Lot Lights Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You have Solar Parking Lot Lights questions. We have answers. If you have a question that isn’t answered below, contact an Access Fixtures lighting specialist at (800) 468-9925 or click here to visit our customer service page.
What are the advantages of using solar LED parking lot lights over grid-powered lights?
Solar parking lot lights eliminate electricity costs, reduce installation expenses by avoiding trenching, and provide an eco-friendly lighting solution that aligns with sustainability goals.
How much can I save by using solar LED parking lot lights compared to traditional grid-powered systems?
Solar parking lot lights can save businesses up to 50% in total cost of ownership (TCO) over 10 years, as they have no energy costs and lower installation expenses.
Do solar LED parking lot lights work during cloudy days or at night?
Yes, solar parking lot lights are designed with efficient batteries that store energy during the day, providing reliable illumination even during cloudy conditions or at night.
What is the lifespan of solar LED parking lot lights?
Solar parking lot lights typically have a lifespan of 50,000 to 100,000 hours, depending on the model. Battery replacements may be required every 5-10 years to maintain optimal performance.
How do solar LED parking lot lights perform in different weather conditions?
Parking lot LED lights solar are built to withstand harsh weather conditions, including rain, snow, and extreme temperatures. Many models are IP66-rated for weatherproofing and durability.
Are solar LED parking lot lights compliant with local regulations?
Yes, many solar LED parking lot lights, such as the SUNA all-in-one smart solar lighting fixture, are designed to be dark-sky compliant, reducing light pollution and ensuring compliance with environmental and local lighting regulations.
What are the installation costs for solar LED parking lot lights compared to grid-powered systems?
Solar LED parking lot lights typically have lower installation costs since they do not require trenching or extensive wiring. This can save thousands of dollars in labor and materials.
How much maintenance do solar LED parking lot lights require?
Solar LED parking lot lights require minimal maintenance. The only significant upkeep involves replacing the batteries every 5-10 years, depending on the system’s design and usage.
Can solar LED parking lot lights be integrated into existing lighting systems?
Yes, solar LED parking lot lights can be integrated into hybrid systems, combining solar and grid-powered lights to ensure optimal coverage and reliability in high-traffic areas.
Are solar LED parking lot lights effective for large parking lots?
Solar LED parking lot lights are highly effective for both small and large parking lots. Their scalability makes them suitable for expansive areas, providing even illumination and significant cost savings.
How long does it take to install solar LED parking lot lights?
Installation of solar LED parking lot lights is generally quicker and easier than grid-powered systems, as they do not require trenching for electrical wiring. This leads to faster project completion and lower labor costs.
What are the environmental benefits of using solar LED parking lot lights?
Solar LED parking lot lights reduce carbon emissions by utilizing renewable solar energy, contributing to sustainability goals and helping businesses reduce their environmental footprint.
Are solar LED parking lot lights reliable in remote locations?
Yes, solar LED parking lot lights are ideal for remote or off-grid locations, as they do not rely on external power sources. This makes them a dependable option for areas where extending electrical wiring is impractical or costly.
How do I choose the right solar LED parking lot lights for my project?
When selecting LED solar lighting fixtures, consider factors like illumination requirements, environmental conditions, battery capacity, and compliance with local regulations. At Access Fixtures, we design and manufacture custom lighting solutions to ensure your needs are met.
Can solar LED parking lot lights reduce light pollution?
Yes, many solar lighting fixtures, such as dark-sky compliant models, are designed to direct light downward, reducing glare and minimizing light pollution in sensitive areas like residential neighborhoods or wildlife zones.
Can solar street lights be used for home parking lots?
Yes, solar street lights can be an excellent option for home parking lots, providing off-grid, energy-efficient illumination without the need for trenching or wiring.
Are there adjustable solar LED parking lot lights?
Yes, many solar LED parking lot lights come with adjustable heads or mounts, allowing for flexible light direction to suit various parking lot layouts for both home and commercial use.
Are there solar street lights for commercial parking lots available on sale?
Yes, solar street lights designed for commercial parking lots are often available at discounted sale prices, making it more affordable to switch to solar-powered lighting.
Can I find solar LED parking lot lights on sale for my home?
Yes, many solar LED parking lot lights suitable for home use go on sale, providing an eco-friendly and cost-effective way to illuminate residential parking areas.
What are the advantages of adjustable solar street lights for commercial use?
Adjustable solar street lights are ideal for commercial parking lots, as they allow for precise lighting coverage, ensuring optimal illumination while reducing energy costs.