How can solar lighting save you money
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Transcript of How can solar lighting save you money
How Can Solar Lighting Save You Money?
Table of Contents
Introduction 3
Electrical Components 4
Solar Components 5
Electrical Installation 6
Solar Installation 7
Electrical Costs to Operate 8
Solar Costs to Operate 9
Electrical Maintenance 10
Solar Maintenance 11
Overall Savings 12
Surprise 13
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Guide to Sign Lighting www.sepco-solarlighting.com
Introduction
So you have a new lighting project and are thinking of looking at solar lights as a green alternative. As we all know, solar is becoming the go to option for all types of applications.
This is an overview of how installing solar instead of a typical 250 Watt HPS street light can save you lot of money as well as reduce your CO₂ impact on the earth.
By the end of this you will have a better knowledge of the costs associated with solar and how solar is a better option for both your wallet and the environment.
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Electrical Components
250 Watt HPS Cobrahead Street Light
Light Fixture
Fixture Mounting Bracket
Light Pole
Total Cost: $1,350.00
As you can see, there isn’t much to purchasing a standard electrical street light, but there are hidden costs to consider, we will cover that further on.
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Solar Components
40 Watt LED Cobrahead Street Light
Solar Panel Assembly
Battery Assembly
Solar Mounting Bracket
Light Fixture
Fixture Mounting Bracket
Light Pole
Total Cost: $4,700.00
Solar lights have a higher upfront cost...but there are other things to consider.
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Electrical Installation
The first step is to extend the electric grid to the lights. This includes:
Step down transformers
Trenching and boring
Underground wire
Estimated Total Cost: $3200.00
The next step is to set the pole and mount the fixtures:
Set Pole
Mount Fixture and Bracket
Estimated Total Cost: $750.00
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Solar Installation
With solar all you need to do is set the pole, mount the solar and battery assembly, and mount the fixture and bracket, that’s it:
Set Pole
Mount Solar and Battery
Mount Fixture and Bracket
Estimated Total Cost: $750.00
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Electrical Costs to Operate
The national average electrical costs is .18/kWh
The average night is 12 hours and uses 3.6 kWh
250 Watt HPS light consumes 3.6 kWh per night
One light costs $19.71 to operate per month
One light costs $236.52 to operate per year
One light costs $5,913 to operate over 25 years
Cost to operate AC powered lights adds up fast! Over 25 years, a mere 10 lights will cost over $59,000 in electrical costs alone! And that is assuming that the cost of electricity does not go up in the next 25 years.
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Solar Costs to Operate
$0.00 Solar produces electricity from the sun making the cost nothing:
No matter how many lights
No matter how long they run
No matter how many years
No matter what!
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Electrical Maintenance
Maintenance of the lamp and photocell
Lamp Replacement (5 years) $200
Photocell Replacement at (5 years) $85
Labor for Replacements $750
Estimated Total Cost: $1035
This estimation is for 25 years of operation
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Solar Maintenance
The only routine maintenance required on a SEPCO solar lighting system is:
Battery Replacement (6 years): $1050
LED Lamp Replacement: (12 years): $850
Labor for Replacements: $1100
Estimated Total Cost: $3,000
This estimation is for 25 years of operation
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Overall Savings
AC Power Light
Parts: $1,350
Installation: $3,950
Electricity: $5,913
Maintenance: $1,035
Total: $12,248
Solar Power Light
Parts: $4,700
Installation: $750
Electricity: $0
Maintenance: $3,000
Total: $8,450
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But Wait…There’s More
By installing solar you will receive a 30% Federal Tax Credit of the purchase price and installation of the solar light.
$5,450 – 30% = $3,815
That brings the final cost of the solar light down to
$6,815 after 25 years
Note: Additional State, Local, and Utility Credits are available that can lower the cost more. Visit www.dsireusa.org for more info.
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Conclusion
While the high upfront cost of solar lighting can be daunting at first glance, the reality is that in the long run, solar lighting is far more economical than standard AC power lighting when all things are taken into consideration (i.e. parts, installation, electricity and maintenance). Better yet, solar lighting is good for the environment and will eliminate thousands of pounds of CO₂ over their lifetime.
*This comparison is for a standard 250 Watt HPS fixture vs a 40 Watt LED fixture as the LED can meet minimum lighting requirements standardly used for roadway applications.
Benefits of Solar Lighting
Solar lighting also has many excellent qualities. It is a green alternative to traditional lighting, it is low cost and practically maintenance free, and there is no power bill associated with utilizing solar since the power is not coming from the grid. Solar is also low voltage which makes it much safer to install and operate. Finally, solar lighting is renewable and promotes sustainability; its only requirement is the sun for operation.
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One of our solar specialists would be happy to help you choose the best option for
your lighting needs and provide clean,
renewable solar energy!
OR See our Guide to:
Solar Lighting
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