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LED Street Lights – Pilot Project

Beginning March 2013, PWC will begin installating LED (Light Emitting Diode) street lights in nine neighborhoods across Fayetteville as part of a pilot project. The purpose of the project is to test the performance and reliability of LEDs in our area, and to solicit community feedback. Over the course of three months, traditional lighting sources in these nine areas, such as high pressure sodium, will be converted to LEDs.

Studies show that LED technology offers greater levels of “color rendering” than the older technology. This allows motorists to identify pedestrians and other objects more clearly. Another benefit of LEDs is that they can more effectively be “aimed” to light the roadway, and provide a more consistent light pattern with fewer dark spaces between lights.

LED street lights will also enable PWC to achieve greater energy efficiency, and as a result, reduce costs. In addition to the long-term energy saving, LEDs last significantly longer (100,000 hours) than the older technology (20,000 hours). This also lowers costs, by reducing the need for ongoing maintenance over the life of the street light.

Tell us what you think of the new LED street lights! Send us an email, or call our hotline at 910-223-4011. Be sure to indicate the neighborhood or street you are commenting on.

 

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Pilot Project Installation Areas

Bone Creek Hillendale Mintz Pond
Massey Hill Quail Ridge Glen Reilly
Vanstory College Lakes Waters Edge

Click here to see a map of the LED street light installation areas


 

What are LED lights?

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. Traditional lighting sources produce light through a filament that eventually burns out. LEDs produce light when electrons move through a semi-conductor.

How is LED lighting different from the lighting we have now?

LED street lights are different from the current street lights in a number of ways:

  • Lower energy consumption
  • Lower environmental footprint
  • Significantly longer lifespan. On average, LEDs last three times as long as the current lights
  • LEDs come in a variety of colors (brights white to yellow orange)
  • No mercury, lead or other known disposable hazards
  • Night visibility will be improved due to higher color rendering, higher color temperature, and increased luminance uniformity

Why are the current lights being changed?

PWC has an overall plan to reduce energy usage and improve the overall quality of lighting within the City. LED street lights will enable us to provide the same level of lighting or better. While at the same time purchasing less power from our power supplier. This means that future rate increases will be smaller or may not be required as quickly.

How is PWC paying for the project?

The state of North Carolina has placed renewable energy mandates on all electric utilities and PWC collects a monthly Renewable Energy Rider (REP) charge from customers. LED street lighting will help PWC meet these mandates and the REP charge will help fund the project.

How will I know when the lights are being installed?

Customers who live in the designated pilot project areas will receive a postcard from PWC prior to the scheduled installation date. Residents may also notice street light improvement signs placed around their neighborhood.

When will the new lights be installed?

The new LED street lights will be installed in the subdivisions listed above beginning in late March 2013 through late June 2013.

Who is installing the lights?

The lights will be installed by PWC linemen and PWC contractors.

How long will it take PWC to install the new lights around Fayetteville?

Installation during the pilot project will take approximately 3 months. City-wide installation will take approximately 5-7 years.

Will the poles be replaced too?

Yes, in some cases where existing poles aren’t adequate.

Will my street be dark at night during the installation?

No, PWC will leave the existing lights in place until the LED lights are installed and ready to be turned on. In some cases, a combination of the new LED street lights and the current street lights may be in place overnight until installation is complete.

Will the bright lights keep me awake at night?

Not likely. PWC will be able to “aim” the new LED fixtures towards the public streets, which will minimize light on homes and businesses.

Are the lights dimmable?

Not during the pilot project. PWC will evaluate customer feedback and determine if we will provide a dimmable feature in the future.

What is the difference between an area light and a street light?

Area lighting is used to light private areas such as backyards, playgrounds, storage yards and general customer areas. These lights are installed as requested by a customer for a monthly fee. Street lighting is used primarily to illuminate the city’s public thoroughfares and residential streets. However, street lighting is also available on private streets at an additional monthly cost to residents.

How can I give feedback?

Tell us what you think of the new LED street lights by sending us an email. You can also call our hotline at 910-223-4011.


LEDs will provide better, clearer, and more consistent light quality that will likely play a role in making Fayetteville’s streets safer through:

  • Fewer streetlight outages as LEDs have a life expectancy of 15 years, compared to 5-6 years of mercury vapor streetlights.
  • A truer white light quality, which leads to better color rending, allowing colors to seem more natural.
  • More consistent distribution of light resulting in fewer dark spots.