In these difficult economic times, when cities and states are slashing budgets, firing employees, and taking furlough days, the high cost of public outdoor lighting has come under renewed scrutiny. In the United States, approximately 13 million streetlights consume 2 billion kWh of electricity each year. Outdoor lighting typically accounts for 40% of a city’s energy bills. Reducing these costs is not only fiscally responsible, but it also aligns with state and federal plans to promote the use of renewable energy sources. Municipal Solar Lights as a viable public illumination alternative has the potential to save money while also being more convenient for remote constructions and work crews that currently rely on diesel-powered generators.

Any outdoor light, from a porch lamp to a billboard spotlight, could potentially be replaced with a solar unit. Solar panels on top of parking lot shelters at major institutions such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the University of California collect power during the day and are used to illuminate the areas at night. In their public parking lots and bus shelters, both the state of Florida and the city of San Diego use similar systems. Small black boxes atop road signs have become a common sight on American highways. The boxes contain solar panels that charge during the day and power the signs at night, eliminating the need for more expensive energy solutions such as long-distance power lines or fuel-hungry generators in sparsely populated rural areas.

Portable solar panel generators, such as those manufactured by GreenTow, are used by emergency response teams and construction crews working on remote construction sites. To ensure consistent power in critical use situations, these systems are typically backed up by a diesel engine. Some cities, such as Adelaide, Australia, have discovered ways to incorporate solar energy into public art. Solar Mallee Trees, an arching, sculpture-like installation, have been in operation in the city since 2005. The trees produce 864 kWh of energy but require only 125 kWh to light their surroundings. The remainder of the electricity is fed back into the grid.