City of Guelph testing LED streetlights
On Jan. 18, 2016, a City of Guelph press release announced that the City, along with Guelph Hydro, are testing LED streetlight options in certain residential streets. The City of Guelph hopes to introduce energy efficient, low maintenance lights in order to cut power costs.
“The City is in a position to save about 50 per cent of its 13,000 street lights’ energy use—about $750,000 in annual cost saving, by switching out Guelph’s HPS streetlights with LEDs,” said Alex Chapman, the City of Guelph’s program manager of corporate energy. “LED lights last longer, use much less electricity, require less maintenance, and provide better illumination than the HPS lights we’re currently using.”
Other Canadian cities—like Calgary, Mississauga, London, and Barrie—are also currently in the process of switching to LED street lights.
The testing period will run until March. The City will consider cost, energy efficiency, maintenance requirements, long-term technology compatibility, and the community’s preferences.
—Compiled by Sameer Chhabra