LED Gets the Green Light

Story by Matt Young | August 27, 2010 | Tags: Community, Environment, progress energy, street lights, TOC

CARY, N.C. – The Town of Cary is partnering with Progress Energy Carolinas in the community’s first Light Emitting Diode (LED) Street Light Project.

Funded entirely by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, 34 LED fixtures will either replace less-efficient fixtures or increase visibility in areas throughout Cary.

Cary is the first municipality to work with Progress Energy under its customer-owned option where the Town purchases two types of LED lights and Progress Energy installs the approved fixtures on utility-owned poles.

Out With the Old, in with the Green

With this project, LED lights will replace High Pressure Sodium (HID) lights, and the Town anticipates saving 40-60 percent more energy and over $5,000 per year in energy costs. LED street lights also eliminate the use of hazardous materials, improve night visibility by providing a uniform color rendition, and boast a significantly longer lifespan than traditional HID lights, resulting in reduced maintenance costs and waste in landfills.

“In Cary, we pride ourselves on leading the state in preserving and protecting the environment, and we’re very excited to work with Progress Energy in this pilot project,” said Kyle Hubert, Town of Cary Engineer. “Preliminary estimates show these lights will pay for themselves within five years as compared to leasing standard street lights.”

The LED street lights will be installed at the following locations over the next several months:

• Town of Cary Public Works & Utilities Operations Center, 400 James Jackson Avenue
• Cary Town Hall, N. Academy Street at Ambassador Loop
• Herb Young Community Center, N. Academy Street at Wilkinson Avenue
• Train Depot, 211 N. Academy Street
• NW Cary Parkway at Norwell Boulevard
• Koka Booth Amphitheatre VIP parking lot, 8001 Regency Parkway

Work Plan

The Town informed us that minor traffic delays are anticipated during installation, which is expected to occur from now until November 2010. Drivers are encouraged to visit TownOfCary.org and follow the Town on Twitter @TOC_Traffic for real-time traffic delays.