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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 CO 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 isnt 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

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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, thats it:
Set Pole
Mount Solar and Battery
Mount Fixture and Bracket


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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 WaitTheres 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
CO 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
Check Out
An Amazing
Case Study

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