Streetsmart shines light on unlit bus shelters

Southampton City Council's shelter illumination problems were solved using solarcentury's Award winning streetsmart solar lighting system.

After waiting more than twelve months to get power to their bus shelters, Southampton City Council's shelter illumination problems were solved using solarcentury's Award winning streetsmart solar lighting system.

Southampton City Council and Eastleigh Borough Council commissioned solarcentury to retrofit their streetsmart system to a selection of unlit shelters.

In total, ten streetsmart solutions were installed, with an average installation time of just three hours.

Each system provides year round power to the shelters without the need to connect to the national grid.

Simon Gerrard, streetsmart sales manager, solarcentury said: "Southampton CC and Eastleigh BC are among the growing numbers of UK transport authorities who are questioning the need to connect their shelters to the grid at all".

"The streetsmart system removes the reliance on regional electricity companies, and takes away the day-to-day management of illuminating bus infrastructure".

"Solar power is a reliable and cost effective alternative to grid connection".

Poor shelter illumination has been identified as one of the main reasons for low bus patronage, with passengers feeling unsafe waiting for buses.

Transport Managers across the UK have tried to address the issue by making provision for shelter illumination, however with unpredictable connection costs (GBP 500 - GBP3000 depending on location) and long waiting times for connection (2 weeks - 12 weeks being promised, depending on supplier) many shelters remain unlit.

Pete Davies of Southampton City Council's Passenger Transport Team commented: " _ we have been waiting up to 12 months to connect some shelters".

"solarcentury's system provides instant illumination once installed and gives me control of my shelter illumination programme".

"We will be looking to expand this right across our network over the next year ".

The streetsmart's system consists of a solar panel, long life batteries, energy management system and LED lighting unit.

The LED's will provide 100,000 hours illumination of 50 lux across the entire footprint of the shelter providing a secure environment for passengers.

The solar panels are discreet in design and can be curved to fit the shape of the shelter.

They contain no glass, are vandal resistant and require no maintenance.

The batteries and Energy Management System have been integrated into almost all UK shelter designs.

Southampton and Eastleigh Councils will also benefit from zero electricity costs (currently approximately GBP 40 per shelter per year), for the life of the shelter.

Wholesale electricity prices have risen thirty per cent in the last 12 months.

The streetsmart system provides an inflation proof source of power, and with no connection to the grid, an annual electrical inspection is not required (estimated to cost GBP 50 per shelter per year).

In addition, each system offsets 50 kg of CO2 a year; and provides a visible commitment to the Government's Agenda 21.

Southampton City Councillor Jill Baston said: " _ it is important for us to come up with more sustainable energy sources in the city and solar power is an efficient and environmentally friendly substitute for mains electricity".

solarcentury has more solar shelter systems in the field than any other company with over 900 systems across the UK and Europe.

The streetsmart system can installed on most shelter designs and to date solarcentury have systems on the following shelters: * Queensbury: Arun shelters.

* Trueform: Metro, Elite, and Holborn.

* Signature shelters.

* Abacus shelters.

* MAN shelters;.

* JCDecaux shelters.

* Adshel Insignia shelters.

The system can be integrated into a shelter as built or retrofitted on site.

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