Mondoluce News

Novato, California, tests BetaLED LED streetlights and US Lighting Tech induction streetlights in pilot that precedes $382,000 replacement project

By New Streetlights staff

The city of Novato, California recently launched a pilot program to test the quality and effectiveness of energy efficient streetlighting for the city’s arterial and collector roadways. The pilot installation includes four LED streetlight fixtures and four induction streetlight fixtures. Based on quality, performance and citizen input, public works officials will make a determination, followed by a recommendation to the city council, on which technology to select for a larger scale installation to begin later in the year. The full scale replacement, of about 650 existing streetlight fixtures, will be funded by a $382,000 award from the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program.

For the pilot installation, LED fixtures manufactured by BetaLED, a division of Ruud Lighting of Wisconsin, were chosen. The induction fixtures chosen for the pilot are manufactured by US Lighting Tech of Irvine, California. Four fixtures representing each technology were installed on two roadway blocks and are separated by a one block stretch of existing high pressure sodium (HPS) streetlights. The LED fixtures are installed at Rowland Blvd. and Adele Street and the induction fixtures are located on Arthur Street and Yukon Way. An online form for public feedback is available on the city of Novato website, www.ci.novato.ca.us.

“We anticipate issuing a request for proposals (RFP) in about one week for the proposed 650 streetlight installation. We are not yet sure if the RFP will only solicit bids for fixtures or both fixtures and installation,” said Jason Nutt, public works director for the city of Novato. The decision to purchase LED or induction fixtures will also be made in the first week of February, according to Nutt. The RFP will be posted on the city’s website and in the local newspaper