Largest Array of Solar-Powered Outdoor Streetlights in New England

Renewable energy lights up Massachusetts Maritime Academy this week

Buzzards Bay, MA - America's oldest continuously operating maritime institute, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, has just completed the largest installation of solar-powered outdoor lighting in New England.


SolarOne® Solutions of Framingham, MA with Hadco® Lighting of Littlestown, PA provided the 62 technologically-advanced, solar-powered LED lighting post systems for the academy's campus. The lights illuminate the northwest campus areas around the dormitories and dining hall.

The lights, provided by SolarOne® and Hadco, are powered by photovoltaic (PV) panels, making them completely independent of the electric grid. With their own solar power source, the light posts can easily be installed wherever light is needed, without expensive investments in trenching, cabling and repaving.
"We now have a beautifully lit walkway students are using extensively, day and night" said Capt. Allen Hansen, who championed the alternative energy project and is Vice President of Operations at the school.

The new lights replace an old assortment of low pressure sodium fixtures and overbearing flood lights, the combination of which left the campus spotty, dark and poorly lit. Instead of adding safety, the old lighting created isolated pools of glare between dark areas. With no underground power conduits, the easily installed PV-powered lights were readily and economically placed along walkways and around the dormitories, which previously had no site lighting.

The new solar-powered LED lighting reflects a larger trend in outdoor lighting, as evidenced by this month's National Geographic cover article (November issue, 2008). The softer, whiter directional LED lamps provide exceptional clarity and visibility on areas that require light, without sending stray light into areas that are best left dark. The result is an enhanced night time setting, with marked reduction in light pollution and energy usage.

"LED lighting feels more natural and appealing than yellow and orange sodium lighting. SolarOne® Solutions combines the best of both worlds; beautiful LED lighting and photovoltaic solar power by employing a unique management system to control both for maximum efficiency and reliability" affirms SolarOne® Solutions President, Moneer Azzam.

The lighting also supports the Mass Maritime's commitment to renewable energy and to developing environmental responsibility in their students. Over the past few years, the school has also installed a major 650 kilowatt wind turbine which serves the entire campus, as well as 81 kilowatts of solar panels on dormitory roofs.
"We searched for a solution that was visible to visitors and didn't add to the footprint of the Academy" said Hansen. "And it is visible enough, that people who visit point out to us that, 'hey you've got photovoltaic lights, don't you'. So we can share that story with them."

The lighting project was largely funded by a $325,000 state renewable energy grant to Mass Maritime, supplemented by a $34,000 rebate from the Commonwealth Solar program managed by the Mass Technology Collaborative. The balance of the funding was provided by the Massachusetts State College Building Authority and other Mass Maritime funds.

Ming-Jay Shiao of Solar Design Associates was the Specifying Engineer who advised the school to employ the SolarOne® Solutions light fixtures. Gregg Conboy of Erland Construction was the General Contractor for the project and said that setting the fixtures in place was straightforward. Architect Erika DeRoche, PCA of Prellwitz Chilinski Associates was instrumental in the overall campus lighting design.

The fixtures employ round strings of small LEDs, providing an attractive, uniform light. The LEDs themselves are housed inside a Hadco® Lighting fixture that recalls the classic beauty of street lighting from the early 20th century while delivering extreme weather ability. Hadco is the lighting industry leader that combines custom designed lighting with superior engineering.

There has been an increased amount of positive activity in the area as a result of the lights, but beyond the practical use, Hansen said the project helps students think about how they use energy. "When you walk down that area at night time, it really gives you a feeling of comfort and safety. And, we like the LED lighting" said Hansen.

The long-lasting LED lights significantly reduce maintenance, and perform well in cold temperatures. The light's solar panels are positioned to shed snow, and SolarOne's proprietary SO-Bright' Technology, which manages brightness and adapts to low power conditions, ensures that facilities are never left in the dark, even in the darkest days of winter and during extended cloudy periods.
"The system is designed to ride through eight really cloudy days," Azzam said.
Ideal for pathways, sidewalks, parking lots, and bus shelters, SolarOne® overhead lights are currently in use or being installed in locations as diverse as college campuses, corporate centers and city streets.

"The SolarOne lighting really has met all of our requirements." said Hansen "They're attractive, they provide a good light for our students in the areas we wanted, and they haven't added to the expense of operations on the campus."

About SolarOne® Solutions
SolarOne® Solutions provides simple and effective autonomous solar powered solutions for high-value commercial applications. SolarOne® Solutions has consistently led the industry in innovation: it was the first solar powered lighting company to offer max power tracking and the first to use solar powered LED lighting for general illumination. In 2005, SolarOne® Solutions received recognition for Excellence in Design at LightFair, the most prestigious lighting exhibition in the U.S. Installations across the globe serving a wide range of applications and customers including major college campuses, government laboratories and municipalities, have fueled SolarOne's rapid growth in this emerging industry. The company's patent-pending SO-Bright' Control Technology enables its HL (High Lumen) LED lamps to provide general outdoor illumination with unparalleled efficiency and reliability. The company is venture backed and supported in part by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
For information on SolarOne® Solutions visit www.solarone.net, e-mail solarone@eneref.com or call toll free 877-527-6461.

About Hadco® Lighting
Hadco® Lighting, a Philips group brand, has been a leader in manufacturing high performance, exceptional quality lighting systems for over 50 years. Hadco servers the Municipal/Utility, Commercial, and Residential lighting markets. Our lean, made-to-order philosophy and commitment to providing the industry's shortest lead times allows us to consistently meet our customer's needs. Hadco specializes in custom and modified products and utilizes the latest technologies available.

Additional information about Hadco is available by visiting www.hadco.com or calling 800-331-4185.

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