BLAINE, Minn. – (Jan. 15, 2016) – Technology is always changing, and one area that has made significant advancements in recent years is in lighting. Homes are switching from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescents, halogens, or even LEDs. While LEDs are slowly building steam for in home use, their use in commercial areas and along roadways is growing very quickly.
“We’ve been experimenting with outdoor lighting or street lighting for LEDs for about the last three to four years,” said Don Haller, Connexus Energy vice president of member services, products and sales.
Connexus Energy has many styles of LEDs lights set up in their parking lot for testing and for demonstration for their commercial accounts. Various styles of LED lights can be seen in area parking lots and along recently constructed roadways.
“We only have about 300 street lights from an LED standpoint out there,” said Haller.
But, demand is growing. Andover put in LEDs around the a large development, and Blaine and Coon Rapids worked together to put them along University Avenue when it was rebuilt. In fact, Connexus Energy will only install LED street lights moving forward.
One reason they are directly there focus to LEDs is because of energy consumption. These street lights only use about half the energy of the older style lights. But, it’s not just the energy usage that makes them a smart choice. Size, shape, and convenience play a roll as well.
“They are smaller lights. They are easier to handle. The lumens, which is the light output, is equivolent,” said Haller. “Energy consumption is less, and overall it’s just a brighter, crisper light.”
As more roads go under construction next spring, you can expect to see even more LED street lights popping up throughout the state.
