The City of Sarasota is among a growing number of cities and municipalities that are upgrading traditional outdoor lighting to innovative light-emitting diode (LED) fixtures, which save energy, increase illumination and protect the environment. The new Ringling Bridge Project, unveiled this month, reflects the growing national trend to utilize this emerging green and economically responsible technology.
Sunovia Energy Technologies partnered with Siemens under a performance contract with the City of Sarasota and has converted all cobra head roadway fixtures over the Ringling Bridge to Sunovia's EvoLucia high-efficiency LED lights. Each conventional high pressure sodium 185-watt fixture has been replaced with a Sunovia 55 watt LED fixture. The new Sunovia LED fixtures reduce energy consumption by 70 percent and increase visibility on the target roadway with Sunovia's proprietary Aimed Optics(TM) technology.
"Innovative endeavors such as the Ringling Bridge Project and the forward-thinking approaches of our citizens have helped Sarasota to continue to be seen as one of the most progressive and environmentally friendly cities in the country," said Mayor Suzanne Atwell. "In addition, these lights have been designed and manufactured by a local company, Sunovia Energy, whose employees live and work right here in our community. We are proud to be helping to create and retain sustainable, high tech jobs in our community."
The LED lights are extremely durable and last for about 12 years thus virtually eliminating maintenance costs for the life of the new LED fixture. In addition, increased illumination on the Ringling Bridge roadway will heighten safety and security for both pedestrian and vehicle traffic. The Sunovia LED cobra head fixture is fully recyclable and contains no mercury, which adversely affects the environment.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the increased adoption of LED lights over the next several years will reduce electricity demands by more than 60 percent, eliminate over 250 million metric tons of carbon emissions, avoid building 133 new power plants and generate about $280 billion in financial savings nationally.
In addition to environmental and cost benefits, LED lights offer a new option for street, walkway and parking lot enhancements to achieve whiter light. EvoLucia products employ a proprietary Aimed Optics(TM) technology, which efficiently converts energy to light and aims virtually all of the generated light directly onto the target area in an even and uniform light pattern. EvoLucia describes it as "painting the road with energy-efficient LED lighting."
"Many military installations, state and local municipalities and private businesses are now switching to our LED lighting products because they save money and help the environment," said Sunovia co-founder Craig Hall. "The LED lights also increase safety and security by improving light uniformity on the road, which enhances visibility. We are proud that our home city is taking an active leadership role in the adoption of this practical and environmentally sound technology."
Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc. is a Sarasota, Florida-based company that recently won the lighting industry's coveted Best LED Street Light award, in its category, which was presented by the US Department of Energy. The company manufactures and distributes LED lighting products that save money, reduce carbon emissions, promote security and preserve the environment. Its fixtures have been used for a variety of purposes throughout the United States, including several military facilities such as the U.S. Marine base at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
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