Signify’s hybrid solar lighting take Trafford a step closer to its carbon neutral goals

February 2, 2024

Trafford became one of the first local authorities in the country to install solar hybrid streetlights after five columns were installed on Woodbridge Road in Urmston.

The rise of solar energy is leading to a shift in the way we power lighting across the world. As the world leader in lighting, we're committed to innovations of all kinds — especially when they reduce the impact on the environment as energy efficiency battles climate change by reducing energy usage. Clean energy battles climate change by decarbonizing the energy that is used. It's why we're leading the way in advancing solar-powered lights, helping you meet your sustainability goals and bring light to communities by harnessing the power of the sunlight and at the same time encouraging the use of renewable energy. One such innovation from Signify are the solar and hybrid-solar streetlights that reduce carbon emissions while leveraging the most cost-efficient energy source around: the sun. To add to that infrastructure projects such as connected street lighting create on local jobs benefit for the local economy, help reduce carbon and save energy. The benefits are not limited to just positive impact on the environment.

When people think of Solar lighting, they automatically think of Off Grid Solar streetlights powered completely by energy from the sun. In this kind of solution, the solar panels charge the batteries during the day and the stored energy from the battery powers the LEDs at night. No doubt, off Grid solar has been benefiting millions of people globally who live without power or where power infrastructure costs are prohibitive.

If we explore solar solutions in the UKI (UK & Ireland) region, there are challenges to meet as we have some of the lowest average annual solar irradiance levels in Europe. This is a particular problem in the winter when the days are short, and the nights are longer. When you start to factor in adverse weather conditions like rain and snow it becomes even more difficult to guarantee performance of the off grid solar lighting solutions. As lighting of public spaces is highly regulated, installing lighting that cannot be relied upon to provide light at all required times represents a tangible risk.

To overcome this challenge and help customers meet their sustainability commitments Signify has launched the new Solar Hybrid proposition to the market, meaning the luminaire will be powered by the sun when conditions allow and draw energy from the grid when it does not. This not only helps reach Net Zero target whilst using best in class luminaires, but this solution also propagates the use of renewable energy in the country, making them a more sustainable choice.

Signify has been experimenting with hybrid solar systems. The innovative solution enables streetlights to be powered by clean solar energy when weather conditions allow while accessing the mains grid when they do not. This makes hybrid a feasible option for high-latitude countries where sunshine may be less reliable, and daylight is more dependent on the seasons. This also helps move developed countries like the UK reduce the reliance on energy from the grid and scale up the use of renewables while reducing their carbon footprint.

Ultimately, a paradigm shift is occurring where solar power is no longer being attributed only to places where existing infrastructure lacks and instead is being seen as an important part of the global energy mix. The alternative is becoming the new norm.