Randwick has become the first council in New South Wales to trial a new solar powered street lighting technology developed by solar lighting company Point Energy Group Australia.
The technology uses an ultra efficient solar film placed around the pole itself, negating the need for traditional solar panels. It is currently being used in areas of the USA and the Middle East.
Efficient multi-LED lighting systems, with built in intelligence, mean the solar collectors in the pole can provide light for as long as nine days without direct sunlight.
The lights will be trialled along Randwick’s Maroubra beach and in Bicentennial Park.
Mayor of Randwick, Councillor John Procopiadis, said around half of Randwick Council’s energy costs come from street lighting, a trend experienced by most Local Governments across Australia.
“With all the recent talk in the media of electricity costs increasing, it’s important for councils to investigate ways of reducing their energy bills,” he said.
Randwick is already home to Australia’s largest rooftop solar panel.
The panel at Council’s Works Depot in Maroubra provides 25 per cent of the building’s annual energy requirements.
The trial will finish in July
