Kevin Harney

This seemed pretty cool so I thought I would post it here

Solar Trees May Light Up Europe MetaEfficient Reviews

Chris H.

Kevin,

I wonder how the cost of installing a solar tree compares to that of a standard street light? They look like they might be expensive...

I like the idea of LED lighting, and especially solar powered (or wind powered) LED lights, but I wonder if there might be a more cost effective way of implementing it?

What do you think?

Chris H.

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Kevin Harney

Being as I work for and Electric company. I can tell you it is scary for us. These are likely to cost LESS to install because there is no infastructure necessay to support them. No maintenance. LED bulbs are pretty much maintenance free as are the solar cells. We will be losing millions of dollars in income if they are adopted. Throw down a concrete slab and bolt on the branches and you are done. but great for the envirnment

doug

Hmmm... I'm not so sure about this idea. I think it certainly would be great for a remote area. But in cities which already have a power infrastructure, I'm not sure it makes much sense. I'd think you'd be better off replacing the lamps in existing street lights with LED's, then using whatever renewable energy generation you have available. Solar, for example, might be more efficiently (in terms of power and material cost) generated on roof tops or at solar farms than on these solar trees. Also what kind of batteries do they use? How long will they last? Will the diurnal and seasonal temperature fluctuations be a problem. I'd think it would just be cheaper and more environmentally friendly to use the grid as your "battery".

Anyhow, these are just my initial impressions.


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Kevin Harney

You will note from the article that some cities are saving $100,000 in their electric bill alone by using them. And that is every year !!! That is a BIG deal. It can cost $40-50,000 just to install the light in the first place with all of the equipment necessary. Paid for in 2-3 years. That is a big deal.

doug

$40-50K per solar tree? How much does it cost to replace the lamp in an existing street light with LED's? I'm not saying it's a bad idea, just that there may be simpler more efficient solutions.

SByer

If you already have the installations, doesn't look like that much.

doug

Saw this in Wired the other day.

Seems a lot more practical in places that have electricity. Here's a link to the online version:
Big City, Brighter Lights: Gotham's New LED Streetlamp Plan

vfx

Pretty cool. I would want one at my house. This could also go the the LED lighting thread.

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