Solar street lights and other street light solutions using advanced solar technology

Funding for lighting upgrading plan is very important for green city program. Everyone knows that the street lights in city consume great amount of energy for lighting the city nights. So, when we are talking about energy saving, we always think about upgrading these street lights firstly. But it’s not easy for consuming great amount of money. Now, Area taxing bodies are encouraged to apply for federal stimulus funding available for lighting upgrades.

The funding includes federal stimulus dollars administered by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Illinois Association of Regional Councils, Dornbusch said. Blackhawk Hills RC&D is coordinating the program in this region

Grants are awarded for three major types of projects, Dornbusch said. For one type, grant funding is available, up to $400 per light, to upgrade existing street lights to a more “energy efficient system,” he said.

Also, grants of up to $100,000 are available for taxing bodies to complete building retrofits, Dornbusch said. This can involve modifying windows and doors, interior lighting, heating/air-conditioning systems, and showers, he said.

“We’ve had a lot of interest in the program,” Dornbusch said. “It’s an excellent opportunity for local units of government in a strapped time for money to do some energy efficient projects. With (this program), the vast majority of the project would be paid for by federal stimulus funding.”

Through the initiative, units of government can apply to receive a matching grant to complete various kinds of energy efficiency projects. The grants require a 25 percent match from the taxing body.

Dornbusch said the program is open to counties, cities, townships, rural fire protection districts, schools, libraries, and other taxing bodies in the region.

If a participating community lies within ComEd’s service territory, officials there must also apply for funding through the ComEd Energy Efficiency Portfolio Program, if they want federal stimulus dollars, Dornbusch said. The ComEd program is administered through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Once the project starts, we could cut great amount of electricity billing by using solar street lighting with solar energy.