Sharp Corporation will introduce two models of solar-powered LED street lights that combine Sharp’s proprietary solar (photovoltaic) modules and high-intensity, long-life white LEDs. The LN-LW3A1 Solar-Powered LED Street Light delivers brightness at the industry’s highest level luminous flux: 1,800 lumens, rivaling the light output from a regular 32-W fluorescent security light (which uses six compact fluorescent tubes) that is becoming the dominant product for this application. The LN-LS2A1 (instrument-measured luminous flux: 1,200 lumens) provides light output comparable to the 20-W class of security lights and is ideal for spot lighting in areas such as public parks.

The light from the LN-LW3A1 is bright enough to enable a person to make out the general facial features of a pedestrian on a darkened street or walkway at night from up to four meters away, regarded as the minimum distance required to take evasive action after judging the other person to be suspicious. These units also feature a Seismic Motion Sensor that detects the occurrence of a major earthquake measuring 5 or greater on the Japanese seismic scale and turns on the unit at full brightness during nighttime hours for two days. This allows these units to serve as emergency lights in case of a power interruption in the surrounding area.

Expectations are increasing for solar-powered LED lighting to become the environmentally friendly outdoor lighting for the 21st century. These units generate no CO2 emissions and work by storing electricity generated by sunlight during the day in storage batteries to provide illumination at night.

The operation of the LN-LW3A1 eliminates approximately 48 kg of CO2 emissions per year compared to using lighting units powered by conventional utility sources. The integrated LEDs use no mercury, an environmentally hazardous substance, and also emit no ultraviolet light. Further, because they have a long service life requiring replacement only once every 10 years, almost no time and effort is involved in maintenance.

By meeting demand for new installations of street lights which is said to be 100,000 per year in Japan, Sharp is offering these units as powerful floodlights for crime deterrence and emergency safety lighting featuring both environmental performance and nighttime visibility.