LED high mast lighting is a type of outdoor lighting system that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as the light source. LEDs are semiconductor devices that convert electricity into light, with high efficiency and long lifespan. LED high mast lighting typically consists of multiple LED fixtures mounted on tall poles, ranging from 15 to 55 meters in height, that illuminate large areas such as highways, railway yards, ports, airports, stadiums, parking lots, and industrial sites. LED high mast lighting has many benefits over conventional lighting technologies, such as high-pressure sodium (HPS), metal halide (MH), or fluorescent lamps. In this article, we will discuss some of the main benefits of LED high mast lighting, such as energy savings, efficiency, spectrum, intensity, heat, lifespan, and maintenance.
- Energy savings: Compare the energy consumption and costs of LED and conventional high mast lighting, and explain how LED can save money in the long run.
One of the main benefits of LED high mast lighting is the significant energy savings it can provide. LED high mast lighting consumes much less electricity than conventional high mast lighting, which translates into lower energy bills and reduced carbon footprint. The common powers for LED high mast lighting fixtures often range from 210 watts to 750 watts, resulting in a 50% to 80% reduction in energy consumption compared to conventional fixtures. This can result in savings of up to $8,000 per fixture per year in electricity costs. LED high mast lighting also has a higher power factor than conventional lighting, which means it draws less current from the grid and reduces the power losses in the transmission lines.
- Efficiency: Compare the lumens per watt and photosynthetic photon efficacy (PPE) of LED and conventional high mast lighting, and explain how LED can provide more usable light for the target area. Another benefit of LED high mast lighting is the higher efficiency it offers. Efficiency measures how much light a fixture produces per unit of power consumed. There are two ways to measure efficiency: lumens per watt and photosynthetic photon efficacy (PPE). Lumens per watt is a measure of the visible light output of a fixture, while PPE is a measure of the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) output of a fixture. PAR is the range of wavelengths that plants use for photosynthesis, which is between 400 nm and 700 nm. LED high mast lighting has a higher lumen per watt and PPE than conventional high mast lighting. This means that it produces more visible light and more PAR per watt than conventional fixtures. For instance, a 500-watt LED fixture can produce 50,000 lumens or 500 µmol/s, while a 1000-watt HPS fixture can produce only 100,000 lumens or 1000 µmol. This means that LED high mast lighting can achieve comparable or better performance while using half the power or less than conventional lighting.
- Spectrum: Compare the color temperature and spectral distribution of LED and conventional high mast lighting, and explain how LED can offer more flexibility and control over the lighting environment.
A third benefit of LED high mast lighting is the superior spectrum it delivers. Spectrum refers to the color and quality of light that a fixture emits. The spectrum of a fixture affects the growth, development, and yield of plants, as well as the visibility, comfort, and safety of humans and animals. The spectrum of a fixture is measured by its color temperature and spectral distribution. Color temperature is a measure of how warm or cool the light appears, expressed in kelvins (K). Spectral distribution is a measure of how much light is emitted at each wavelength within the PAR range, expressed in nanometers (nm). LED high mast lighting has a variable color temperature (from 3000 K to 6500 K) and a broader spectral distribution (covering the entire PAR range) than conventional high mast lighting. This means that it can produce a cool white light that mimics the sun in spring or summer, a warm white light that mimics the sun in late summer or early fall, or anything in between. This spectrum is good for both plants and humans, as it can be adjusted to suit their needs. You can also use different colors of LEDs to create custom spectra that enhance specific aspects of plant growth or human perception.
- Intensity: Compare the light output and coverage area of LED and conventional high mast lighting.
AIKO Lighting’s LED high mast lighting is designed with the easy installation and low maintenance, it’s usefull for new and retrofit industrial applications.
