Installation of Environmentally-Friendly and Cost-Effective LED Area Lighting Completed

Wake Electric has replaced area lights with new Light-Emitting Diode (LED) security lights. Both federal and state laws now lead us to move forward in improving energy efficiency and one of the ways your co-op is meeting those mandates is through the installation of environmentally-friendly LED lights.

In particular, switching to LED lighting helps us meet the requirements of the N.C. Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS) mandate set forth in 2007. This state legislation mandates that by 2018, 10 percent of the energy that electric cooperatives sell be created through renewable energy resources or by energy efficiency measures.

Federal laws have also been designed to eliminate less-efficient lighting sources.  Wake Electric is taking a proactive approach and has found LED lighting to be a cost effective and lighting alternative for our members. All streetlights installed in new subdivisions throughout our territory will also have LED lighting.

There are several benefits to using LED lights, including:

  • Use less energy and better light quality
  • Have a very long life, which improves reliability and reduces operating costs
  • Light output is comparable to the fixture we are replacing
  • Provides lighting on the ground with zero upward light pollution
  • Produces a more desirable white color

With completion of this project, we will save more than 3.5 million kWh per year,  or 35 million kWh saved after the first 10 years of LEDs in service.

These LED light fixtures are manufactured in Morrisville, North Carolina.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to call us at (919) 863-6300 or toll free (800) 474-6300.