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Moon Sensitive Street Lamps Could Save Gigawatts


We don't keep streetlights on when the sun is up, so why do we keep them on when the full moon is out? Metropolis Magazine held a Next Generation design contest, looking for designs focused on energy, and the winner was the "lunar resonant streetlamp."

The lamp dims itself depending on how much light the moon is putting out, saving energy and providing a consistent amount of light. If the moon is beaming, it'll hold back, but if it is a new moon, or cloudy then the lights will be on full blast  Each lamp contains a photo-cell sensitive enough to detect subtle changes in moonlight. In addition they use LED lights instead of regular bulbs. All together, the lamps use 95% less power than regular streetlamps.  A nation wide switch to these lights would literally save gigawatts.

We can't help but think it would be awesome to have these in our own house. If only our lights knew when they didn't need to be on. I never liked light switches anyway.

Via Metropolis Magazine and New Scientist

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And on Motorways?
written by Steve Bailey, May 03, 2007
I think one of the best energy-saving initiatives regarding lighting would be to switch off all street-lighting on motorways (Highways) after a certain time, as they won't be heavily used and it also adds to light pollution. Having street lighting on all night is a relatively recent thing and I'm not sure it's strictly necessary (aside from pedestrian areas, and perhaps accident blackspots).
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written by Tobias, May 03, 2007
light-sensors at home would only work in combination with motion-sensors, otherwise they would always be on in the dark even if nobody was there. and light switches will be necessary to turn of the light when you want it to be off (for whatever reason)

as for the sensors in streetlights: I love the idea. last night I was trying to go to sleep and the moon was shining into my room and I was surprised at the amount of light it put off! but do the production (and environmental) costs of making and installing all those cells weigh up to the advantages?
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written by CF, May 03, 2007
"but do the production (and environmental) costs of making and installing all those cells weigh up to the advantages? "

With this idea you really dont need a very large cell at all. You arent trying to generate electricity from moon light, you are only trying to determine if there is moon light. The photovoltaic cells would be smaller than a cell phone and relatively cheap.

I also like your idea of the motion sensor. I was trying to think of the best way to determine if there was a car on the road, but I think that might be the simplest. I was thinking of either sound detector or IR scanner. If it senses something it will light up the lights for a 1/4 mile or something. We'll let the experts determine the best distance it should be.
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lighting designs
written by maxmsf, May 06, 2007
There were a few other submissions to this contest that were also very cool and related to lighting. One was Brightwalk which is a shoe that emits light as the wearer walks/runs, another I liked as PowerLeap which I think is a floor that lights up as people are walking on it.
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To be honest
written by Michael, May 12, 2007
I have no idea why this hasn't already been done.
It's a known fact that a lot of power goes to light at night, and it's not always necessary.
You don't need to be Einstein to think about it..
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i agree completly
written by dog, November 09, 2007
but my query is when exactly were the light sensitive lamps we have now, were invented?
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written by Lalith, July 20, 2008
ideal for street lighting. Is this only a concept or have anyone already implemented ? if yes where can we get those sensors
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street lamps
written by street lamps, August 20, 2009
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Good info.
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valves
written by valves manufacturer, October 14, 2009
It's very good, why not get it from sun, what's you want you can earn.
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chem
written by wastewater treatment chemicals, October 19, 2009
Moon Sensitive Street Lamps Could Save Gigawatts
very interesting,I like this.
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THKS
written by Rena, November 19, 2009
Thank you for sharing!

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