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L.A. Shines Brighter With New Solar Powered Street Lights
Street Light via Shutterstock
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Following L.A.'s big announcement this week to ban plastic bags, the city will take another step toward a greener environment with the installation of new solar powered and LED street lights.
The Bureau of Street Lighting announced a pilot program today that will bring 100 solar panels on new LED street lights in Venice, Hollywood and Porter Ranch. The solar panels will capture energy and feed it back to the grid. The department will also install another 140,000 LED lights throughout the city.
This is the largest installation of LED lights in any U.S. city, according to the Bureau of Street Lighting. It estimates that the program will "save energy by 40 percent, approximately 40,500 tons of carbon emissions per year, and reduce maintenance of the city's street lighting system."
According to the bureau, the conversion will come at no additional charge to the city. The cost will be paid through the savings in energy and maintenance. The lights will change from the yellowish color to LED white light.
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