According to a NYT article by Sara Goodwin, published on July 29, 2009, Walmart has turned one of their parking lots into a giant LED testing lab. The goal is to see if Walmart and a score of other retailers can use LED lighting to reduce neighborhood light pollution, energy costs by 50% and maintenance costs by 80%.
Since April of 2008 12 major retailers have been working with the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a list of criteria necessary to successfully implement the use of LEDs. New technologies can be costly to install and/or implement, but LED technology is relatively well developed and may be less costly than other solutions.
Walmart is testing in the parking lot of its new store in Leavenworth, Kansas. "We wanted to test the technology parameters of the recommendations ... to find out how it actually performs in the environment and with our shoppers," said Don Moseley, Wal-Mart's director of sustainable facilities. 33 poles support 92 fixtures controlled to shed light on the parking lot and reduce light drift which causes neighborhood light pollution. The bulbs have a 10 year relamping time frame as opposed to the 2 year relamping plan for their other bulbs. There is an estimated 3-6 year investment payback period, however, Moseley stated,"While that cost is an important decision, if all the other parameters prove true and the other savings are there, and we have a safe and secure shopping environment, at that point, then, we try to negotiate for volume purchase." Key factors in the decision to adopt LEDS will include: maintenance and customer acceptance.
Walmart greens again - good for Business and good for the Environment.
-- till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew
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5 comments:
I would be worried about the long term effect of being exposed to led lighting. If there was no effects on the human body then I think this is a wonderful advancement in preventing light pollution. Plus if K-mart can pull this off other retailers will follow. Especially if it will reduce work cost by 30%. I think people need to realize that just because its good for the environment doesn't mean its bad for your wallet.
I think its great that Walmart is doing yet another socially responsible project. It amazes me how walmart trys whatever they can to give back to the community, which is why i feel they are such a successful company. I also think its a great idea to start testing out new ideas and sources for light and energy, im interested to see the outcome of this project. will we be seeing these LED systems in our local parking lots?
The LED lighting almost seems too good to be true. The cost reduction numbers are astounding. While smaller or newer companies may not be able to afford the 3-6 year investment period, Wal-mart certainly can. I really don't see any drawbacks to this advancement besides the initial cost. Customer acceptance is a concern but I don't really see why they would oppose the LED lighting if it will decrease their local light pollution. The other consideration is maintenance but these lights seem to actually require less maintenance than the existing fixtures, so it sounds like a "win-win" situation.
I agree with all that has been previously said. I think this is yet another great idea Walmart has taken interest in and I really don't see any negatives, besides the initial cost, which with the astounding savings in other costs isn't as big of a factor anymore. I have used items with LED lights in them before and have always liked the light they give off and how long they last. I know many products, using LEDs, even state this on the box as a feature. To me this shows that LEDs add value to a product and that other customers feel similar and also buy products because of this. With this being said, I don't feel customer acceptance will be an issue. And because these lights have a significantly greater lifetime then other lights, maintenance while it may be more difficult when needed, won't be needed nearly as often. All signs to me point to this being a success.
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