DoD Wounded Warrior Barracks

Description: A DoD base was in desperate need of a lighting upgrade at a Housing community that was converted to a Wounded Warrior Barracks.  The mission of the barracks is to provide housing assistance to Wounded, Ill and Injured Marines and their family members throughout the phases of their recovery, in order to successfully return them to full duty or transition to civilian life. 

Challenges: Light pollution, outdated and insufficient lighting and vehicle strikes.  Wall mounted fixtures were spilling light into windows creating an unpleasant living space under already challenging conditions, resulting in vandalism and destruction. Due to the challenges and large expense of hardwiring proper lighting, this was the only solution despite the negative impact to residents.  Another contributing factor of light pollution was the outdated optics on the existing fixtures which distributed horizontal light.  This resulted in two outcomes: more unwanted light entering homes and vehicle strikes which impact both car owner and base maintenance.  Since the optics threw light sideways, a minimal amount was captured on the ground which required the fixtures to be installed on the round-about itself. 

Solution:Innovative solar bollards provided a number of benefits that immediately removed maintenance costs and improved community surroundings.  The PLB is a fully shielded fixture, minimizing light pollution and LED technology directs light to the ground with a wider distribution.  This forward throw of downward light provided a safer offset location for the fixture, clear of vehicles and other transportation aids.  Solar bollards require no trenching so lights were evenly distributed throughout the round-about and strategically placed in priority locations on adjacent walkways, resulting in the removal of wall mounted fixtures.  The base also epoxied solar pavement markers on the inside of the driveway, which offered directional guidance for drivers and pedestrians.

Result: The excessive costs associated with maintaining the older lights have been removed entirely and residents can get the rest they need without the disturbance of light trespass. The driveway remained opened during installation.  Residents were spared the excessive noise of heavy machinery associated with construction, trenching and excavation of traditional hardwire systems. 

Waikiki Aquarium

Description: The Waikiki Aquarium recently celebrated their 110th Birthday Anniversary and in revamping their facilities decided to upgrade lighting that existed since the 80s. 

Challenges: The original bollards were large coral posts utilizing outdated incandescent lamps. There were issues with corroded wiring rendering lights inoperative with parts obsolete, having reached their end of life. 

Solution: A trial PLB-101 unit was purchased and the idea was to remove the top half of the lighting fixture, recycling the coral bollard for the base.  After the trial and evaluating the corrosion issues associated with the existing wiring and conduit, it was decided to remove the entire stanchion completely and go with PLB-102s. 

Result: The new bollards opened the space that was once congested by bulky coral bollards allowing the entrance to "breathe".  Housings and stanchions were color matched to the ocean blue theme used througout the premises.  The PLBs are fully shielded meeting future lighting ordinances.  This was an important feature of the technology as the aquarium is situated near the ocean.  As a community leader, the Waikiki Aquarium committed to sourcing renewable technology that is sustainable, purposeful as well as functional. 

Case Studies