Solving big problems starts by thinking small   On September 21–23, 2019, the UN Climate Action Summit took place in New York City, drawing together representatives of government, the private sector, civil society, local authorities, and other international organizations to develop solutions to the climate crisis facing the planet. Many eyes were on 16-year-old Swedish […]

When Renewable Energy Relieves Grid Demand   California’s inhabitants have seen many dry seasons over the years, but this fall seems especially problematic for residents of the Golden State. Earlier this week, Pacific Gas & Electric stated a condition of unprecedented wildfire danger. Hundreds of thousands of customers were scheduled to lose power in their […]

When you install a traditional commercial light, you don’t often need to be concerned with whether it will be “bright” enough or will operate continuously because there is an expectation that it will work as specified. You trench, lay cables, connect to the utility, and bam—you have light! However, if avoiding those trenching and utility […]

US Green Building Council strives to expand the green conversation to be more inclusive The US Green Building Council (USGBC) is a non-profit that strives to transform how buildings are designed, constructed, and operated through the LEED rating system. It advocates for green building that generates both environmental and social benefits for communities. In an […]

Grassroots groups make a difference in Portland, Red Bluff, and more   At America Walks, the Community Change Grant program is one of the most popular initiatives, offering $1,500 in community stipends to projects across the United States that support healthy, active, and engaging spaces for people to live, work, and play. The awardees work […]

How Infrastructure Week can open the conversation on building a sustainable future Infrastructure Week, which a US non-profit organization of the same name holds each May, is a week of education and advocacy, bringing together elected leaders, businesses, workers, and citizens to raise awareness and push toward the common goal of improving the nation’s infrastructure. […]

How a properly sized solar lighting system ensures reliability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness At Sol, our philosophy is to provide a solar light that operates like a regular street light—meaning that we don’t dim the lights in bad weather to make sure we don’t kill the battery. Instead, we properly size our solar lighting systems for […]

I have an existing electric street light. Can I convert it to run on solar power? The short answer: yes and no. While an electric street light pole might be able to be reused for a solar lighting system, the light fixture itself would need to be replaced to run on solar power. Why can’t […]

Solar street lighting a smart choice for school crosswalks and parking lots   Safe Routes to School is a movement aimed at making it both safer and easier for students to walk and bike to and from school. There are Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs across the United States and Canada with a variety […]

Secure financing for safe, effective community trails   Our rails-to-trails series delves into how this type of urban renewal can rejuvenate your city. First, we looked at the basics of urban renewal and how rail-trails fit in. Then, we explored how to incorporate lighting into a trail project and the considerations needed before it can […]