Case study May 2025
Santa Fe, New Mexico
As Santa Fe, NM, continues to grow, new neighborhoods are testing the limits of existing infrastructure. The Community College District on the southwest edge of town has become a prime example, with increasing congestion and calls for better connectivity pushing the County to act.
Recognizing the immediate needs and anticipating future development, the County delivered an ambitious plan: three new road segments totaling nearly four miles and six new roundabouts to keep traffic flowing. Proper lighting was critical for ensuring safe nighttime navigation.
The plan initially called for conventional, grid-powered streetlights. However, after the project had gone to bid and equipment was on order, engineers delivered some unfortunate news: bringing power to the lighting locations would add an estimated $1 million to the project cost.
The project’s design engineers turned to their lighting partner, Acuity, for an alternative. Acuity quickly identified solar as the ideal solution, noting that it would eliminate not only the upfront cost of trenching and wiring but also the ongoing cost of powering the lights.
Having successfully collaborated on dozens of projects, Acuity tapped Sol to provide a best-in-class solution that would meet the County’s needs while significantly reducing costs. Together, the team proposed a groundbreaking product never before deployed in North America: Sol’s new EverGen solar light.
This redesigned version of Sol’s proven technology offered a significantly lighter and more cost-effective option while maintaining the reliability and durability critical for roadway infrastructure. Paired with Acuity’s AEL Autobahn fixture, the system met the County’s light level requirements and complied with the state’s Night Sky Protection Act, which requires all newly installed fixtures to be full cutoff.
While the County did evaluate other products and manufacturers, they were particularly impressed by how the Sol/Acuity partnership leveraged both companies’ strengths—Acuity’s expertise in roadway lighting design and Sol’s deep knowledge of solar technology and energy management
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Unlike other manufacturers, Sol and Acuity provided detailed technical specifications addressing critical factors like weight, EPA, and poles, including the required breakaway system. The 10-year warranty, Bluetooth capabilities, and remote monitoring platform further solidified the County’s trust in the solution.
Since their installation in January 2025—with on-site support from Sol’s technical team—the 48 lights have performed flawlessly, contributing to the project’s completion ahead of schedule and under budget. Residents now enjoy vastly improved commute times on well-lit roads that enhance safety while delivering cost savings and environmental benefits.
