Solar lights eliminates need for 2km cable
The installation of two solar-powered exterior lights at a railway crossing in Cambridgeshire has eliminated the need for a copper grid connection of 2 kilometres.
Up to now Rampton Crossing, north of Cambridge, has lacked adequate lighting and was assessed as posing a ‘significant risk’ of injury to the public.
Given the crossing is also used as a guided bus route, high-level lighting was needed to improve visibility for bus drivers, therefore ensuring safe passage through the area.
However, the nearest grid connection is 2000-metres away, so luminaire maker DW Windsor suggested using a fully off-grid solar luminaire.
The company supplied two Kirium One lanterns with 100W Torino sleeve solar panels from its solar range. They were installed on 6-metre columns on each side of the crossing to ensure even lighting.
A dimming profile was developed to provide adequate illumination during peak hours, with integrated PIR sensors programmed to activate full output on detecting movement, returning to a dimmed state after 60 seconds of inactivity.
]This system significantly reduces energy consumption, aligning with the project’s sustainability objectives.
‘This project perfectly shows the benefits of solar lighting in rural environments,’ said Alan Grant, design and development director at DW Windsor. ‘By eliminating the need for grid power and leveraging energy-efficient solutions, we’ve demonstrated how technology can enhance safety while supporting environmental goals’.
Wayne Shardelow, senior lighting design engineer at Balfour Beatty, said: ‘Working alongside DW Windsor on this project was a pleasure – the team provided expert recommendations, were thorough in their calculations, and worked hard to ensure that the lighting solutions met the specific requirements for illumination, aesthetics and sustainability. Using powerful solar solutions is a step in the right direction to ensure that environmentally friendly, long-lasting lighting is there for the future of users of this crossing.’
The client was Cambridgeshire County Council.
• Learn more about sustainable and solar lighting at Circular Lighting Live 2025, Recolight’s flagship conference and exhibition, which takes place on Thursday 25 September 2025 at the Minster Building in the City of London. Free to specifiers, Circular Lighting Live 2025 will feature leading experts, specifiers and policy makers who will share their insights into forthcoming standards and legislation, emerging technologies and new business models. More info: www.circularlighting.live
