Hella intros new line of 'green' LED streetlight products

PLYMOUTH, USA: Hella, a major automotive lighting and electronics supplier, is introducing a new line of energy-efficient LED street and area-lighting products designed to replace conventional lighting on streets, parking lots and commercial property throughout North America.

Based on more than 20 years of LED development and manufacturing experience, Hella has developed a unique "retrofit" module to replace conventional lamps on existing installations, as well as high-power LED modules for new installations.

The company’s new Eco StreetLine lamps offer significant energy and maintenance savings compared to conventional street lights, according to Steve Lietaert, industrial product group director at Hella Electronics in Plymouth, Michigan.

Lietaert said that the company is launching its new LED product line this month with an installation program in Flora, Illinois.

"We expect to finalize a number of additional projects in Michigan and Illinois within the next several months," Lietaert added. "We're actively discussing retrofit programs with other cities, major power companies and several automakers."

The company's retrofit system simplifies the conversion process from conventional to LED street lighting. The 48-LED light module consumes 75 Watts while producing nearly 5900 Lumens. Hella’s new LED products will be assembled at a Hella plant in Flora.

"Hella's new industrial lighting program will benefit Flora and the State of Illinois in a number of ways," said David Thompson, Flora’s city administrator. "More energy-efficient street lighting not only will have a positive impact on our city's annual budget, but also will support our commitment to improving the environment."

Dr. Martin Fischer, president of Hella Electronics Corporation and the Hella Corporate Center USA, noted that Hella has extensive automotive and industrial LED-lighting experience. Since 1992, the company has sold more than 20 million automotive LED lamps, including more than five million last year alone.

A leader in converting municipal and industrial lighting systems in Europe, Hella recently completed Germany's largest municipal LED replacement project, helping the City of Lippstadt cut energy consumption for lighting by 70 percent. A similar conversion project at EADS (European Aeronautic and Defense Space Co.), the largest industrial program of its kind in Germany, reduced that company's energy costs by 68 percent.

"Hella lighting customers benefit from our thermal management experience, optical simulation-and-design capability and in-house product-development expertise," Fischer said. "We also guarantee the long-term availability of replacement parts."

State and local governments, as well as private businesses, are taking advantage of federal incentive programs to replace conventional street lights with 'green' LED lighting that is more energy efficient, requires less maintenance and lasts longer. LED lighting also is expected to reduce demand on the nation's electric-power grids, a key federal objective.