Case Study: Denver Water achieves trench-free, cost-saving solar parking lighting with Ameresco

Denver Water - Customer Case Study

Denver Water needed area lighting for the public parking lot at Waterton Canyon but wanted to avoid the high up-front cost, disruption and environmental impact of trenching for utility power. Denver Water selected Ameresco’s photovoltaic/solar-powered area lighting solution (0.640 kW project) to provide flexible, low-impact illumination that supports the utility’s stewardship goals.

Ameresco designed and supplied solar arrays with 35-watt low-pressure sodium fixtures, sealed maintenance-free batteries and DOT-rated poles so the lights run about 10 hours nightly, can operate through several sunless days, and are easily relocated. Ameresco’s installation offsets nearly 1 ton of CO2 per year, cost roughly $4,300 per system (saving on trenching and repair), reduced light pollution and insect attraction, and delivered low maintenance and positive public perception.

Denver Water

Mark Thomas

Sr. Infrastructure Technician