Smart cities are no longer a futuristic idea—they’re here. And at the heart of this transformation is one often-overlooked component: streetlights. They’ve been lighting our roads for over a century, but today, they’re getting smarter and more efficient. Connected streetlights aren’t just about lighting up the night—they’re about saving money, conserving energy, improving safety, and laying the groundwork for smarter infrastructure.
1. Connected streetlights can reduce energy consumption by up to 80% compared to traditional lighting systems.
If you’re still using older high-pressure sodium or metal halide streetlights, you’re missing out on massive savings.
The move to LED technology alone cuts energy use significantly, but when you add connectivity—such as remote dimming, scheduling, and adaptive lighting—you unlock the potential to save up to 80% in energy costs.
Here’s how it works: connected streetlights can respond in real time. They brighten when traffic increases, dim when roads are empty, and even turn off completely during long periods of inactivity.
This smart behavior ensures that energy is used only when necessary.
For city planners and utility managers, this stat isn’t just impressive—it’s actionable. Begin by identifying pilot zones with high lighting costs. Replace the bulbs with smart-enabled LEDs and connect them to a centralized control system.
Monitor energy usage before and after. The savings will speak for themselves. You can scale from there.
Even small towns can benefit. Energy is one of the largest recurring costs in municipal budgets, and reducing it by 80% can free up significant resources for other community projects.
2. Global connected streetlight installations exceeded 16 million units by the end of 2023.
This number isn’t just big—it’s a sign of momentum. Over 16 million connected streetlights have already been deployed across the globe, and that number keeps climbing. Why? Because cities are seeing results.
From North America to Europe and parts of Asia, governments are actively converting their lighting infrastructure to smart systems.
The rise in adoption is driven by both necessity and opportunity—rising energy costs, sustainability goals, and a push for smart city capabilities all play a role.
What can this stat teach you? There’s strength in numbers. When you implement connected lighting, you’re not experimenting in isolation—you’re joining a global movement.
You can tap into lessons learned, vendor comparisons, and case studies from other cities to guide your own rollout.
If you’re evaluating vendors, ask them how their systems compare to those used in large-scale deployments. If you’re seeking funding, point to this 16-million milestone as proof that your investment has precedent and support.
The takeaway here is simple: connected streetlights are not a theory. They’re being used worldwide. The sooner you start, the sooner your community can reap the same benefits.
3. Smart streetlights reduce maintenance costs by up to 50%.
One of the silent killers in municipal budgets is streetlight maintenance.
Crews are dispatched to check bulbs, fix outages, and replace components—often without knowing what’s broken until they get there. It’s inefficient and expensive.
Connected streetlights change that completely. These lights monitor their own health. They can detect if a bulb is dimming, if a connection is lost, or if there’s an electrical issue.
And they report it immediately to a centralized dashboard.
That means you don’t need to send crews out to inspect hundreds of lights. You send them only when and where there’s a problem. You can also predict failures and schedule preventive maintenance, which is cheaper than emergency repairs.
For a city with 10,000 lights, this can cut maintenance costs in half.
Think about what that could mean for your city’s budget. Fewer truck rolls. Less labor. Faster repairs. Happier residents.
To act on this, start by talking with vendors who offer fault detection and diagnostics. Look for platforms that integrate with mobile work order systems, so crews can get instant updates. And track your repair logs before and after implementation to measure the impact.
4. LED retrofitting combined with connectivity leads to 60–70% energy savings.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by smart technology. But the best part is you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. If you’ve already upgraded to LED lights, you’re halfway there. Adding connectivity brings you to the next level of efficiency.
Most cities that retrofit their lights with smart controllers see an extra 20–30% in energy savings on top of the LED benefits.
That’s because connected controls enable features like dynamic dimming, scheduling, and motion-triggered lighting.
Let’s say your LEDs already saved 40% of your energy costs. Adding connectivity bumps that up to 60% or more.
Over time, that difference can fund other city improvements—from parks to broadband to emergency services.
Here’s your action plan: conduct a lighting audit to see how many LEDs are already installed. Then determine how many of those are “smart-ready.” Many newer LEDs can be upgraded with plug-and-play nodes that bring connectivity without replacing the whole fixture.
This phased approach lets you spread costs and manage change more smoothly.
You don’t have to go all-in at once. Even connecting a few thousand lights can deliver measurable energy reductions within a year.
5. Cities can save $15–30 per light per year in operational costs with smart lighting.
Every streetlight comes with a cost—not just for power, but also for inspections, repairs, and management.
Connected lighting reduces all those areas, and the numbers are clear: savings range between $15 to $30 per light every year.
Multiply that by thousands of lights, and you’re talking about serious money.
A city with 20,000 lights could save between $300,000 and $600,000 annually. And this doesn’t even include additional benefits like public safety improvements or carbon reductions.
Where does the money go? Reduced technician hours, lower fuel use for service vehicles, fewer emergency repairs, and less downtime. Smart lights are simply cheaper to operate because they’re proactive, not reactive.
To apply this to your own city or project, get a detailed operational cost breakdown for your lighting infrastructure. Then compare it to smart lighting estimates from vendors or case studies.
This gives you a clear return on investment. Most cities find that the savings offset the installation cost within 5–7 years.
Also, don’t forget to track performance over time. The more data you gather, the more funding you can secure for further expansion.
6. Global market value for connected streetlights is projected to exceed $10 billion by 2027.
The connected streetlight industry is booming. By 2027, it’s expected to cross the $10 billion mark globally.
That’s not just a sign of growth—it’s a wake-up call for cities and businesses that are still on the fence.
This projection shows strong investor confidence and increasing demand from governments around the world. But it also reflects how much money cities are willing to spend on smarter infrastructure that delivers long-term savings and public value.
So what does this mean for you? If you’re a city manager, now is the time to act while federal, state, and private grants are widely available.
The financial ecosystem around smart infrastructure is becoming more mature, and that means more funding options, more competition among vendors, and better technology at lower prices.
You can take advantage of this trend by preparing a long-term lighting strategy.
Don’t just think about lights—think about the data those lights can collect. Air quality, traffic flow, pedestrian activity, and even public announcements can all be delivered or tracked through connected streetlight platforms.
Stake your claim now while the market is surging.
Early adopters often get better deals and more flexibility, while late movers may face supply shortages or longer implementation timelines as demand grows.
7. In Los Angeles, connected streetlights have led to an energy savings of 63%.
Los Angeles is one of the most well-known examples of a successful smart lighting rollout.
After converting over 215,000 streetlights to LED and adding smart controls, the city reported energy savings of 63%. That’s millions of dollars saved every year.
But beyond the impressive number, there’s a deeper lesson: LA approached this like a long-term investment. They didn’t just flip a switch—they created a strategy.
They started with retrofits, then layered on smart controls, and kept measuring performance every step of the way.
For your city or project, LA’s success can be a blueprint. Start with clear goals—whether it’s reducing energy, improving maintenance, or enabling smart city features. Then find partners with proven experience.
Don’t rush. LA took years to get to full deployment, but the results speak volumes.
You can also learn from their stakeholder engagement. They worked with utilities, local communities, and law enforcement to make sure the lighting worked for everyone. Think of lighting as more than just brightness—think of it as infrastructure that supports public needs.
And most importantly, track your savings. Show your city council or board how each phase performs. When you can prove success with data, it becomes much easier to expand and innovate.
8. Installation of connected streetlights can reduce carbon emissions by over 1,200 lbs per light annually.
Here’s a stat with real environmental weight. Each connected streetlight can cut down more than 1,200 pounds of CO₂ emissions per year. Multiply that by thousands of lights, and you’re looking at a huge reduction in your city’s carbon footprint.
Energy use and emissions are directly linked. Traditional streetlights often burn power around the clock—even when no one’s around.
Smart lights only use what’s needed, when it’s needed. That efficiency adds up fast.
For cities trying to meet climate targets or sustainability commitments, this is a powerful metric to include in your strategy. Connected lighting isn’t just a cost-saving tool—it’s an environmental solution.
To take action, calculate the current carbon output from your existing lighting system. Most utilities can help with this. Then model how a smart lighting system would reduce it.
This kind of data is critical when applying for sustainability grants or green infrastructure funds.
Also consider public messaging. Residents are more likely to support lighting upgrades when they understand the environmental impact. Share carbon reduction goals alongside cost savings—it helps build trust and momentum.
9. Smart lighting can detect and report outages with over 95% accuracy.
Traditional lighting systems rely on residents calling in outages—or on staff driving around at night checking for dark spots. It’s inefficient and prone to delays. But smart lighting changes the game completely.
Connected lights can detect when something goes wrong—whether it’s a bulb failure, electrical issue, or even tampering—and send that data straight to a control center.
The accuracy? Over 95%. That means fewer missed reports and faster fixes.
This stat is important because it directly affects public satisfaction. When lights go out, residents notice. It impacts safety, especially in busy areas or high-crime zones. Being able to respond quickly shows your city is responsive and capable.
So how can you act on this? Choose a lighting platform with built-in fault detection.
Make sure the software includes real-time alerts and automated reporting tools. You should be able to sort issues by severity and location to prioritize repairs.
You can also integrate these alerts with your city’s maintenance or 311 systems. That way, staff can close work orders faster and track response times. Over time, this improves efficiency, reduces complaints, and keeps your streets safer.
10. The average payback period for a connected streetlight system is 4–7 years.
For any infrastructure investment, return on investment is key. And with connected streetlights, the ROI is solid. Most systems pay for themselves in 4 to 7 years—sometimes even faster depending on energy prices and local labor costs.
That’s because savings come from multiple directions: lower energy bills, reduced maintenance costs, fewer truck rolls, and extended light lifespans.
When you add it all up, the initial cost of hardware and installation gets recouped faster than many expect.
For cities concerned about budget, this stat should give some peace of mind. You’re not spending endlessly—you’re making an investment that pays you back year after year.
To build your own payback model, start by gathering your current lighting costs. Include electricity, maintenance, repairs, and parts. Then compare that to projected costs after smart upgrades.
Vendors usually offer these models during the proposal phase, so don’t hesitate to ask.
Also consider financing options. Many companies offer performance contracts where savings cover installation costs. Grants and low-interest loans from energy agencies can further speed up your ROI.
Bottom line: connected streetlights are not a gamble. They’re a proven investment with a clear financial return.
11. Amsterdam reduced streetlight energy consumption by 65% after deploying smart controls.
Amsterdam is another standout example of how smart lighting can make a real difference. After deploying smart controls across large parts of the city, Amsterdam reported a 65% drop in streetlight energy consumption.
That’s a huge achievement for any city.
What made this possible wasn’t just the switch to LED—it was the way those lights were managed. Smart controls allowed the city to dim lights during low-traffic hours, respond to weather conditions, and even adjust brightness based on public events.
Amsterdam took a layered approach. They didn’t just retrofit lights—they added intelligence. They also worked with local stakeholders to make sure lighting levels were right for safety, community use, and energy savings.
It wasn’t a one-size-fits-all rollout. It was tailored and thoughtful.
If your city is considering a smart lighting project, Amsterdam’s approach offers some valuable lessons. Start with a detailed energy audit. Don’t just replace lights—plan how you’ll manage them.
What dimming schedule makes sense? Where is 24/7 lighting necessary, and where can you be flexible?
Work with your local power provider to ensure metering is accurate and reflects the lower usage. Some cities still pay flat fees for lighting, which hides the savings. If you’re saving 65% like Amsterdam, make sure your billing model reflects it.
That’s where the real return lies—not just in using less energy, but in making sure your city sees every dollar of that reduction.
12. Over 80% of municipal lighting budgets are spent on electricity without smart controls.
This is a stat that surprises a lot of people: when cities don’t use smart controls, more than 80% of their lighting budgets go toward electricity alone. That leaves little room for upgrades, repairs, or innovation.
Electricity bills balloon because traditional lights run at full brightness all night, regardless of traffic or activity.
They don’t dim, they don’t shut off when no one’s around, and they certainly don’t optimize usage.
When you switch to connected lighting, this balance shifts. You move from reactive spending—paying high energy bills month after month—to proactive investment in technology that helps you save long term.
Here’s what you can do right now: analyze your city’s lighting budget.
Break down how much goes to energy, maintenance, and administration. If over 80% is going to electricity, that’s a red flag. It means there’s major room for improvement.
Then, compare your current setup to a smart system. Look at expected energy reductions, and recalculate the budget with those savings in mind.
You may find that with smart controls, you can cut your electricity spend in half—or more—and redirect those funds to other needs.
It’s not just about light—it’s about financial flexibility. The less you spend on waste, the more you can invest in community needs.
13. Maintenance truck rolls can be reduced by up to 60% using remote diagnostics.
Sending out maintenance crews to inspect or repair streetlights is time-consuming and costly. Each trip takes labor, fuel, scheduling, and coordination. And when the crew gets there and the light is working fine—or the issue is misdiagnosed—that’s money down the drain.
Smart lighting solves this with remote diagnostics. Each connected light can send real-time updates about its health and status.
That means no more guessing. You know exactly which light needs attention, what’s wrong with it, and how urgent the fix is.
This reduces unnecessary truck rolls by up to 60%. Crews are only sent when and where they’re truly needed. That leads to better service, lower costs, and fewer carbon emissions from service vehicles.
Here’s how to take action: prioritize vendors with strong remote monitoring capabilities. Look for features like fault alerts, component-level diagnostics, and integration with mobile dispatch systems.
The system should be user-friendly so technicians can access real-time data on the go.
You can also use this data to streamline staffing. With fewer truck rolls, you may be able to reallocate maintenance teams to other critical infrastructure tasks. Over time, this increases your city’s operational flexibility without needing to grow your workforce.
Efficiency isn’t just about energy—it’s about people and processes, too. Remote diagnostics give you the data to make smarter, faster, and more affordable decisions.
14. Connected streetlights can reduce street crime by up to 10–15% due to better lighting patterns.
Good lighting doesn’t just help you see—it helps keep people safe. Studies show that connected streetlights, when deployed with thoughtful lighting patterns, can reduce street crime by 10 to 15%.
That’s a big difference for neighborhoods, parks, and commercial areas.
Traditional lights may be too dim, too bright, or inconsistently placed. Smart lighting gives you full control.
You can adjust brightness based on time of night, increase illumination in high-risk areas, and sync lighting with surveillance or motion sensors.
The result? Fewer dark corners, better visibility, and a stronger sense of security.
If you’re looking to improve public safety without increasing police budgets, smart lighting is a strong solution. Start by working with law enforcement and community groups to identify areas with frequent incidents. Then use connected lights to respond to those needs.
Lights can be programmed to brighten in response to activity, such as foot traffic or cars passing by. In some cities, police have access to lighting controls for emergency situations.
That kind of coordination is key for modern urban safety.
Also, communicate with residents. Let them know what changes are being made and why. When people feel safer walking home, waiting for a bus, or visiting a local park at night, it boosts quality of life in very real ways.
Lighting isn’t just utility—it’s a public safety tool. Use it wisely.
15. Approximately 70% of new streetlights installed globally are connected-enabled.
The future is already here. Today, around 70% of new streetlight installations come with built-in connectivity. That means cities across the world are no longer seeing smart lighting as optional—it’s becoming the default.
This trend is important because it reflects a mindset shift. Lighting isn’t just about visibility anymore—it’s about data, control, and integration.
Cities want infrastructure that grows with them, not technology that becomes outdated in five years.
If you’re still installing traditional lights, it’s time to pause and reconsider. Even if you’re not ready to activate the connected features today, it’s smart to future-proof your investment by choosing connected-capable hardware.
That way, when funding, staffing, or tech upgrades come along, you’re ready.
You won’t need to replace poles or fixtures again—you can simply turn on the features you already have in place.
Talk to your vendors about “smart-ready” lighting. Many systems support modular add-ons, which means you can install lighting controls later without replacing the entire fixture. This gives you flexibility without locking you into a timeline.
This stat shows that the global tide is turning. If most cities are making the switch, it’s not just a trend—it’s the new standard. Stay ahead of it.
16. Barcelona’s smart streetlights help save over $37 million annually.
Barcelona is a leader in smart city innovation, and their streetlighting program is a key reason why.
By combining LED retrofits with smart controls and integrating them into a broader city platform, the city now saves more than $37 million every year. That’s not a rounding error—that’s a game-changer for any municipal budget.
So how did they do it? Barcelona approached lighting as a foundation for their entire smart city vision. They used connected streetlights not only to save energy but also to collect data on foot traffic, air quality, and noise levels.
This helped them optimize services citywide, from waste collection to emergency response.
But the real secret is in their coordination. They worked across departments—from transportation to environment to IT—so that everyone benefited from the lighting network.
This shared ownership increased buy-in, reduced redundancy, and created a powerful case for investment.
You can follow a similar path. Start by building a cross-functional team. Include finance, engineering, public works, and IT. Treat lighting as a platform, not a standalone system. Look at how the data from connected lights can help other departments improve performance.
Also, benchmark your current spending. Knowing how much you could save with a Barcelona-style model can help unlock funding. Use their $37 million as a goalpost—and don’t be afraid to dream big.
Smart lighting isn’t just about light. It’s about building a smarter, more efficient, and more livable city.
17. Adaptive dimming based on pedestrian or vehicle presence can save an additional 30% energy.
Imagine a streetlight that brightens as a car approaches, then dims back down when the road is empty. Or one that lights up when someone walks by, then powers down when the sidewalk clears.
That’s adaptive dimming—and it can save you an extra 30% in energy on top of standard smart lighting savings.
This is possible through motion sensors, radar, or even AI-based cameras that detect movement.
Lights respond only when needed, which drastically reduces unnecessary power use. And since this happens in real time, the system constantly adjusts to the actual conditions on the street.
If your city already has smart lights, adding adaptive dimming is the next logical step. Look for hardware that supports sensor integration or software platforms with adaptive controls.
Many lights can be retrofitted with sensors that communicate with each other in a mesh network.
To act on this, start by identifying areas with fluctuating traffic—residential zones, bike paths, or industrial parks. These are perfect candidates for adaptive dimming because they’re not busy all night. The more targeted the lighting, the bigger the savings.
Also, measure user response. In some cases, people are concerned that dimming might reduce safety. That’s why gradual transitions and pilot programs are key. Show the community how the system works.
Let them see the lights brighten as they walk by. Once people experience it, resistance usually fades.
Efficiency doesn’t mean darkness—it means using light wisely. Adaptive dimming makes that possible.
18. Over 50 countries have launched national or city-level smart lighting initiatives.
Smart lighting isn’t just popular—it’s policy. More than 50 countries have now launched citywide or national smart lighting initiatives.
This global momentum is important because it signals strong government support and a growing international consensus that smart lighting is essential infrastructure.
These initiatives vary. Some are national programs that help cities access funding and standards. Others are city-level projects that start in one district and expand as results come in.
Either way, the trend is clear: governments are backing smart lighting with real resources.
So what does this mean for you? First, it means you’re not alone. Whether you’re in a large city or a small town, there’s likely a regional or national framework you can tap into.
This might include grants, technical assistance, or partnerships with energy agencies.
Second, these programs often come with best practices. That includes procurement templates, vendor lists, performance metrics, and evaluation tools. Don’t reinvent the wheel—learn from others who’ve already done it.
Start by researching whether your country has a smart infrastructure roadmap. If it does, connect with the relevant agencies.
If not, look for international support through organizations like the World Bank, UN Habitat, or smart city networks.
Smart lighting is becoming standard policy around the world. If your city isn’t moving yet, now is the time to get on board.
19. A citywide rollout in San Diego included over 14,000 smart streetlights.
San Diego didn’t just test smart lighting—they went all in. Their citywide deployment included more than 14,000 connected streetlights, making it one of the largest rollouts in North America.
This wasn’t just about saving money—it was about laying the groundwork for a smarter city.
The city used a combination of LED upgrades, smart controllers, and advanced sensors.
These lights weren’t just responsive—they were also data collectors. San Diego used them to monitor pedestrian patterns, support public safety, and even plan traffic improvements.
If you’re planning a citywide deployment, San Diego offers a powerful example. First, notice the scale. Starting with thousands of lights allows you to achieve significant energy and operational savings quickly.
It also justifies the investment in back-end systems and staff training.
Second, look at the integrated approach. San Diego treated lighting as a multi-use asset.
The same pole that lights a street can also host air quality sensors, cameras, or EV charging indicators. This layered value helped secure funding and stakeholder support.
To replicate this, plan your deployment in phases. Start with a dense area where results will be visible and measurable. Use that as a showcase to build support for expansion.
And make sure your software can scale with you—because once your city sees the benefits, you’ll want to grow fast.
San Diego proved that bold moves get big results. You can do the same.
20. Connected lighting can enable smart city applications like air quality monitoring with over 20 sensor types supported.
Smart lights are more than just light sources—they’re also smart city platforms. Many connected lighting systems support over 20 different sensor types, enabling a wide range of applications beyond lighting.
From air quality to noise monitoring, from traffic detection to weather sensing, these poles can become digital multitools for your city.
This versatility is what makes smart lighting such a powerful investment. You install it for the lighting benefits—but you gain the infrastructure for so much more.
Here’s how you can act on this: during your procurement process, ask vendors about sensor integration. Can their platform support third-party sensors? How easy is it to upgrade or expand?
Can the lighting network share data with your city’s central dashboard?
Start with sensors that match your city’s most pressing needs. For some, that’s air pollution. For others, it might be noise complaints, traffic flow, or even flood detection.
The beauty of connected lighting is that once the power and communications are in place, adding sensors becomes quick and cost-effective.
Also think long term. You may not need 20 sensors today—but having the option to add them down the road future-proofs your investment. As your city evolves, your lighting infrastructure evolves with it.
A streetlight that saves money and tracks public health? That’s the kind of multi-functionality modern cities need.
21. Streetlight energy use typically represents 30–50% of a city’s total electricity bill.
This is a big one. In most cities, streetlights account for between 30% and 50% of the entire municipal electricity bill.
That means one single system—just lighting—eats up nearly half of the power budget. Think about that for a second.
Now imagine being able to cut that chunk in half or more. That’s the power of connected lighting. Cities that make the switch aren’t just improving infrastructure—they’re reclaiming control over one of their biggest utility expenses.
If you’re managing a city budget, this should immediately get your attention.
opportunity to reduce such a large expense, year after year, is rare. Connected lighting is one of those few tools that offers both short-term impact and long-term sustainability.
Start by getting a clear picture of your lighting’s share of total power usage. Your utility provider can break this down for you, or you can estimate it by multiplying wattage by operating hours.
Then model what your bill would look like after a 50–70% reduction in lighting costs.
That savings doesn’t just disappear—it can be redirected to areas that need it more, like education, housing, or emergency services.
If half your electricity bill comes from streetlights, why wouldn’t you make those lights as efficient as possible?
22. The global CAGR for connected streetlights is projected at 18–22% through 2030.
A compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18–22% isn’t just good—it’s explosive. That’s how fast the connected streetlight market is expected to grow through the end of the decade.
In real terms, this means adoption is speeding up, innovation is accelerating, and prices are becoming more competitive.
Why does this matter for cities and utilities? Because being early gives you an edge.
When a market grows this quickly, the best deals, the most flexible vendors, and the most robust platforms are usually available to those who act before everyone else joins the rush.
This is especially true for grants and financing. Energy agencies, climate funds, and infrastructure lenders are actively backing projects in this space. But as demand rises, competition for that funding will increase.
Use this stat to guide your planning timeline. If you wait three or four more years, you might find yourself paying more, waiting longer for installation, or settling for technology that doesn’t quite fit your city’s needs.
Get ahead of the curve. The market’s growth is a green light—take it.
23. Europe leads in adoption with over 6 million units deployed.
Europe has taken the lead in smart streetlight adoption, with over 6 million connected lights installed.
Countries like the UK, Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands have embraced this technology, not just for savings, but as a way to meet aggressive climate and urbanization goals.
What makes Europe’s approach worth watching is how integrated it is. Many of these installations are part of broader smart city plans that include mobility, public health, and digital infrastructure.
Lighting is the starting point, not the finish line.
For North American, Asian, and emerging market cities, this European momentum offers both inspiration and a valuable playbook. Look at how cities like Copenhagen or Barcelona approached stakeholder engagement.
Study how they integrated sensors, mobility tools, or even 5G into their lighting systems.
If you’re in procurement or city planning, use European case studies to convince decision-makers. Show them that this isn’t just an idea—it’s a global standard already in use.
And since many European vendors are entering new markets, you may be able to source proven tech at competitive prices.
Europe has already shown what works. Now it’s your turn to adopt and adapt.
24. India plans to replace over 35 million conventional streetlights with LED-connected alternatives.
India is undergoing one of the most ambitious lighting transformations in the world. The government’s plan to replace over 35 million conventional streetlights with energy-efficient, connected alternatives is not just bold—it’s transformative.
Why is this important for you? Because it shows what’s possible even at massive scale. India’s program, led by its Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), uses a public-private model where savings fund the installation.
It’s a textbook example of how to make connected lighting viable even in budget-sensitive regions.
It also proves that smart lighting isn’t just for wealthy cities. With the right model, even smaller municipalities or towns in developing countries can leapfrog outdated infrastructure and go straight to smart systems.
If you’re operating in a resource-constrained environment, study the Indian model closely.
You’ll see how bulk procurement, standardized contracts, and shared service models keep costs down and speed up adoption.
India’s plan is creating a ripple effect—lower prices, better manufacturing capabilities, and scalable service frameworks that other countries can now take advantage of.
No matter where you are in the world, the Indian initiative shows that scale and smart technology can go hand in hand.
25. Over 95% of connected streetlights now use LED technology.
Here’s a clear message from the market: LED is the foundation of smart lighting. Today, more than 95% of connected streetlights rely on LED fixtures. That’s because they’re energy-efficient, long-lasting, and compatible with the control systems that power smart features.
If you’re still using older lighting types—like high-pressure sodium or metal halide—it’s time to make the switch.
Without LEDs, you won’t be able to maximize the benefits of connectivity. Those old lights simply don’t support dimming, remote monitoring, or adaptive lighting.
But the good news is, LED retrofits are now more affordable than ever.
Many fixtures are designed to drop into existing housings, which makes the upgrade fast and relatively painless. And once the LEDs are in place, adding smart controllers becomes much easier.
To get started, conduct a lighting inventory. See how many of your fixtures are LED, and how many are legacy types.
Then plan your transition in phases, starting with the areas that cost the most to maintain or have the highest energy usage.
Vendors often offer bundled deals—LEDs plus controllers—which can speed up your rollout and improve ROI. And since nearly all smart systems assume LED compatibility, future upgrades and integrations become simpler.
LEDs aren’t just a tech upgrade—they’re the foundation for everything smart lighting has to offer.
26. Paris reported €9 million annual savings after a connected streetlight deployment.
When a major city like Paris reports €9 million in annual savings from smart streetlighting, it’s more than a headline—it’s a wake-up call.
That level of return shows just how financially impactful connected lighting can be when implemented at scale.
Paris didn’t just replace old bulbs. They focused on optimization. Smart lighting helped them adjust brightness levels by zone, reduce energy use during off-peak hours, and monitor system performance 24/7. These changes added up to real, recurring savings year after year.
For any city evaluating the cost-benefit side of smart lighting, this stat should be on the front page of your proposal.
Paris is a complex, historic city, and yet they found a way to modernize without compromising aesthetics, safety, or service quality.
If you want to replicate this kind of impact, start by identifying your highest-cost lighting areas. Commercial zones, tourist hubs, and high-traffic corridors often consume more energy and require more frequent maintenance. These are ideal targets for smart upgrades.
Also look for ways to build partnerships. Paris worked with vendors, energy companies, and city planners to create a unified plan. That helped them avoid overlap, streamline procurement, and maximize results.
Whether your city is big or small, there’s a simple truth here: smart lighting saves real money. Paris proved it. You can too.
27. Connectivity protocols like LoRaWAN and NB-IoT power over 75% of new deployments.
When you think about smart lighting, don’t just think about the light fixture—think about how it talks to the system. Over 75% of new connected streetlights use low-power, long-range communication technologies like LoRaWAN and NB-IoT.
These protocols are the invisible threads tying everything together.
Why does this matter? Because the success of your lighting network depends on reliable, secure, and scalable connectivity.
These protocols are purpose-built for smart city use. They handle small data packets efficiently, work over long distances, and don’t need much power to operate.
When planning a deployment, ask your vendor what communication protocol they use. Not all systems are created equal. Some use proprietary tech that can be expensive to maintain or hard to expand.
Others use open standards like LoRaWAN or NB-IoT, which make integration with other systems much easier.
Also, consider who manages the network. Will your city run it? Will the vendor? Is it part of a broader smart city platform? These decisions impact cost, performance, and future flexibility.
If you’re expanding into other smart city services—like waste sensors, traffic counters, or environmental monitoring—choosing the right protocol now means your infrastructure can support everything later.
Think of connectivity as the nervous system of your smart lighting. Get it right, and everything else runs smoother.
28. Motion-activated streetlights reduce energy use during low traffic periods by 50–60%.
Smart lighting gets even smarter with motion activation. By adding motion sensors to your lights, you can reduce energy use by 50–60% during periods of low traffic.
That’s huge—especially in residential or low-activity areas where lights don’t need to be on full brightness all night long.
These systems work by detecting movement—cars, cyclists, or pedestrians—and adjusting brightness accordingly. Lights ramp up as someone approaches and dim back down after they pass. It’s seamless, automatic, and remarkably effective.
This kind of lighting is perfect for parks, pathways, service roads, and suburban neighborhoods. It delivers light when needed but conserves energy the rest of the time.
To make it work, focus on sensor placement and calibration.
You’ll want to ensure the system responds quickly enough to feel safe but not so sensitive that it triggers constantly. Test the settings during a pilot phase and adjust based on real feedback.
You’ll also want to educate the public. Let people know why the lights dim and how the system works. Some residents may be unsure at first, but most appreciate the environmental and cost benefits once they understand the technology.
Adding motion-activated features takes your smart lighting from “efficient” to “intelligent.” It’s one of the fastest ways to boost savings without reducing service.
29. Integration with city dashboards allows real-time data analytics on 100% of connected lights.
Data is power—but only if you can see it. When your connected streetlights integrate with your city’s dashboard or management platform, you gain real-time visibility into every single light in your system. That’s 100% coverage, 24/7.
This kind of transparency unlocks serious operational advantages. You can monitor energy usage per zone, identify outages instantly, and analyze lighting patterns across neighborhoods.
You can even track performance by time of day or season.
Most modern smart lighting platforms offer APIs or integrations with city management software. Some use cloud-based dashboards that city staff can access from anywhere.
This real-time data helps you make faster, better decisions—and it creates a full audit trail for compliance and reporting.
For example, if a resident calls to report a light issue, your team can check the dashboard before rolling a truck. If energy use spikes unexpectedly in a zone, you can catch it before the next bill.
To get started, ask your vendor about platform integration. Does their system support open standards? Can it work with your existing infrastructure? And most importantly—can it scale?
You’re not just installing lights. You’re building an intelligent network. Make sure the data is accessible, actionable, and useful.
30. Smart streetlights are estimated to contribute to a 30–50% reduction in streetlight-related greenhouse gas emissions.
Finally, let’s end with what may be the most important stat of all: connected streetlights can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30–50%. That’s not just an energy story—it’s an environmental one.
Street lighting is a major contributor to municipal carbon footprints.
Traditional fixtures waste energy, run longer than needed, and often rely on fossil-fuel-based electricity. By making lights smarter and more efficient, cities can drastically cut their emissions.
This reduction supports climate goals, helps meet sustainability commitments, and contributes to cleaner air and healthier communities.
If your city has a climate action plan—or even just a general goal to be more sustainable—smart lighting should be a top priority. It offers measurable results with clear data.
You can show exactly how many tons of CO₂ your system avoids each year, and report those figures to the public or funding agencies.
To maximize this impact, pair your lighting upgrades with renewable energy sources. For example, some cities power smart lights with solar panels or use green energy credits to further reduce their footprint.
Every light you connect isn’t just saving money—it’s also protecting the planet. That’s a win-win worth investing in.
wrapping it up
Connected streetlights are one of the most practical, high-impact smart city upgrades available today. They save energy, reduce costs, improve safety, and support environmental goals—all while laying the groundwork for a smarter, more responsive city.
