Illuminate your site this winter

Temporary lighting has been a necessity for any operation to take place once the sun sets. Without the appropriate light levels, your site can easily be in the darkness once it turns dusk.

The Lighting industry switching to sustainable solutions

Historically, lighting has been expensive to operate over long periods and has contributed to CO2 emissions. Market and community demands have increased the need to minimise noise levels, especially in rural areas where nighttime noise pollution is minimal.

Today, lighting technology has evolved to be far more efficient, featuring a significantly reduced carbon footprint and an extensive range of products. From portable lighting options such as Plasterers Lights to Slam Lights designed for hazardous environments, and even Tower Lights, there is a solution tailored for every site.

With the advancements in research and development, we have decreased our reliance on burning high quantities of fossil fuels like petrol or diesel for prolonged power. Instead, there has been significant investment in more sustainable lighting solutions.

Eco-friendly lighting solutions

Lighting is an excellent area to explore if you're looking to make a significant impact on your carbon footprint. The market is increasingly shifting towards sustainability, with a growing range of eco-friendly lighting options available. These innovative solutions are designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by as much as 72% compared to traditional metal halide units.

We are also witnessing the emergence of hybrid lighting options that use diesel or HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil) power, complemented by solar integrations. This combination allows you to use the sun's natural energy, generating a substantial portion of your power throughout the day and providing up to 860 hours of illumination from a single tank of fuel.

Historically, there has been some skepticism about the effectiveness of solar powered lighting, especially given the limited sunlight during the UK's winter months when lighting is most needed. However, the industry has made remarkable advancements in the technology available.

Today, fully solar-powered lights can operate throughout the night at full capacity, without any risk of blackout.

Lighting in the events industry

As a highly necessary component of a site, we see lighting solutions transfer across almost every sector. Despite winter being the most commonly thought of time of year for lighting, we still see a widespread adoption throughout the entire calendar year, particularly in the events sector.

While winter is often associated with festive lighting, its use spans the entire calendar year, particularly in events industry. Take autumn and winter, for instance. Numerous seasonal attractions, such as ice rinks, begin to appear, drawing in tourists. However, without adequate lighting, these venues can quickly become dangerous.

Then as we transition into spring and summer, the need for effective lighting continues, even with longer daylight hours following the clock adjustments. The importance of lighting remains a constant throughout the year, enhancing safety and ambiance at events.

Challenges and solutions

While most people have an inherent understanding of lighting, there are important factors that often go overlooked in the initial planning stages. These oversights can lead to logistical challenges and unexpected costs later on.

1. Costs: The long term costs associated with traditional non-eco lighting products can often be higher than sustainable alternatives. While traditional lighting may initially have a lower hire rate, their long-term costs can be significantly higher due to the high consumption of petrol or diesel fuel. In contrast, a hybrid light can operate for months on just one tank of fuel, resulting in substantial cost savings and often proving to be the more economical choice for extended use.
2. Logistical challenges: The refueling of traditional lights can pose logistical challenges. For larger sites with multiple lights distributed across the area, coordinating and executing regular refueling operations can be both time-consuming and resource-intensive whereas sustainable lighting can be used longer on site.
3. Telematics: The timing mechanism for lights is designed to activate precisely when needed, but it does require regular adjustments due to the changing sunrise and sunset times throughout the year. If your location relies on lighting year-round, you'll need to manually adjust the on/off timing. However, we offer lighting options equipped with telemetry, allowing our team to manage them remotely. This means you can experience a smooth transition into the night without any effort on your part.

So, whether you need one light or one hundred lights, contact our dedicated Sunbelt Rentals lighting team today to discuss your requirements and leave the how to us.