Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT South Australia)
Partners
PW2PA Alliance (CPB Contractors, Aurecon & GHD) and Electel
Engineering
Lighting design, system specification and compliance to AS1158.1.1 Category V5
Photography
Drone Vision Adelaide
Completed
2025
Background
The Augusta Highway forms part of the National Land Transport Network, providing a critical connection between Port Wakefield and Port Augusta. Managed by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT), the $260 million duplication project — delivered by the PW2PA Alliance — aims to improve safety and capacity along this key freight and passenger route.
A major component of the works included the upgrade of the Nantawarra Road intersection, where improved visibility and compliance with Category V5 standards were required for night-time operation.
Project Overview
To meet DIT’s lighting standards, Green Frog Systems supplied a solar-powered solution capable of delivering the same illumination levels as a conventional grid-powered installation — without the need for expensive trenching or power infrastructure. The project deployed 17 ASPIRE 675 75W solar lighting systems, engineered for reliable performance in highway conditions.
Solution
A full lighting design and compliance review was carried out in accordance with AS1158.1.1 Category V5.
Green Frog Systems engineered the solar and battery configuration to maintain consistent light output throughout the night, with multiple nights of autonomy to accommodate extended low-sunlight periods.
Key components included:
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System design: 17 off-grid solar lighting systems using 75 W LED luminaires.
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Performance assurance: Engineered to maintain Category V5 illumination with zero grid dependency.
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Installation: Delivered as part of the PW2PA Alliance highway upgrade with minimal civil disturbance.
Products Used
17 × ASPIRE 675 / 75W Solar Lighting Systems
Considerations and Challenges
The main challenge was the high cost of connecting mains power to the site. This created a strong case for solar lighting as a cost-effective, independent alternative.
An additional challenge was demonstrating that solar systems could deliver consistent, compliant lighting performance on a critical transport corridor. The design and verification process addressed these concerns, ensuring all fixtures met the required illumination levels and autonomy targets.
Results
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Achieved AS1158.1.1 Category V5 compliance for intersection lighting.
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Eliminated grid connection costs, avoiding extensive trenching and cabling.
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Delivered consistent illumination and reliability equivalent to mains-powered systems.
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Demonstrated the capability of solar lighting for major transport infrastructure applications.
Testimonial
“This project proves that solar lighting can perform to highway standards even on critical corridors.”
— Mick Reidy, Green Frog Systems
Conclusion
The Nantawarra Road intersection upgrade demonstrates the growing viability of solar lighting for large-scale transport infrastructure. Through careful design, testing, and collaboration between DIT, PW2PA Alliance, and Green Frog Systems, the project achieved full Category V5 compliance with zero grid dependency — reducing both installation cost and environmental impact while improving highway safety.
