Case Study: Lakes Entrance Foreshore Pathway Solar Lighting Pilot
Background
Regional Roads Victoria engaged Green Frog Systems to investigate a reliable solar lighting solution for a 2.4 km foreshore pathway in Lakes Entrance.
The project required long-life luminaires (15-year minimum), remote control capability, and lower whole-of-life costs. Within the East Gippsland Shire Council, the site presented challenging coastal conditions where mains power was both impractical and environmentally disruptive. Council also sought to demonstrate modern, technology-led infrastructure.
Project Overview
A pilot installation was proposed to validate performance, durability, and control capability in a coastal foreshore environment before wider deployment.
Challenges
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Exposure to harsh coastal conditions.
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Requirement for remote, centralised lighting control.
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Avoiding trenching and environmental disturbance along the foreshore.
Solution
Under a pilot program, nine ASPIRE solar street lighting systems were installed along a 400 m section of the foreshore path. Each unit was equipped with SAM (Solar Activity Monitoring) connectivity.
Key features included:
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High-efficiency ASPIRE solar luminaires designed for long service life.
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Web-based central control via SAM, enabling individual or group operation.
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Architectural design that blended into the coastal landscape without visual intrusion.
The system allows council to manage lighting dynamically, including switching lights off for events such as New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Products Used
Results
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Reliable solar lighting performance in a coastal environment.
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Centralised control with flexibility to manage lighting behaviour remotely.
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Straightforward installation with positive feedback from installers.
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A successful pilot program currently underway to inform future rollout.
Conclusion
The Lakes Entrance foreshore pilot demonstrates how solar lighting can deliver durable, controllable, and environmentally sensitive infrastructure in coastal settings. The ASPIRE and SAM combination provided a practical, future-ready solution aligned with council objectives and site constraints.
