Case Study: Whittaker Grove Residential Solar Lighting
Background
West Sussex County Council is committed to developing a secure, affordable, and sustainable energy supply, with a strong focus on increasing the use of renewable energy across its land and buildings. This approach supports the authority’s ambition to reduce energy costs and progress towards net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
Located in North Bersted, Whittaker Grove is a new residential development of predominantly semi-detached family homes, delivered to a high finish and set within an established, high-quality neighbourhood. Lighting needed to complement the development’s appearance while supporting safety and usability after dark.
Project Overview
Linden Homes engaged COLAS UK to identify a sustainable, solar-powered public lighting solution suitable for the UK climate. The brief required a system that balanced performance, reliability, and visual appeal, while aligning with local authority sustainability objectives.
Challenges
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Delivering reliable solar lighting performance in UK weather conditions.
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Achieving high uniformity illumination without compromising residential aesthetics.
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Managing glare and light spill near dwellings to protect resident amenity.
Solution
A total of 35 Defender solar luminaires were installed throughout the development at a 6-metre mounting height.
Key elements of the solution included:
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Defender luminaires designed specifically for the UK market, featuring large-capacity batteries with advanced cell technology and high-area solar panels.
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4000 K colour temperature selected to support a sense of safety and enable clear facial recognition.
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PIR-based proximity activation, set to a 30-second response, combined with through-the-night operation and programmed dimming to optimise energy use.
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Adjustable LED arrays allowing asymmetric light distribution, reducing glare and directing light away from nearby windows where required.
The result was a lighting system that delivered illumination precisely where and when needed, without visual intrusion.
Products Used
Delivery & Implementation
The luminaires were installed across the Whittaker Grove estate with careful consideration of pole placement and optical adjustment near residential properties. Configuration was completed to balance safety, comfort, and energy efficiency.
The Defender’s clean, modern design enabled the lighting to blend discreetly into the streetscape, maintaining the architectural intent of the development.
Results
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Reliable solar lighting performance suited to a UK residential environment.
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Improved night-time visibility and pedestrian safety throughout the estate.
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Controlled glare and reduced light spill near homes.
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Positive feedback from residents and the local Parish Council regarding both performance and appearance.
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A lighting solution aligned with council sustainability objectives and reduced operational energy demand.
Conclusion
The Whittaker Grove project demonstrates how well-designed solar lighting can meet the technical, aesthetic, and sustainability requirements of modern residential developments. Through the use of Defender solar luminaires and careful optical configuration, the project delivered a discreet, energy-efficient lighting solution that supports safety and complements the surrounding neighbourhood.
Special thanks to Acrospire for sharing this great project.
