Performance and Feasibility Analysis of Solar Street Lighting Replacement at Gurney Wharf, Penang

Source abstract

This study evaluates the technical performance and economic feasibility of replacing conventional 180 W grid-powered LED street lighting with 120 W integrated solar-powered street lighting at Gurney Wharf, Penang, Malaysia. Lighting performance was assessed using DIALux Evo simulations across six roadway zones, considering key parameters including average luminance, overall uniformity, longitudinal uniformity, threshold increment, and edge illuminance ratio in accordance with Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) and CIE standards. The results show that the proposed solar lighting system satisfies all M2 road lighting requirements while reducing luminaire power consumption by approximately 33% per unit. From an economic perspective, the replacement of 670 streetlights eliminates an estimated 528228 kWh of annual electricity consumption, resulting in net annual cost savings of approximately RM 131109.55 after maintenance. With an initial investment of RM 2.345 million, the system achieves an estimated return on investment (ROI) of 5.59% and a payback period of approximately 18 years. The findings demonstrate that solar-powered street lighting is a technically viable and economically sustainable solution for large-scale coastal urban infrastructure, supporting Malaysia National Energy Transition Roadmap and long-term environmental objectives.