Tree Lights Go Solar GO Solar Company has been working with the City of Santa Monica to design, and install various different types of solar energy and lighting systems capable of illuminating Palm trees and Ficus trees within the downtown district at night. The challenging aspects of the project, include, the varying sizes and types of trees, providing power to shaded areas, and keeping within the budget while utilizing the best components available. The positive benefits for the city include, beautifying and lighting the downtown area at night with the added benefit of allowing pedestrians to feel more secure. Other positive aspects include no underground conduit construction, no street closures during installation, and no electric bills for the lighting. Solar Lighting Palms The palm trees on Wilshire Blvd. are illuminated with safe-efficient low voltage outdoor-architectural lights. Low voltage wires are connected to each tree to supply the power from the solar energy systems. The electricity needed to illuminate the trees is generated by solar panels mounted on existing light poles. The power is generated in the daytime and stored in deep cycle maintenance free batteries. The batteries are sized to store enough extra power to allow operation of the lights during prolonged cloudy weather. Solar charge controller's are integrated into the systems to keep the batteries from overcharging as well as regulating the number of hours the lights are illuminated at night. Solar Lighting Ficus Trees The city of Santa Monica expressed a desire to experiment with different methods of illuminating the large ficus trees, in order to establish the most desirable effect. Some of the various lighting patterns include fixtures that produce a spot light, flood light, wash light and even 12 volt Christmas mini lights. The experimentation also included varying the solar equipment design and methods of attaching and securing panels and batteries. The solar panels, controls and battery containers have been installed on existing street light poles as well as within the trees. Tree Mounted Systems The experiment with solar equipment mounted directly within the ficus trees proved to be challenging and labor intensive. The goal was to provide power within the trees with a wireless system. Once the desired lighting effect was established it was necessary to find a solution to provide a continuous lighting effect throughout the downtown areas trees including trees not in close proximity to a street light pole. Structural Engineering Seismic Engineering Street Pole Mounted systems Solar energy equipment secured to existing street light poles. These custom systems were designed, engineered, manufactured and installed specifically for this individual application. All components, including batteries, battery enclosures, panels, and racks have stainless steel safety cables attached to eliminate the possibility of falling objects. GO Solar Company Mailing Address: 145 S. Glenoaks Blvd. #435 Burbank, CA 91502 818-566-6870 State of California - Contractor License Number - C46 Solar 685319