From 2017-2019, the City partnered with KUB and Siemens to transition ownership from KUB to the City and upgrade approximately 29,500 streetlights to high-efficiency LED technology. Before the upgrade, the City spent approximately $4.5 million annually on electricity, operations, and maintenance.

By transferring ownership and replacing outdated high-pressure sodium (HPS) lights to LEDs, the project significantly reduced energy use, operating costs, and maintenance needs, and is on track to achieve a full return on investment in less than 10 years.

Why LED Streetlights? 

• Improved quality of light, visibility, and safety throughout the City
  LEDs provide bright, uniform light that improves visibility and color clarity, making it easier for drivers to spot pedestrians and obstructions in the roadway. The City’s 3000 Kelvin lights emit a warm white color, similar to an incandescent bulb, following guidance from the International Dark Sky Alliance and American Medical Association to minimize impacts on nocturnal wildlife, reduce glare and sky glow, and improve nightscapes. Most of the lights are “full cutoff” fixtures that direct light downward to illuminate the street and reduce gaps in lighting, dangerous glare to drivers, and light directed onto homes and properties.
• Reduce energy use, utility costs, and emissions
  The City's LEDs use 70% less energy than previous bulbs, significantly reducing costs by approximately $2.2 million every year. This upgrade has also led to an 80% reduction in greenhouse gases (MTCO₂e). 
• Reduce maintenance costs
  LEDs have longer lifespans and lower failure rates than HPS lights. These LED fixtures are warrantied for 10 years and guaranteed to maintain at least 70% of their light output for 100,000 hours (about 20 years). As a result, costs associated with ongoing maintenance is significantly reduced.
• Future-Proof Technology
  The City’s LED lights have built-in 7-pin photocells that provide extra “sockets” to enable future innovative technologies.

Project Timeline

January 2017	Summer 2017	April 2018	Summer 2018 - December 2019
Streetlight Retrofit RFP Issued	Design Phase, Pilot Installations, & Stakeholder Engagement	City assumed ownership from KUB	LED fixtures installed on approximately 29,500 streetlights citywide

Energy Consumption	Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions	Cost Savings	Return on Investment
70% Reduction in kWh  (Compared to 2018)	80% Reduction in MTCO2e (Compared to 2015)	$2.2 million/year (Compared to 2018)	7.3 years

 

City vs KUB Lights

The City and KUB both operate lights in the City limits. 3-1-1 and KUB Customer Service can help determine whether a streetlight is owned by the City or KUB.

City Lights		KUB Lights
City lights are typically along public streets or rights-of-way, and have a metal tag with a 4-6 digit number.		KUB lights (sometimes called "Light Watchmen") are usually on private property and have a metal tag with a 9-digit number preceded by “LW".

Report a Problem

If you find a streetlight that is damaged or not working, please confirm that streetlight is owned by the City (see above) and then submit a service request through the MyKnoxville app, online, or by calling 3-1-1. 

Streetlights are intended to illuminate streets and sidewalks, not private property. If a light is shining into your home or property, residents can request the City to evaluate the fixture to see if it fits criteria to have a shield installed.