2023 Panel Discussion: Go Solar! Solar Street and Pathway Lighting are a Reality!

This session will look at one of the ways we can help reduce greenhouse gases in our design practices. As lighting professionals, we have been designing with more and more efficacious luminaires and improved control systems to only have light on when needed. Solar powered lighting takes this to the next level by removing exterior nighttime lighting from the electric grid altogether with no dependance on fossil fuels. Off-grid Solar lighting also provides the added benefit of delivering light when the electric grid in down during storms or natural disasters.

This presentation will provide attendees with an overview of solar powered luminaire systems with an emphasis on systems independent of the electric grid. What are photovoltaics and how do they work to power luminaires at night. What is involved in designing a solar lighting system? The designers on the panel will present their experience with the design and implementation of solar powered exterior lighting systems in Colorado to give us their first-hand experience in this process.

Learning Objectives

1. Attendees will be able to identify potential projects where solar powered lighting would be an appropriate solution
2. Attendees will be able to analyze the components of a solar lighting system and understand what is involved in designing a system
3. Attendees will be able to describe how solar lighting systems ties in with Dark Sky and Responsible Outdoor Lighting at Night movement
4. Attendees will be able to compare solar lighting systems and understand the various operating and control methods

Sandra Stashik
Regional Sales Manager, Selux

Ms. Stashik started her career in Lighting design and devoted more than 30 years to design. Her work encompassed interior and exterior environments, including major buildings types, urban and campus master planning, to streetscapes and bridges.

For the past 9 years, Sandra has been involved in marketing, product development and sales for lighting manufacturers. She is Regional Sales Manager with Selux in the North Eastern, USA.

Sandra is a registered Professional Engineer, Fellow of the Illuminating Engineering Society, LEED accredited professional and Affiliate Member of the International Association of Lighting Designers. She serves on several IES committees and is a past member of the Board of Directors of the IES and was a topic editor for the 8th addition of the IES Handbook. Sandra has lectured at numerous conferences such as Lightfair, local and national IES and Street and Area Lighting Conferences, IFMA and DOE LED Conference.

Nancy Clanton, PE, FIES, FIALD, LC, LEED Fellow
Founder and CEO, Clanton & Associates, Inc.

Nancy Clanton is CEO of Clanton & Associates, a lighting design firm specializing in sustainable and regenerative design. Nancy is a registered Professional Engineer. Nancy is a member of the National Academy of Science committee on the assessment of solid state lighting. Nancy is International Standards Organization (ISO) 205 WG 7,USA delegate. Nancy received the 2018 Edison Report Lifetime Achievement Award, 2014 ACEC Colorado Outstanding Woman Engineer Award, the International CleanDesign Award, and the 2021 CU Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award.

David Schmitt
Engineer, Clanton & Associates

David joined Clanton & Associates full time in July 2022. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Colorado Boulder. He studied renewable energy and power electronics. David was drawn to work with Clanton & Associates by the firm’s emphasis on reducing light pollution and promoting dark skies.

AJ Pualani
Manager, Technical Lighting Solutions, Selux

AJ Pualani has been with Selux for over three years and has an extensive background in architectural lighting design. He earned his BS in Architectural Engineering from the University of Colorado and his Lighting Certification from the NCQLP. AJ Pualani is an active member in the Illuminating Engineering Society and has earned many industry recognitions including IESNA awards and contributions to the LD+A Magazine. He believes that lighting is the inherent and transforming element in architecture and is dedicated to utilizing light to empower space, form, experience, and emotion. He enjoys the challenge of creating sustainable lighting solutions that meet client requirements and enhance the overall quality of light for each project. His goal is to combine the art of lighting design and fixture design to provide the best possible lighting solution to meet client needs.