Harnessing the Sun

Los Angeles-based Susan Levi & Assoc., a consulting firm that specializes in the formation and administration of business improvement districts (BIDs) throughout the City of Angels, initially approached me about developing several gateway-sign systems. Levi, involved with BID improvements for the past nine years, has been recognized for innovative projects that identify, brand and beautify districts. Her diverse portfolio includes decorated medians; custom water gardens; tree-planting initiatives; architectural poles decorated with hanging baskets; and monument signage accentuated with solar lighting.

Levi adheres strictly to BID spending regulations — all funds must collectively benefit an entire district. She pitched gateway signage to BIDs that oversee three Los Angeles neighborhoods: the Hollywood Media district, the Northridge Oasis and Encino Commons. Each program features scale and design that reflect the neighborhood. These signs were installed in the public right-of-way – the Encino sign encroaches on private property, but the owners granted permission.

The will to power

After having researched the portfolios of several sign companies, Levi said she chose Ultrasigns because she decided we possessed the most appropriate experience, and each member of the BID board of directors subsequently approved the project. Ultrasigns then conducted a feasibility survey that addressed typical electric-sign installation issues, such as locating underground utilities and providing primary power access to the sign for evening illumination.

Running conventional electricity to the signs would have been extremely cost-prohibitive, so Ultrasigns recommended incorporating solar power in lieu of direct power. However, the Encino Commons sign’s scale doesn’t allow solar power, and the sign will be hardwired into the existing electrical source with the property owner’s consent.

The Encino Commons sign will span 100 ft. across Ventura Blvd. at the Louise Ave. intersection. The Northridge Oasis sign, which will be entirely solar powered, will be located on the northeast corner of Reseda Blvd. and Parthenia St. and, instead of fully spanning Reseda, features a cantilevered design. Each sign is designed specifically to the colors and identity of its respective BID. The Hollywood Media district also intends to add at least two more signs to identify the BID boundaries.

Solar energy offers three advantages. First, energy-conserving LEDs connected with solar power offer substantial energy and maintenance costs. For these signs, we projected a $2,500 average annual savings. For larger signs, the number would be substantially larger.

Second, connecting to conventional electric hookups would be expensive in this area. Obtaining the requisite permits, approvals, subcontractor arrangements and traffic-control requirements within the Hollywood district would become a lengthy, inefficient process. Of greater cost, tearing up the surrounding sidewalk to access the underground utilities, and trench power to the nearest transformer, would cost approximately $35,000 – not a good number for a budget-conscious client.

By our calculations, installing the solar-powered system cost $5,900 – a savings of nearly $30,000. Levi also didn’t like the safety risk and poor aesthetics of placing the meter pedestal and control panel in a high-traffic area.

The other, and perhaps most important, reason to consider a solarpowered sign system is conserving energy and reducing the need for more. Skyrocketing energy consumption is generating more greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

A sign’s location helps determine its solar-power requirements. Fortunately, sunny Southern California offers optimal conditions. Applying inkjet-printed vinyl to the channel-letter faces, we doubled the number of LEDs to ensure consistent brightness. Illuminating the lettering and logo required 35 linear ft. of plastiLED LEDs, or 300 modules. Each module draws 0.36W, so the whole sign draws roughly 110W.

Construction challenges

The signs’ construction required an involved process. Our engineering necessitated a steel column with a caisson footing, but the cantilevered arm and cabinet dictated aluminum construction. Because the system incorporates a battery backup, aluminum is preferable because it’s less corrosion-prone than steel in the battery-storage area. Also, because aluminum is lighter than steel, it places less strain on the cantilever and, because the panels’ framing system comprises aluminum, dissimilar materials wouldn’t be an issue.

Through Internet research, I found many useful sites that offered information, installation suggestions and energy-consumption formulae (for more information, visit www.ultrasigns.com). I implemented an existing formula and integrated a fill-in-the-blank type questionnaire on our web page, under the Solar by Ultra link on our website. This link quickly and simply calculates the size of solar panels and the number of batteries required to light a sign for a specific application.

For my components, I contacted Colorado Solar Electric (New Castle, CO). We calculated our power needs based on 110W, 10 hours of operation, three days’ reserve without sun and six hours of optimal sun per day. We paid $2,150 for two, 110W Mitsubishi solar collectors, a ProStar solar controller and four, 110W, Powerup Dry, type-one batteries. Gather information; 10 years from now, we’ll still be servicing these signs.

We mounted the solar collectors atop the sign, facing south at a 33° angle. The collectors continue absorbing energy until the system converts them to photocells and uses the energy to turn on the sign. The batteries charge constantly until the sign illuminates, and they continue to drain the energy, a process the system measures at an hourly rate.

Typically, the collectors detect the light, and, when the light received diminishes to a certain threshold, the controllers assume a nighttime setting and begin lighting the sign. Some controllers merely turn the sign on or off, whereas others allow custom settings for the daily operating hours.

The hours and days required to light the sign due to a storm, or wintertime’s shorter daylight hours, increases the need for batteries. Adding more batteries isn’t a simple solution, because the hours of light and power per day are the only input the control panel provides.

For example, if you add 200W to the system and consume the same amount, additional batteries won’t maintain the sign during dim light or darkness because of the anemic amount of incoming energy.

First and foremost, do your homework – this technology offers tremendous conservation potential, but signmakers who attempt error-laden installations will only create negative impressions of solar technology and hamper future opportunities.

For further information about using solar power, Hadaya recommends visiting the following websites: www.wattsun.com, www.bp.com, www.solarpanelstore.com, www.home.altenergystore.com and www.fsec.ucf.edu.

More About Ultrasigns

Gus Hadaya, a University of Dayton graduate with an electronic-engineering major, founded San Diego-based Ultraneon, now known as Ultrasigns Electrical Advertising, in 1987. Still the company’s principal, he recently developed a proprietary LED light source for the company for which he’s established an Asian contract manufacturer. Currently, the company maintains 80,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing capacity, with locations in San Diego, Las Vegas and Mexico, as well as satellite offices that serve national accounts. The company’s repertoire includes monument signs, pylon signage, channel letters, electronic message centers and menuboards, among other applications. “I’m very proud of our work,” Hadaya said. “And I believe that our rapidly filling trophy case of industry awards [including ST’s International Sign Contest] are a testament to our quality.”