In Habo municipality you’ll find Solparken – a popular meeting place with a playground, barbecue area, and outdoor gym. It offers play environments for all ages and, since autumn 2023, also a new way to save energy. In early October 2023, a project was launched to introduce smart lighting controls. Forty luminaires were equipped with technology to reduce both energy consumption and operating costs. The project was completed in May the following year.

– Sustainability issues are like an umbrella and permeate everything we do. In the long run, the aim is to achieve lower consumption, says Mikael Norell, Head of Streets and Parks in Habo municipality.

Reduced consumption and improved safety

Through presence detection and night dimming, the lighting can be adapted to actual needs. This way, the area lights up when people are present – while unnecessary energy use is avoided during the night. 

– There is no reason for it to be fully lit all night. Here we can experiment and adjust – for example dimming in the evening and switching off during the darkest hours, explains Mikael Norell.

An investment for both environment and economy

The background to the project is linked to both sustainability and cost savings. With rising electricity prices, energy-efficient solutions are becoming increasingly important. 

– In the long run this means significant savings for the municipality, but also for the environment. Why should a luminaire shine all night when no one is there? Here we get both safety and energy savings in one solution, says Mikael Norell.

Positive experiences

Following the installation, the overall experience has been positive, and Habo municipality already sees potential for expanding the project to other locations.

– We have nothing to complain about. It will be exciting to see how it works during autumn and winter. I would definitely recommend Citygrid to other municipalities, says Mikael Norell.