In 2019, SEPCO had the privilege of partnering with the city of Hanahan, SC, to bring a fresh glow to their downtown streetscape. The goal? To create a lighting solution that was both functional and beautiful - improving safety, enhancing aesthetics, and meeting the city's vision for a modern, sustainable community.

The Challenge: Balancing Form and Function
The city's existing lighting system needed an upgrade, but this wasn't just about replacing old fixtures. The project had to meet strict SC DOT specifications, including an average maintained illuminance of 1.1 foot-candles and a uniformity ratio of 4:1 (avg/min) or better. At the same time, the city wanted something more than traditional streetlights - a decorative option that would complement the downtown's charm.

 
The Solution: Collaboration and Innovation
Working closely with a city planner and a Landscape Architect, SEPCO developed a lighting plan that checked all the boxes. The team used 40-watt SolarUrban solar lighting systems that met the SC DOT's S-8-24 Urban - Major Collector requirements and delivered a decorative bell-shaped fixture that added a touch of elegance to the streetscape.

The SolarUrban system featured a 275-watt solar power assembly and a dual battery setup, ensuring a minimum of five nights of backup power - even with zero sunlight. This reliability, combined with the system's ability to provide even illumination, made it the perfect fit for Hanahan's needs.

To ensure the lighting plan worked seamlessly, SEPCO provided a complete lighting layout using AutoCAD files of the street. This allowed the team to account for obstacles like trees, driveways, and crossroads, ensuring optimal placement and spacing of the poles. In some areas, lights were alternated between sides of the street to meet light level requirements while maintaining the city's aesthetic goals.

Aesthetics Meet Practicality
The SolarUrban system's design elements were carefully chosen to enhance the downtown's appeal. The decorative bell-shaped fixtures and banner arms added a classic touch, while the direct burial poles included a breakaway feature for safety in case of vehicle impact. The system was also designed to meet wind load requirements that ensure resilience during hurricanes, a key consideration for coastal South Carolina.

Expanding the Glow: Lighting the Local Park
The success of the downtown project paved the way for a second phase in 2022, when the city expanded the lighting system to a local park. A mix of grid-tied and off-grid solar lights was used to illuminate the park's pathways, creating a cohesive look that tied the two spaces together.

A Brighter Future
The Hanahan streetscape and park lighting projects are a testament to what can be achieved when innovation, collaboration, and community come together. SEPCO is proud to have played a role in brightening Hanahan's downtown and park, and we look forward to helping other communities shine just as brightly.