First Light Technologies is pleased to announce the launch of its WLB Series Solar LED Bollard for low-level architectural, commercial way finding, and landscaping applications.

"With this offering we continue our commitment to bring simple, effective self-contained solar-powered lighting to the $13 billion outdoor and architectural lighting market," said Sean Bourquin, First Light Technologies Managing Director and Co-founder.

"Following closely on the heels of our recent PLB Series Solar LED Bollard product launch, this positions First Light Technologies as the leading designer of architectural-quality, integrated solar LED lighting products for pedestrian applications."

First Light Technologies designed the WLB Series Solar LED Bollard to meet the landscaping needs of a large commercial client, which has already purchased 300 units. Demanding design criteria required that the lights fit a high-end architectural aesthetic, be unobtrusive, and yet provide sufficient lighting.

The resulting design is virtually indestructible and features proprietary Energy Management System (EMS) technology to ensure reliability in any environment, regardless of low-solar weather patterns or unusual charging conditions.

A visibly green statement with better performance and cost-savings
The WLB leads a game-changing generation of solar LED lights that will compete on price with traditional wired lighting while offering a range of added benefits:

+ Low installed cost and minimal site impact with no trenching, cabling or wiring.

+ Minimal ongoing costs with no electrical bills, no bulbs to change.

+ Immunity from power outages.

+ A visibly green statement without recurring carbon emissions.

The WLB Series Solar LED Bollard comes in a distinctive, robust and attractive design in 9-inch and 34-inch heights. Five choices of factory-set lighting profiles turn the light on automatically at dusk and off at dawn, and provide customizable alternatives for late-night dimming or shut-down.

A well-established photovoltaic design consultancy with over 250 projects in 22 countries, First Light Technologies builds on its extensive solar power system and LED lighting expertise to bring simple and cost-effective solar solutions to a lighting market with a rapidly growing demand for energy efficient alternatives.

According to a McKinsey and Company 2011 report, the combined market for outdoor and architectural lighting was valued at $13 billion in 2010 and expected to grow to $18 billion by 2016, while the growth of LED lighting is expected to outperform the rest of the general lighting market with a compound annual growth rate of 34% from 2010 to 2016.

"Energy efficiency is the driving force that will contribute the most powerfully to the upcoming discontinuity in the lighting industry," states the report, concluding that installing energy-efficient lighting is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while yielding substantial economic benefits. Consequently, LEDs' share of the general lighting market is expected to grow from 7% to 70% by 2020.