Street Lighting

Check your contract, can you remove them yet? Replacement may be very, very expensive. Some cities have used an "adopt a streetlight" approach. Basically, if you want the streetlight infront of your house turned on, you pay for it. Very simple. Its amazing the amount of un-wanted streetlights that can be turned off and monies saved when no one cares about them.

No first hand experience but my first guess is that the utility company will claim ownership of the poles, wiring, fixtures, transformers, and bulbs. They may expect you to purchase them or they will remove them. If this stuff is removed, you will have to pay for all new equipment. Also, check your contract to see whether you are on a month-to-month plan or if there is a penalty for terminating the agreement.

If you have to replace everything, you might want to consider solar power. The up-front cost is bit much (there may be subsidies available) but you will be free from the utility company.

Stanley,

IF they are owned by the electric company and on an easement, it could be possible for you to have them turn off. However, the cost of removing them would probably be too high and I suspect the electric company would just leave them in place. If this happens, the Association would have many non-working lights. Non-working street lights are typically not attractive to a potential buyer.

I did look at solar powered street lights as a consideration for adding street lights in our community. If I recall correctly, the cost was approx 3-5K per light plus installation. It was also unclear how long the batteries would last.

You might want to contact the electric company and see if they have other options available that are more cost effective.

Don't forget that most street lights are at least 10 feet tall so you will need to us a bucket truck to change a bulb or perform repairs. Our leased lights are always serviced promptly when we call our local utility company.