About solar lighting 5 February 2025
In the first video of our series Public Lighting Q&A, we speak with Thierry Suaud, Mayor of Portet-sur-Garonne and President of the Syndicat Départemental d’Énergie de la Haute-Garonne (SDEHG) since October 2020. He sheds light on the role of energy authorities and the growing importance of solar lighting in the energy transition. Through concrete examples, like the autonomous solar lighting project on the Armagnac Pathway in Tournefeuille (31), he demonstrates how these infrastructures contribute to more sustainable regional development.
Thierry Suaud: “An energy authority plays a crucial role in managing local energy infrastructures. In Haute-Garonne, it operates in several strategic areas:
✅ Management of electrical grids
✅ Modernization and Management of public lighting
✅ Deployment of infrastructure for the energy transition
Previously focused solely on electricity, energy authorities have expanded their responsibilities to support local authorities with renewable energy projects, smart public lighting, and sustainable mobility, including installing electric vehicle charging stations.”
Energy authorities provide municipalities with innovative, sustainable solutions for new environmental and economic challenges.
Thierry Suaud: “Solar lighting provides autonomous, network-independent lighting points. It can be a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution in areas without existing infrastructure. This is particularly relevant for locations where we want to avoid disruptive civil works or preserve the landscape and for sites that serve as examples of renewable energy use. Solar lighting can also reflect political commitment through the decisions of elected officials. It’s part of the available solution set.”
For municipalities, adopting solar lighting is a strong statement in favor of the energy transition and the use of renewable energy
Thierry Suaud: “The Armagnac Pathway project in Tournefeuille is a perfect example of our approach. As the project manager, the authority opted for an autonomous lighting system to avoid heavy civil works (trenches, underground networks) and minimize environmental impact.”
✅ Goal: Light a green pathway while reducing environmental impact
✅ Solution: Installation of autonomous solar streetlights
✅ Result: Efficient, sustainable, and economical lighting
The discussion with Thierry Suaud highlights the essential role of energy authorities in the development of public infrastructure. By integrating innovative solutions such as solar lighting, municipalities adopt a winning strategy:
💡 Are you a municipality looking to modernize your public lighting? Contact us today for a personalized study and discover how our solutions can transform your town!
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