Why Upgrade Parking Lot Lighting?
Parking lots are one of the highest-energy-consuming outdoor lighting applications. Upgrading from HPS or metal halide to LED typically reduces energy costs by 60-80% while dramatically improving light quality and safety.
Choosing the Right Fixture
LED area lights (also called shoebox lights) are the standard for parking lot applications. Key specifications to consider:
- Wattage: 100-400W depending on pole height and spacing
- Distribution: Type III for perimeter, Type V for center-of-lot
- Color Temperature: 4000K or 5000K for maximum visibility
- IP Rating: IP65 minimum for outdoor exposure
Pole Height Guidelines
| Pole Height | Fixture Wattage | Spacing |
|---|---|---|
| 15-20 ft | 100-150W | 40-60 ft apart |
| 20-25 ft | 150-200W | 50-70 ft apart |
| 25-30 ft | 200-300W | 60-80 ft apart |
| 30-40 ft | 300-400W | 70-100 ft apart |
Light Level Requirements
- General parking: 1.0 fc minimum (IES RP-20)
- Shopping centers: 1.0-5.0 fc
- High security: 5.0+ fc
- Uniformity ratio: 4:1 maximum (avg:min)
Energy Code Compliance
- ASHRAE 90.1 sets maximum lighting power density
- Most jurisdictions: 0.04-0.10 W/sf for parking lots
- LED easily meets these requirements — HID often doesn't
- Photocells and time clocks typically required
Cost Example
100-space parking lot, 25ft poles:
- 12 LED area lights at $245 each = $2,940
- Energy savings vs HPS: ~$3,000/year
- Utility rebates: ~$1,200
- Net cost: $1,740 — pays for itself in 7 months!
Browse our LED Area Lights — free shipping on orders $4,000+.
Need a photometric layout? Contact us — we provide free parking lot lighting designs.