R20 Regions for Climate Action, Lighting Science Group, and Pegasus Capital Advisors announced today that they have installed an initial set of 52 LED streetlights in Brazil. The well-attended ceremony last Saturday night in Nova Friburgo illuminated the city’s central square. The group and their other local partners hope to implement large-scale street lighting projects across Brazil by minimizing the upfront cost of installing new LED streetlights, and saving over 50% of previous energy usage.

“Efficient energy usage is a key tool that we will need to employ in the fight against climate change – by helping developing economies become more energy efficient while saving them money we can drastically reduce the environmental impact associated with economic development”

At the event were politicians and business leaders, in addition to hundreds of citizens, intent on seeing the 52 fixtures illuminated for the first time. Now a permanent element of the Nova Friburgo street lighting system, the “mini” is a welcomed change and futuristic addition to the collection of traditional street lights currently spread around the city.

Lighting Science’s LED technology and minimalist design is front and center in this display representing the world premiere of the mini. Lasting over 10 times longer than traditional lighting, the mini substantially reduces the maintenance costs associated with street lighting and avoids the waste associated with continually replacing most of the components of traditional fixtures. Further, the mini uses 75% less material and is 50% more energy efficient than traditional lighting solutions, saving customers money and significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the lighted environment.

Given the budget pressures facing municipalities across the world, the R20 and its financial advisor, Pegasus, knew that a financing solution is needed in order to roll out these installations on a large scale. By building relationships with local financing partners and leveraging Pegasus’ experience in structuring complex transactions, the group is establishing a first-of-its-kind financial structure to make LED adoption as seamless as possible. This is what has led Nova Friburgo and municipalities across Brazil to be so enthusiastic about installing LED street lights.

“Efficient energy usage is a key tool that we will need to employ in the fight against climate change – by helping developing economies become more energy efficient while saving them money we can drastically reduce the environmental impact associated with economic development,” said Terry Tamminen, the R20’s Chief Strategic Adviser and former Director of the California Environmental Protection Agency.

“The transformation of light to a digital technology enables us to completely change the way we think about designing lighting fixtures,” said Fred Maxik, Chief Technology Officer of Lighting Science. He continued, “No longer are we confined to the traditional cobra head design for street lighting. This revolutionary change enables us to integrate additional functionality and build greater efficacy into lighting solutions.”

“Our focus on sustainable development using unique technology and the fantastic partnerships we have built drive the success of this project. By integrating multiple groups, each with a valuable skill set, has proven a great way to create fundamental value, especially in developing economies where local knowledge is a highly critical driver of success,” said Craig Cogut, Founder and Chairman of Pegasus Capital Advisors.