Switch to LED streetlights earns Glendale $505K rebate

PHOENIX — Change out some light bulbs and put out your hand for $500,000. Glendale received a rebate check for a half-million dollars this week from one of Arizona’s largest utility companies.

Arizona Public Service turned over the check worth $504,951 on Tuesday night at city hall for replacing arc lights on Glendale streets with more efficient LED bulbs.

The West Valley city was the first in Arizona to make the conversion, flipping the switch in early January. The process was finished in June.

“This is a big check that has a big, positive impact on our city finances,” Mayor Jerry Weiers said, according to to AZ Business Magazine.

$504,951 “Big Check”! Rebate from APS for converting 18,500 @GlendaleAZ street lights to LED – investing in future savings & improved traffic safety for citizens!!! Saves city $500K in energy costs & $200K in general maintenance costs/yr! @apsFYI 👍⚡️🙌💵 pic.twitter.com/bqE5FKyepB

— Mayor Jerry Weiers (@MayorWeiers) October 10, 2018

Phoenix began the process in late November 2017 but had about 100,000 bulbs to replace. Glendale had 18,500.

LEDs last longer andrequire less maintenance. Light from LEDs will shine brighter on a more focused, direct area than the yellow, less focused old lights, the city said in an online explanation of the conversion.

Weiers said the city will save $500,000 a year in energy costs.

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