4 replies to this topic

[Grey Dog]

I have requested my Municipality to put shields on the streetlight outside my home so I can sleep, and have been informed they will look into it.  What can I do to help this to happen?

 

 

[GDAstrola]

In my case the local electric utility, Ameren Missouri, is responsible for dealing with light trespass issues.  They use an aluminized tape and line an appropriate amount of the interior of the diffuser.  I guesstimate there is an 90% + reduction of light output where the tape is placed.

[TOMDEY]

Our electric company did this for me. It's across the street from my house, pretty far away, and the one and only street light within half a mile of my house. I got them to spray paint the inside of the lenticular array black on my 180^o side of the road and they also relamped and reballasted it with low output sodium light. My big dome is 1000 feet away and 100+ feet higher elevation. They were very helpful and charged nothing for the modification.    Tom

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[FirstSight]

Fortunately, the utilities at both our primary residence in Raleigh (Progress Energy) and at our house at the coast (Brunswick Electrical Co-op) were promptly responsive in installing effective shields on the respective streetlight in front of both houses.  And for free.  The one for our yard in Raleigh is stunningly effective - there is an abrupt line about 10 ft into our yard between lit-up and inky dark.  The one on the light at the coast is a bit different - the drop-off of ground illumination behind the shield isn't nearly so stark, more greatly dimmed and diffused, but up at porch level and first-floor bedroom level (houses are built up on pilings,so first-floor is 2nd-floor level for conventiona house) - the light from the fixture isn't directly visible at all, but only dim reflected light from the light-colored sandy ground.

[tcifani]

I have requested my Municipality to put shields on the streetlight outside my home so I can sleep, and have been informed they will look into it.  What can I do to help this to happen?

It can take a long time for this to happen, and many many phone calls. I first contacted my city and they put in the order to the power company, but then the power company denied the order was actually placed. That kind of back and forth. But it eventually happened and the shield on my street light has made night observing a much better experience. Be prepared to make a lot of routine phone calls.

 

Edit: make sure you ask for names and direct phone numbers of people to contact.

Edited by tcifani, 08 November 2024 - 09:17 AM.