Unlit pay stations create a nighttime safety gap

The parking payment stations at this Pismo Beach municipal lot had no illumination, leaving limited visibility and reduced safety for staff, residents, and visitors during nighttime operation. The City wanted to improve user safety and accessibility while evaluating whether off-grid solar lighting could meet its needs for municipal parking applications.

The site added a demanding constraint. Located roughly a quarter-mile from the Pacific Ocean, the lot sits in a coastal marine environment with constant salt-air exposure, making corrosion resistance a central design requirement. Rear light spill also needed to be controlled given the proximity to surrounding areas. The City engaged Leadsun through the Evolumn 90-day, no-obligation pilot program to assess the technology before any broader commitment.

A corrosion-resistant, foundation-free solar solution

Leadsun deployed two solar lighting systems built for the coastal setting: a Mono360 Ultra with a bell-shaped luminaire and an AE3 All-In-One with an RS30 Freedom Classic luminaire, both running 30W LEDs. The bell-shaped luminaire was selected to deliver uniform downward light while minimizing glare and rear spill, with targeted illumination of the pay stations and adjacent pedestrian areas.

Enhanced corrosion protection guided the hardware. The installation used hot-dip galvanized steel poles finished in black powder coat, paired with corrosion-resistant foundation components for long-term durability against salt air. To eliminate concrete pours and speed deployment, the systems were set on the EZYFoot pile foundation, allowing installation within an active public parking facility with minimal site disturbance. Because the systems are fully self-contained, no trenching, conduit, wiring, or utility connection was required.

A proven model for municipal deployment

The installation was completed successfully and on schedule, illuminating the previously dark pay stations and improving nighttime visibility, safety, and user confidence across the facility. PIR-based adaptive dimming runs the lights between 30% and 100%, optimizing energy use and extending autonomy through the night.

The EDGE Wireless Asset Monitoring System provides remote performance analytics and diagnostics, enabling proactive maintenance and reducing long-term operating costs. By eliminating trenching, conduit, wiring, and utility connection fees, the pilot also demonstrated a cost-effective pathway for future lighting locations. With performance objectives met, the Pismo Beach pilot established a real-world evaluation site supporting broader municipal deployment across the city.