LED POLE LIGHTING - A PRIME CHOICE FOR EXTERIOR ILLUMINATION!
Choose Your Lighting by Lot Type
Retail / Restaurant Parking
Lot size: 50–300 stalls typical
Target footcandles: 2.4 fc average / 0.6 fc minimum (IES RP-20 Type B)
Uniformity ratio: 4:1 max-to-min
Pole height: 20–25 ft typical
Fixture wattage: 150W–240W per pole
Key requirements: Photocell dusk-to-dawn control, motion sensor optional for late-night dimming
Project budget (typical): $400–$700 per pole installed
Multifamily / Apartment Complex
Lot size: 30–200 stalls typical
Target footcandles: 2.0 fc average / 0.5 fc minimum
Uniformity ratio: 10:1 max-to-min
Pole height: 20–25 ft
Fixture wattage: 100W–200W
Key requirements: Bi-level dimming to 30% after 11 PM (reduces tenant complaints and energy consumption), taller poles to minimize light trespass onto neighboring properties
Project budget (typical): $300–$500 per pole installed
Auto Dealership
Lot size: 100–500+ vehicles displayed
Target footcandles: 4.8 fc average / 1.2 fc minimum (substantially higher than standard retail parking)
Uniformity ratio: 3:1
Pole height: 25–30 ft
Fixture wattage: 240W–400W
Key requirements: High-CRI fixtures (CRI 80+ minimum, 90+ preferred) for accurate vehicle paint color representation; long-throw optics for large display lots
Project budget (typical): $500–$900 per pole installed
School / Educational
Lot size: Typically divided into faculty, student and visitor parking zones
Target footcandles: 2.0 fc average / 0.5 fc minimum (faculty & student lots) · 1.0 fc average for visitor and overflow parking
Uniformity ratio: 4:1
Pole height: 20–25 ft
Fixture wattage: 150W–240W
Key requirements: Vandal-resistant fixtures (IK10 preferred), motion-sensor dimming after hours, photocell control, ASTM F2545 school safety compliance
Project budget (typical): $400–$650 per pole installed
Hospital / Medical Campus
Lot size: 200–2,000+ stalls
Target footcandles: 3.0 fc average / 1.0 fc minimum (security and ADA requirements drive higher illumination levels)
Uniformity ratio: 3:1
Pole height: 25–30 ft
Fixture wattage: 200W–300W
Key requirements: 24-hour operation with bi-level dimming for energy savings, high CRI for ADA color contrast, redundant circuits for emergency backup
Project budget (typical): $500–$800 per pole installed
Industrial / Warehouse Yard
Lot size: Truck yards, trailer storage and equipment staging areas
Target footcandles: 2.0–5.0 fc depending on operational activity
Uniformity ratio: 4:1
Pole height: 30–40 ft (larger coverage areas benefit from taller poles)
Fixture wattage: 300W–400W
Key requirements: Heavy-duty IP66 construction, high-output illumination for open yards, compatibility with 277–480V industrial power systems
Project budget (typical): $700–$1,200 per pole installed
Park & Ride / Transit Lot
Lot size: 100–500 stalls
Target footcandles: 1.5 fc average / 0.4 fc minimum
Uniformity ratio: 8:1
Pole height: 20–25 ft
Fixture wattage: 150W–200W
Key requirements: Pedestrian safety for commuters, DLC Premium certification preferred to maximize utility rebate eligibility
Project budget (typical): $400–$650 per pole installed
How a Code-Compliant Parking Lot Lighting Design Works
A professional parking lot lighting design typically includes three deliverables completed in sequence:
Deliverable 1 — Photometric Layout
A photometric layout is a software-generated illumination map showing predicted footcandle levels throughout the site based on fixture selection, mounting heights and pole locations. The layout verifies compliance with IES RP-20 footcandle and uniformity requirements before equipment is purchased.
GGJIA provides free DIALux or AGi32 photometric layouts for parking projects of any size. Submit site dimensions, target IES classification and any local code requirements to support@ggjia-led.com.
Typical turnaround: 2 business days.
Deliverable 2 — BUG Rating Specification
The BUG rating system (defined by IES TM-15) classifies light distribution in three directions:
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B (Backlight) — light projected toward adjacent properties behind the fixture
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U (Uplight) — light emitted above the horizontal plane into the night sky
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G (Glare) — high-angle light visible to drivers and pedestrians
For most commercial applications, target B2 U0 G2 or better. For dark-sky jurisdictions such as Tucson, Flagstaff, San Diego and many Canadian municipalities, target U0 G1. GGJIA full-cutoff fixtures achieve U0 ratings by design.
See Full Cutoff Wall Lights →
Deliverable 3 — Mounting & Electrical Plan
The mounting plan specifies pole heights, locations, aiming angles and hardware requirements. The electrical plan defines branch circuits, conduit routing, controls, photocell wiring and overcurrent protection.
For permitted projects, these plans are typically submitted as part of the building permit package.
GGJIA photometric layouts include pole placement recommendations but generally do not include full electrical engineering drawings. For NEC-compliant electrical plans, consult your electrical contractor or contact GGJIA for project-specific guidance.
Pole Spacing & Height Rules
The relationship between mounting height, fixture wattage and pole spacing determines lighting uniformity and overall project efficiency.
Rule 1 — Pole spacing ≈ 4× mounting height.
A 25-ft mounting height typically supports pole spacing of approximately 100 ft. Closer spacing can create excessive brightness directly beneath fixtures, while wider spacing increases the risk of dark areas.
Rule 2 — Higher poles cover more area but reduce uniformity.
A 30-ft pole may reduce total fixture count but often produces less uniform illumination and greater glare than multiple 25-ft poles. For many commercial parking lots, 25 ft provides the best balance between coverage and uniformity.
Rule 3 — Avoid a single ultra-high-power fixture.
A single 1,000W fixture can create excessive hot spots beneath the pole and dark areas at the perimeter, resulting in poor uniformity ratios. Multiple properly spaced 200W–240W fixtures generally provide more uniform illumination while consuming less total energy.
Rule 4 — Place poles between parking rows whenever possible.
Center-island placement (between two parking rows) provides the most balanced light distribution. Perimeter-mounted poles are acceptable but usually require additional fixtures to achieve the same coverage and uniformity.
Dark-Sky & Light Pollution Compliance
An increasing number of U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions regulate outdoor lighting to reduce light pollution, glare and light trespass.
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Tucson, AZ — strict outdoor lighting code requiring U0 uplight ratings
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Flagstaff, AZ — International Dark Sky City; full-cutoff fixtures and 4500K maximum CCT
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Pittsburgh, PA — U0-rated fixtures required for many outdoor installations
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San Diego, CA — BUG-rating compliance required for numerous commercial projects
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Toronto, ON — outdoor lighting standards apply to new commercial developments
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State of Hawaii — lighting restrictions in designated environmentally sensitive zones
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Many Colorado, Utah and New Mexico jurisdictions — dark-sky requirements increasingly adopted
Before specifying parking lot lighting, verify requirements with the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Even where not mandated, U0-rated fixtures and house-side shields help reduce neighbor complaints and future-proof projects.
GGJIA full-cutoff and shielded parking lot fixtures meet U0 specifications by design.
Full Cutoff Wall Lights →
LED Parking Lot Lights →
Controls Strategy — Photocell, Motion, Bi-Level
Outdoor lighting wastes more energy through unnecessary operating hours than through fixture inefficiency. Three control strategies are commonly used:
1. Photocell (Dusk-to-Dawn)
A built-in or external photocell automatically turns lights on at dusk and off at dawn.
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Energy savings: Eliminates daytime operation
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Cost: $15–$30 per fixture
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Best for: All outdoor parking lots
2. Motion Sensor Dimming
Fixtures dim to 30–50% output when no activity is detected and return to full brightness when vehicles or pedestrians are present.
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Energy savings: Additional 30–50% beyond photocell control
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Cost: $30–$60 per fixture
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Best for: Multifamily housing, schools and low-traffic commercial properties
3. Bi-Level / Time-Clock Dimming
Fixtures operate at full output during peak hours and automatically reduce to lower output during overnight periods.
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Example: 100% from 5 PM–11 PM, then 30% from 11 PM–5 AM
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Energy savings: 30–40% during overnight operation
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Cost: Typically $50–$100 per fixture with controls integration
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Best for: Hospitals, multifamily properties and 24-hour facilities
Combined controls strategy (Photocell + Motion Sensor + Bi-Level Dimming) can reduce annual parking lot lighting energy consumption by 70–80% compared with continuous full-output operation while maintaining safety and code compliance.
LED Pole Lighting, equipped with modern functionalities such as motion sensors and photocells, stands as the ideal successor to conventional metal halide lamps. Boasting impressive energy efficiency and durability, these lights find widespread application as LED parking lot lights, thanks to their versatile wattage, luminosity, and color temperature options. Their popularity stems from their energy-saving nature, extended lifespan, environmental benefits, and superior brightness.
Often termed street lights, shoebox lights, or area lights, LED Pole Lights are essential for brightening up streets, parking areas, entry points of buildings, gardens, and pathways of hotels, among other outdoor locales. They ensure safe navigation for both drivers and pedestrians, significantly reducing accident risks by offering clear visibility.
At GGJIA Lighting, our LED pole lights are constructed with robust materials and boast industry-leading IP ratings, promising longevity of over a decade with minimal maintenance.
DURABLE UNIDIRECTIONAL LIGHTS FOR BROAD OUTDOOR LIGHTING
Our LED Area Lights are characterized by their sleek design, resistance to vibration, and solid optics, making them perfect for outdoor setups. Unlike traditional lighting, these LED fixtures emit light in a specified direction, ensuring focused illumination. The Wide Beam Angle provided by our LED pole lights enhances area coverage, reducing the number of fixtures required for vast outdoor spaces.
KEY FEATURES FOR SELECTING LED POLE LIGHTS:
- Wattage: Choose the appropriate wattage for your space, available from 150 watts to 300 watts.
- CCT (Correlated Color Temperature): This indicates the light's color tone, ranging from warm reddish-orange to cool blueish-white.
- CRI (Color Rendering Index): A measure of how true to natural light the illumination is. Higher ratings mean closer to natural daylight.
- Heat Management: A well-designed LED light enclosure should effectively dissipate heat.
AVAILABLE VARIANTS
GGJIA Lighting is your destination for all exterior lighting requirements, offering LED pole lights in colors like Bronze, Gray, Black, Silver, and White. Our inventory includes wattages of 150W, 200W and 300W, alongside a variety of mounting options to fit different pole types.
Worried about your energy bills? Switch to LED for up to an 80% reduction in energy consumption compared to traditional fixtures. Enhance energy management with Photocell Sensors for automated lighting control.
FLEXIBLE AND SECURE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS
LED technology allows for adaptable brightness, with motion sensors for automated brightness adjustment based on detected movement, enhancing both energy efficiency and security.
CONTROL AND MOUNTING OPTIONS
Various mounting alternatives are provided for LED Parking Lot Lights, including yoke-mounting, adjustable (or slip fitter) mounting, direct mounting, and universal mounting options, catering to diverse installation needs.
NECESSARY ACCESSORIES
Our range includes Tenon Adaptors and Bullhorns for poles of any material and shape, alongside essential accessories like photocell Sensors, motion sensors, and Always ON Shorting Caps to maximize the functionality and efficiency of your LED pole light setup.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What precisely are LED pole lights? A: Outdoor fixtures mounted on poles, ideal for lighting extensive areas with their energy-efficient LED technology for focused and bright lighting.
Q: Common applications for LED pole lights? A: Varied outdoor settings, such as parking lots, streets, highways, sports arenas, industrial zones, and public areas, anywhere requiring quality outdoor lighting.
Q: Are LED pole lights designed to withstand weather? A: Yes, they're built to be weather-resistant, often featuring high IP ratings for superior protection against elements.
Q: Warranty coverage for LED pole lights? A: Most reputable manufacturers provide product warranties. Check specific terms with the manufacturer.
Q: Benefits of LED pole lights equipped with photocells? A: These lights offer energy efficiency through automatic operation, convenience without manual intervention, and enhanced safety and security by ensuring areas are well-lit when needed.
Q: Ideal brightness for a pole light? A: Brightness levels should align with the application and location, ranging from 23,000 lumens for residential areas to 42,000 lumens for sports fields or parks, ensuring adequate visibility for the intended space.
A: The ideal LED light for work areas combines high brightness (8,000 to 20,000 lumens), a daylight to cool white color temperature (4000 to 6500 Kelvin), a high CRI (90+), and features that reduce glare and flickering.
Q: What does 5000 K mean in lighting?
A: As seen on the graph, 5000 kelvin is a nice white but has a slight tint of yellow. People who choose this color are usually trying to get a more natural white light that appears less harsh to the eye.
Q: What is 5700 Kelvin color?
A:5700K lights produce a whiter light, which are perfect for if your drive is mainly going to be in wide open spaces or on long roads and areas were light reflection isn’t going to be an issue, as the whiter colour helps with more defined distance penetration, and can also pick out more details around the edges of the beam in open areas.
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