How solar-powered security lights saved Kier over £1.7k on energy bills

Projects

Post Written by Jeremy Ross

8th April 2026

Construction environments are becoming increasingly fast-paced as more and more sites operate around the clock to meet completion deadlines. Whether that’s because clients request shorter schedules or just down to logistics, either way, the site needs to remain lit for those working into the night.

The issue is that construction sites often don’t have access to mains power. Thankfully, solar-powered security lights provide off-grid solutions to keep up with even the most demanding sites. 

Find out how solar lighting kept sites safe for Kier and saved them money on their energy bills. 

 

24-hour operations at a category A prison 

Kier was a key partner in the wider framework for the Ministry of Justice, helping deliver circa £600bn worth of prison reforms, cost and environmental impact were a huge driver in their work. 

As part of a framework for the Department of Justice, they were building a new housing block at a prison that required a 24-hour operation to complete on time. 

Their first challenge was lighting the site with no mains electricity. The second was that the prison was category A, so maintaining the highest level of security for staff and the public was crucial. On top of this, Kier had targets for emissions, so sustainability was a vital piece to the puzzle. 

They came to SmartWatch Solutions to deliver a cutting-edge solution that optimised energy. 

 

What we did 

Lucky for Kier, we had the ideal product that satisfied every need. 

Our lighting towers do more than just light up a site. 

Motion detection meets bill reduction 

They can be installed to activate and brighten when motion is detected and dim during periods of no motion, so they use only the energy they need. 

Self-sufficient monitoring 

The biggest downfall of solar solutions is the need for sunlight to operate reliably. Our solar lighting automatically monitors its battery level and subtly adjusts intensity to conserve power. 

Double-layered monitoring

We don’t just rely on its system to conserve its power, we monitor units all day long to ensure battery levels remain sufficient, and in the very unlikely event they aren’t, we will respond quickly to resolve it. 

We offer transparent pricing and handle everything from transportation to installation, so you can focus on the project while our specialists handle the rest. 

 

How our solar solutions saved Kier £1.7k 

Lighting a high-security prison construction site 24/7 is expensive with diesel. By choosing solar over traditional diesel lighting, Kier saved a minimum of £1,749.50, with savings reaching up to £14,215.46 against premium diesel alternatives.

 

Ready to save on your energy bills?

Every business needs something different when it comes to lighting and security. If you want to save money, just like Kier did, give us a call or send an email, and we’ll put together a comprehensive solution tailored to you. 

If you’re not ready to hire solar-powered security lights, why not explore our other solar solutions today? 

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