Parking Lot & Area Lighting in Minnesota

Common Issues With Traditional Lighting

All HID lamps have some inherent characteristics that can lead to issues for those managing exterior lighting for an organization or facility.

Energy Costs

In Minnesota, where large parking areas are common, many facilities still rely on high-wattage HID fixtures — often ranging from 100W to 1000W. These consume significant power. A 400W or 1000W HID fixture can cost up to $525/year in electricity per fixture. Across a large parking lot, these costs add up fast for Arkansas facility managers.

Maintenance Costs

Maintenance costs are a major concern for outdoor lighting applications such as parking lot and area fixtures. These lights are typically mounted on poles that exceed 15 feet in height, which means routine maintenance often requires the use of a bucket truck or lift. Since most facilities do not own this type of equipment, they must rely on outside contractors to replace lamps, ballasts, or other components. In addition to lamp lifespan limitations, the cost of labor and equipment can escalate quickly. Over a three-year period, it can cost up to $1,200 per fixture in maintenance alone, making this one of the most expensive aspects of managing traditional lighting systems.

Lighting Performance

Depending on the type of HID lamp your facility utilizes, the performance characteristics of your parking and area lighting can vary significantly. For example, if you are using metal halide lamps you may see light that is “whiter,” but these types of lamps tend to have accelerated lumen degradation, meaning the light output of the lamps decrease quickly after initial install, and as a result the overall lifetime of the lamp decreases (we have all seen those parking lot fixtures that have “pink” lamps that are barely providing any lighting on the ground). If you are using high pressure sodium, you may see longer “useful” life as these lamps see less lumen degradation than metal halide, but their fuel structure produces a very “orange” light with a very low color rendering index, or CRI. Basically, you trade a longer life for a poorer quality light, in regards to visual perspective.

Benefits of LED Lighting in Minnesota

Benefits of LED Parking and Area Lighting Applications

Outdoor LED lighting fixtures, such as exterior LED parking lot lights, provide some excellent benefits for parking and area applications because of how they GENERATE light and how they DISTRIBUTE light. Light emitting diodes generate light via a semi-conductor, as opposed to the consumption of a “fuel source” like in HID lamps. In regards to “distributing” light, LED fixtures commonly utilize “multi-point” sources, meaning the fixtures have multiple diodes with individual optics. When you compare this to the way most HID fixtures distribute light (with a single bulb and reflectors within the fixture), the result is light that is more evenly “distributed’ across a surface.

The Three Most Common Benefits of LED Parking Lot Lights:

Energy Savings

LED fixtures reduce energy use by 40–60% compared to HID lights. With common wattages ranging from 40W to 600W, Minnesota businesses can save up to $300 per fixture annually just in electricity.

Maintenance Cost Reduction

With lifespans over 100,000 hours, LED lights in Minnesota parking lots require far fewer replacements, saving significantly on labor and lift rental fees. That means fewer disruptions and long-term budget predictability.

Lighting Performance

LED parking lot lights provide more even distribution thanks to their multi-point diode design. Unlike HID fixtures that produce a harsh “hot spot,” LEDs deliver consistent light coverage — improving safety and visibility across entire parking areas.

Plus, LEDs offer higher color rendering (CRI), making Minnesota facilities look brighter and more secure while enhancing camera visibility for security systems

How to Light up Parking Lot in Minnesota

The first step is to work with a manufacturer-neutral LED lighting partner — like Stouch Lighting. We focus on performance, efficiency, and long-term ROI — not just selling a fixture. We’ll help you:

• Assess your site layout

• Identify your energy savings potential

• Choose the right product for your goals

• Handle everything from design to implementation

A solution-focused supplier should ask you about your project objectives. Are there budget constraints, energy reduction targets, lighting performance requirements, etc? The appropriate partner will want to gain an understanding of your desired OUTCOME, not just what specific products they can sell you. Not all LED products are created equal. There are different levels of value from different manufacturers for different applications, and by working with a company that has the product expertise to recommend a solution that meets your project priorities, you will ultimately achieve the best results.