Evaluation of a cost-effective photoelectric sensor for daylight harvesting in smart public lighting systems

Global warming concerns, along with international agreements and regulations, reflect a broader effort to change the public's high energy demand in recent years. Smart public lighting systems are gaining popularity due to their energy-saving capabilities, reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, and improved public comfort. However, transitioning to smart public lighting requires careful planning and multiple stages. This is not only to accommodate public behavior, revise scenarios, and test citizen acceptance but also due to the necessary infrastructure investments. Smart public lighting incorporates new technologies, often with a breakeven point that takes several years to reach. To promote the widespread adoption of smart public lighting, it is essential to produce relatively expensive components in large quantities and explore cost-effective solutions. This research focuses on investigating a cost-effective photoelectric sensor for smart public purposes. The primary originality of this study lies in identifying a cost-effective photoelectric sensor that can replace technically equivalent but more expensive sensor solutions for indoor and outdoor lighting control purposes.