Purple lights
to replace these streetlights.”
Acuity Brands Lighting, the manufacturer of the LED lights, has agreed to pay for the replacement lights. FPL did not provide a number of lights that they have replaced or still need replacement in Palm Beach County.
FPL said it began noticing the purple streetlights in the summer of 2022 and that the manufacturer estimated that only 1% of the streetlight component is malfunctioning. There is no danger to drivers.
The science behind the white to purple light change
LED lights are made of a blue LED light combined with the yellow phosphor that produces white light. In the Acuity lights, the phosphor coating has been degrading, caused by age, heat and temperature change. That has exposed the blue LED light that has a purple and violet tint to it.
The majority of streetlights, however, are not affected so it is a rare sight.
Just east of the Hypoluxo and Jog Road intersection in Lake Worth Beach, the city replaced its entire fleet of 4,000 streetlights in 2016 and 2017, according to Utilities Director Ed Liberty. It was part of the city’s massive energy conservation project.
Liberty said Lake Worth Beach is using Lumec and Leotek manufacturers and has not heard of any reports of purple streetlights in the city.
FPL says because the affected lights were installed on different dates, it will take time to locate all of the faulty lights and replace them. To report streetlights displaying a purple color, the company suggests calling 1-800-4OUTAGE or go to FPL.com/streetlight.
James Coleman is a journalist at the Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at jcoleman@pbpost.com and follow him on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @JimColeman11. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.