Florida Solar Company Develops Sea Turtle Friendly Lights

A Palm City Florida solar company, SOL Inc.,  has developed a new light that protects sea turtles from distraction while nesting on Florida beaches. Sea turtle hatchlings are attracted reflections of light off water to make the trip from their nests to the ocean but they can be easily distracted by bright lights from buildings on or near the beach. 

According to Sol President and CEO Rick Schuett, the lights use amber light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, with a wave length that sea turtles can’t see.  “It’s not the color of the light that makes it work, it’s the wave length. Amber light has a longer wave than white light.”

Sol donated and installed two of its lights in the parking lot of the Florida Oceanographic Society’s Coastal Center on Hutchinson Island in Stuart.  In addition, Martin County provided a $11,000 grant to install three more of the lights. 

According to Cris Wagner, director of education and exhibits at the coastal center, “During the nesting season (March through November), people find a hatchling or two in nearby parking lots almost weekly.  Hatchlings make their way farther than most people think.”