Solar Street Light Basic Knowledge:

To put it bluntly, a solar street lamp is a self-sufficient lighting system. It does not have to be connected to the mains like traditional street lamps, but relies on solar panels to generate electricity from sunlight, then stores the electricity and discharges it at night to illuminate the road.

Its core components are actually quite simple, just a few:

1. Solar panels: This is the “main power”, responsible for converting sunlight into electricity.
2. Battery: Like a “charging treasure”, it saves the electricity generated during the day for a rainy day.
3. Controller: This is the “brain”, which manages charging and discharging, ensures that the battery will not be overcharged or overdischarged, and can also control the switching time of the light.
4. LED lamps: yes, is our common LED lights, energy saving and efficient.
5. Pole: The “skeleton” that supports all the components above “.

The working principle is actually well understood: during the day, solar panels absorb sunlight, convert light energy into electrical energy, and then charge the electrical energy into the battery through the controller. At night, when the light is dimmed, the controller will direct the battery to discharge and light up the LED lights to provide us with lighting. It is so simple, but full of wisdom.

What Are The Advantages Of Solar Street Lights?

As an industry insider, I personally feel that the advantages of solar street lights are simply obvious, and more and more recognized by everyone.

First of all, the biggest bright spot is environmental protection and energy saving, not one! Do you want to ah, it absorbs solar energy during the day, discharge lighting at night, the whole zero electricity! This not only can greatly save operating costs, more importantly, it does not produce carbon emissions, is really friendly to the environment. This is the perfect solution in the context of the global promotion of green development.

Installation is really easy, second. Traditional street lights have to lay complex underground cables, which have to dig trenches and wiring, which is a large amount of work and high cost. What about solar street lights? Basically, it’s just setting up a pole, putting all the parts on and it’s over. Save the trouble of trenching wiring, installation cycle is short, the cost of natural down.

Then there’s his independence. This thing does not rely on mains electricity, so whether it is in remote areas of the city, or in mountainous areas and villages that are not covered by mains electricity at all, it can show its talents. Think about those places that used to be “dark”. Now that there are solar street lights, the quality of life will be improved. The social benefits brought by this are huge.

Maintenance costs are relatively low, of course. Compared with traditional street lights, solar street lights because the structure is relatively simple, and there is no risk of complex line failure, so the daily maintenance to a lot of worry. Although batteries and lamps also need to be checked and replaced regularly, in general, it is much easier than traditional street lights.

The last point, which is also very important, is safety. Solar street lights use low-voltage DC power supply, which fundamentally eliminates the risk of electric shock. Especially in public places, security is undoubtedly a priority.

In general, these advantages of solar street lights make it occupy an increasingly important position in the field of modern lighting. Of course, no technology is perfect, and it has its own challenges, but that’s what we’ll talk about next.

How to choose the right solar street light for you?

We all know that shopping can not be blind, solar street lights are the same. I have seen too many customers, because they know little about the technical parameters, and the products they finally bought back are either too bright or too dark, or they “strike” on rainy days “. Therefore, before purchasing, there are several key factors that we must make clear.

Buy key factors:

1. Brightness Demand (Lumens/Wattage): This matter has to be based on your actual needs. If you light your own courtyard, it must be different from lighting municipal roads. Generally speaking, I would advise customers to measure the size of the lighting area first, and then consider what kind of lighting intensity you need to achieve. For example, community parks may need softer light, but industrial parks or parking lots need to be brighter to avoid safety issues. Don’t just look at the wattage, now many lamps lumen efficiency is very high, low wattage can also produce high brightness, so the lumen value is a more accurate reference.
2. Lighting duration and battery capacity: it can be said to be the “heart” and “blood” of solar street lights “. The battery capacity directly determines how long the lamp can be lit and whether it can withstand continuous rainy days. There is a simple calculation method, but the actual operation will be a little more complicated, because the local sunshine duration, system loss and so on should be considered. I usually estimate the required battery capacity based on the amount of time the customer requires to light each night (such as 6 hours, 8 hours or 12 hours) and the expected standby time for rainy days (such as 2-3 days). Remember, I ‘d rather buy a bigger one than let the lamp fall off the chain at a critical moment.
3. Solar panel power: This is the “generator” that charges the battery. Its power size directly affects the charging efficiency. If the power of the solar panel is too small, the battery may not be fully charged, especially in winter or cloudy weather, and the battery life will be affected. Therefore, the power of the solar panel must match the battery capacity and the power of the lamp holder to ensure the efficient operation of the system.
4. Intelligent control system: the current solar street lamp is not silly big black thick goods, many with intelligent control. Light control (automatic light in the dark and automatic light in the morning) is standard, and time control (setting which time period is on, which time period is off, and even halving the brightness in the middle of the night to save electricity) is also very useful. Some will also have the function of human body induction, which is usually slightly bright, and only when someone passes by will it be fully bright, which is both energy-saving and convenient. Personally, I think these smart features have really played a big role in improving user experience and extending battery life.
5. Waterproof and dustproof grade (IP grade): Well, street lamps, perennial outdoor wind, sun and rain, waterproof and dustproof grade is too important. Generally, we recommend choosing IP65 or above, which means that it can effectively prevent dust from entering, and can also resist water spray in various directions, and can deal with general rain and sandstorms. If the environment is particularly harsh, such as seaside or heavily polluted areas, a higher level of protection may have to be considered.
6. Material and structure: the material of the lamp pole and lamp cap shell is directly related to the service life of the street lamp. Aluminum alloy, galvanized steel, etc. are more common high-quality materials, they can resist wind and rain erosion, to ensure the stability of the structure. Surely you don’t want to see 1 lamp rusty and even the pole wobble after a few years?
7. Brand and quality assurance: it is too important to choose a reputable and powerful brand. A good brand usually means more reliable product quality, better after-sales service and longer warranty period. Once there is a problem with the product, you can find someone to solve it instead of complaining.

Different application scenarios recommend:

• Rural roads: I usually recommend integrated solar street lights, which are easy to install, low maintenance, and moderate brightness, taking into account budget and practicality.
• Community Park: The light requirements of this kind of place are relatively soft, and some aesthetics may be needed at the same time. You can consider the garden lamp style solar lamp, or with human body induction function, usually keep slightly bright, safe and energy saving.
• Industrial park: high requirements for brightness and long lighting time. Split solar street lights are a better choice. The solar panels and lamp holders can be adjusted independently to obtain the best sunlight, and the battery capacity can also be made larger.
• Parking: Similar to industrial parks, high brightness, long-term lighting, and to ensure that no dead ends. It can be combined with the monitoring system to choose solar street lights with intelligent control and human body sensing functions.

In-Depth Analysis: The Most Concerned Issues Of Users

How long do solar street light batteries last?

This is one of the most asked questions. To put it bluntly, the battery is the “heart” of the solar street lamp, and its life directly determines how long the street lamp can be used and whether it is good or not.

The main factors, I think there are a few points:

• Battery type: This is the most important. There are mainly lithium iron phosphate batteries on the market and lead-acid gel batteries. We are now basically pushing lithium iron phosphate. Why? Because lithium iron phosphate is really “can play”. It has many cycles, high energy density, and is safe and stable. Although lead-acid gel batteries are cheaper, their performance and life can’t be compared.
• Charge and discharge cycles: The battery is not infinite charge and discharge, it has its own “life cycle”. A good lithium iron phosphate battery can have 2000 cycles or more, which means it can withstand more “toss”.
• Use ambient temperature: the temperature has a great influence on the battery. Too cold or too hot will affect the efficiency and life of the battery. The ideal operating temperature range is important for batteries.
• Maintenance: Although the solar street lamp is claimed to be maintenance-free, regular inspections, such as cleaning the panel, are still helpful to the health of the battery.
• Battery quality: Needless to say, you get what you pay for. Big brands and guaranteed batteries are definitely more reliable.

Specific lifespan, let’s say a general:

• Lithium iron phosphate battery: Under normal circumstances, it is no problem to use 5-8 years, and some can even run for more than 10 years. I have seen many projects that have been installed for many years, and now they are still running well, basically thanks to lithium iron phosphate.
• Lead acid gel battery: is generally 3-5 years, some may be shorter. Therefore, in order to consider in the long run, I personally strongly recommend lithium iron phosphate.

The advice to extend life is actually quite simple:

• Avoid overcharging and overdischarging: a good controller will help you with this and prevent the battery from “eating” or “starving”.
• Maintain the appropriate working temperature: This is an objective condition, but when designing, try to consider heat dissipation and heat preservation.
• Regularly check the cleaning: some external factors that may affect the performance of the battery are excluded.

How to fix solar street light not working?

The street lamp is not bright, this is definitely the most troublesome problem. Don’t worry, let’s check step by step, most of the time it’s not a big problem.

Common fault diagnosis steps, my experience is this:

1.Check the solar panels:

• Are there any dust, bird droppings, leaves or anything like that? This is the most common.
• Is the connection line loose? Have you been damaged by the wind and the sun?
• Is the panel itself damaged?

2.Check the battery:

• Is the battery aging? This requires a professional tool to measure the voltage.
• Is the connecting line connected properly and corroded?

3.Check the controller:

• Is the indicator light on the controller normal? Some controllers have a fault code display.
• Is the line from the controller to the battery, to the lamp holder and to the solar panel loose?

4.Check the LED lamp beads:

• Is there a lamp bead burned out? Although the LED life is long, but there are individual off the chain.
• Is there any problem with the connection line inside the lamp holder?

5.Check the wiring:

• All connecting lines should be carefully checked for damage, exposure and short circuit. Especially in hidden places.

Simple exclusion method:

• Cleaning the panel: This is where 90% of the problems may be.
• Re-plug the cable: poor contact can sometimes be solved.
• Check fuses: There will be fuses in some systems to see if they are blown.

When to seek professional help:

If all the above methods have been tried, the street lamp is still “on strike”, or you find that it involves circuit board and battery replacement, which requires professional tools and knowledge, then don’t hesitate to contact the supplier or professional maintenance personnel. Don’t mess around on your own, you may cause bigger problems.

What are the limitations of solar street lights?

To be honest, solar street lights are not perfect, it does have some “short board”. We must face up to these limitations in order to better choose and apply.

• Light dependency: This is the core limitation. If you encounter continuous rainy days, or winter sunshine time is short, the charging efficiency will definitely drop, and the lighting time will be affected. I ‘ve seen some places where rainy days are a headache, so you have to make the battery and panel configuration bigger, and the cost will naturally go up.
• The initial investment is high: the initial purchase cost of solar street lights is indeed higher than that of traditional city lights. Mainly solar panels, batteries and controllers of these core components of the price. But in the long run, it saves electricity and wiring costs, and can “earn back” the difference later “.
• Battery life problem: The battery is a vulnerable part (we have discussed in detail in Part A). Although lithium iron phosphate has a long life, it still needs to be replaced, which will increase long-term maintenance costs.
• Environmental constraints: Not all places are suitable for installing solar street lights. For example, in some cloudy and foggy places, or where there are tall buildings and trees around, the effect will be greatly reduced if the solar panels do not receive enough light.
• Theft Risk: The problem does exist in some areas. Because the battery and controller are usually installed under the light pole or in the box, the value is higher and it is easy to become the target of criminals. Now many manufacturers will consider anti-theft design, but there are still some risks.
• Energy density limit: solar street lights may be inadequate in some special scenes that require ultra-high brightness or long-term uninterrupted lighting. To achieve that effect, it may require extremely large batteries and solar panels, and the volume and cost are difficult to control.
• Temperature sensitivity: Both extreme high and low temperatures can negatively affect the performance and life of batteries and electronic components. Although there is a design to deal with, it is still a factor that needs attention.

The Correct Installation Is Important: This Is A Technical Job!

First of all, the installation of this thing, really want to pay attention! I have seen many projects with a lot of investment in the early stage. As a result, the efficiency is greatly reduced due to improper installation. The most critical points, I give you carry out:

• Solar panel orientation and inclination: This is like finding the best “sun” position for solar panels. We must determine the best orientation (usually due south or south) and inclination according to the local latitude and seasonal changes. If the board is not facing the sun and absorbs less energy, the lights may not be on at night or soon. This is not just a 1 pendulum, it has to be calculated and adjusted professionally.
• Avoid it: This is important! A tree, a building, any little shadow will seriously affect the power generation efficiency of solar panels. I once saw a case where the effect of street lamp installation was not good, only to find that the new wall beside it blocked the sunlight. Therefore, the site selection must take into account the future occlusion factors, not just look at the present.

Daily maintenance guide: small details, big role!

Don’t think everything will be fine once it is installed. Daily maintenance is as essential as a physical examination.

• Regularly clean the solar panels: dust, bird droppings, leaves, these will be like putting sunglasses on the solar panels, blocking the absorption of sunlight. Therefore, regular use of water to wipe, keep the board clean, this is the most basic and most effective maintenance. Generally speaking, it is almost enough to clean it once every 1 to the 3 month, and it may be more frequent in dusty places.
• Check the battery connection and status: The battery is the “heart” of the solar street light, and its health directly determines the life and performance of the street light. We usually check whether the battery box is well sealed and whether the connecting wire is loose or corroded. If possible, check the voltage and capacity of the battery with professional equipment to see if there are any signs of aging.
• Check the lamps, controllers and cables: these are the “nervous system” of street lights “. Whether the lamp is on or not, whether it flashes; whether the controller works normally and whether the parameter settings are correct; whether the cable is damaged or aged. All these need to be checked regularly. Small problems should be found and solved early so as not to cause major failures.
• Wind-proof and anti-theft measures: in some areas with strong wind or poor public security, wind-proof and anti-theft measures must also be taken into account. Reinforcing the installation structure, or doing some anti-theft treatment on key components, can reduce unnecessary losses.

Extend the life of the product professional advice: a rainy day!

If you want to use solar street lights for a long time, in addition to daily maintenance, you have to be a little “predictable”.

• Choose the right product: high-quality products are the foundation. Choosing batteries, controllers and lamps that have been rigorously tested and have brand guarantees 1 the beginning can save a lot of trouble in the later period.
• Regular testing and evaluation: We usually recommend that it is best to have a regular testing and evaluation mechanism. For example, once a year, conduct a comprehensive performance test on all street lamps, record data, analyze trends, and find potential problems in time, rather than wait until something goes wrong to repair it. This is just like us, regular physical examination is better than going to the hospital after getting sick.
• Environmental adaptation considerations: the climatic conditions vary greatly in different regions. For example, in high temperature areas, the heat dissipation of the battery is critical; in cold areas, the low temperature performance of the battery must be paid special attention. Therefore, in the early stage of installation, local environmental factors should be considered and more adaptable products and solutions should be selected.