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How Can Solar Street Lights Benefit Us?

By Alice

Published On: September 28, 2023

Table of Contents

More and more people are showing interest in solar energy as a reliable source of street lighting due to the multiple benefits it offers, including energy savings, lower costs, and reduced dependence on the power grid. Street lighting is significantly improved with the support of this sustainable energy source.

A solar street light system consists of several components, including solar panels, batteries, sensors, controllers, and LED lighting. Fully understanding the benefits of solar street lights is essential for long-term benefits.

DC LED STREET LAMP
solar powered street light

1. What is a Solar street light?

Solar street lights provide illumination with the help of sunlight. These street lights are powered by collecting solar energy through solar panels. This method is feasible as solar panels can be mounted on lamp posts or other structures to capture sunlight. During the day, the batteries are charged through the panels which then provide power to the street lights during the night.

2. How do solar street lights work?

The use of solar energy has been around for quite some time now and is currently used to power various devices as well as the buildings we live and work in. Solar street lights also fulfill the same objective. Due to its superior performance and efficient features, solar lighting has become the preferred alternative for outdoor lighting. Solar street lights can be installed in any public place.

MKLIGHTS provides high quality lighting solutions for playgrounds, schools, parks and other public places. There are many different types of solar street lights to choose from that can be used for lighting, decoration and other applications. By adopting solar street lights, people can significantly reduce environmental pollution while promoting the use of sustainable energy.

3. What are the Advantages of solar street lighting systems?

While there are many benefits of solar street lights, here are some of the best reasons to choose solar lighting:

3.1 Lower cost of solar street lights

It is worth noting that the replacement cost of solar street lights is much lower than that of traditional street lights. While the initial installation costs may be higher, solar streetlights are a smarter investment option when considering the lower long-term usage and maintenance costs.

3.2 Solar Streetlights Improve Community Safety

Solar streetlights do not require external electrical connections, thus reducing the risks associated with power lines, such as fire and electric shock. In addition, in the absence of conventional lighting in remote areas, solar streetlights improve the overall safety of the community, allowing residents to move around more safely at night.

3.3 Wide range of applications for solar street lights

Solar LED street lights can be used in both commercial and residential areas. They are suitable for airport parking lots, highway lighting, overpass lighting, and commercial use. These lamps can also be used to illuminate neighborhoods or local children’s playgrounds. One of the many advantages of solar streetlights is that they are non-polluting, safe, reliable and easy to deploy.

3.4 Solar street lights help reduce carbon footprint

If you are an environmentalist who cares about preserving natural resources, then solar street light alternatives may be of interest to you. According to the Rhodium Group, greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. increased by about 1% in 2022 compared to the previous year. And U.S. households have a carbon footprint that is five times the global average. By installing solar streetlights in neighborhoods and commercial areas, you can significantly reduce the carbon footprint and mitigate the environmental impacts associated with street lighting.

3.5 Solar streetlights have a longer lifespan

Traditional streetlights have a lifespan of only 5,000 hours. In the event of a power interruption, traditional streetlights may go out until power is restored. Solar street lighting solutions have a much longer lifespan, they continue to illuminate even during power outages and system failures, and they consume less electricity.

4. What points should you pay attention to when choosing outdoor solar lights?

4.1 Clarity of use

Before making a purchase, clarify how you plan to use the solar light. Do you need it to provide security lighting or are you looking for an aesthetically pleasing decoration? Depending on the purpose, design and function, the most suitable product will vary.

4.2 Brightness Requirements

Understand the lumen (brightness) rating of your solar light. Lumens are the current standard unit of brightness and are more accurate than traditional watts. For example, a typical 40-watt incandescent bulb produces 300 to 500 lumens of brightness. an LED bulb can produce the same amount of brightness while consuming only 3 to 5 watts of electricity.

4.3 Types of Solar Panels

Solar panels are commonly used to supply electricity for solar lights. The following are two common types of solar panels:

A.Monocrystalline solar panels:

Monocrystalline solar cells are the basic building blocks of monocrystalline solar panels, they are bulky and tough but excel in efficient power generation.

B.Polycrystalline solar panels:

Polycrystalline solar panels are manufactured by fusing together multiple pieces of silicon crystals. They are heavy and hard, similar to monocrystalline silicon, but economical.

4.4 Battery type

Consider the type of battery for your solar light to ensure that it will still function properly at night or on cloudy days. Lead-acid and lithium batteries all have their advantages and disadvantages.

4.5 Charging and Runtime

Find out how long the solar light will take to charge and how long it will run continuously. Some solar lights come with powerful batteries that can run all night long, while others may require more frequent charging.

4.6 Bulb type

LED bulbs are the most energy-efficient option, offering long life and high efficiency. They are more energy efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional fluorescent lights.

4.7 Features and Accessories

Consider the features and additional functions of the solar light according to your needs, such as light-controlled switches, microwave sensing, and so on.

4.8 Useful Life

Find out the expected service life of your solar light, consider the quality of the batteries and solar panels, and whether a manufacturer’s warranty is offered.

4.9 Adaptation to the environment

Consider the climate and sunlight in your area, as this will affect the performance and lifespan of the solar light.

To summarize, choosing the right outdoor solar lights requires careful consideration of your needs, budget, and the environmental conditions in your area. Understanding these points will help you find the best solar lighting solution for you.

5. Conclusion

Solar street lights are excellent lighting solutions that have a long and reliable lifespan. It provides you with a quality light source that can fulfill all your needs and illuminate a wider area. These street lights can operate autonomously, eliminating your maintenance worries. It is also a safer option for people while keeping the environment in mind. It has an adjustable light source that can be set to the optimal angle to capture the maximum amount of sunlight. In addition, their battery capacity is quite impressive, allowing you to extend your lighting time without having to worry about running out of power.

Author

Alice
Lighting Specialist

As a sales engineer at MK Lighting, I have been in the LED lights industry for more than 13 years. Good at lighting design, light system configuration, and bidding technology support. Feel free to contact us. I’m happy to provide you with the best service and products.

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