The Five Components of a Solar Street Lights and Their Working Principle

A well-liked and creative way to economically and sustainably light public areas is with solar street lights. However, aside from manufacturers and distributors, very few people are familiar with the principles underlying solar street light operation. Although most of us are unable to explain their components, we are aware that they produce light at night. Come along as we examine the basic principles of solar streetlights and dissect the five key elements that contribute to their efficacy.

Overview of Solar Street Light

Rechargeable batteries power most solar streetlights, which are mounted on lighting structures. Photovoltaic panels are used by streetlights to recharge their batteries. The LED lights are run by batteries at night. Furthermore, some solar street lights feature sensors that allow the panels to automatically turn on and off when they detect outside light with the help of the light source. This is how solar street lights operate. This optimises efficiency and aids in energy conservation.

Working Principle

The concept of how solar street lights operate is straightforward. Photovoltaic cells in solar street lights are what turn the energy from the sun into electrical power. The semiconductor materials used in the device make it easier to convert solar energy into electrical power. The process of converting energy is referred to as the “photovoltaic effect.” Solar batteries are used to store the electrical energy. The solar cell board will open the circuit voltage of about 4.5V if the illumination drops to 10lux. The charge and discharge controller will then decide how much voltage is transferred from the battery to other components of the street light system. Furthermore, it is well known that the charge and discharge controller guards the battery.

Solar Street Light Components

It’s not enough to understand how solar street lights operate; you also need to become familiar with their parts. The main elements of this type of street light are as follows.

Solar panel

Without a solar panel, the working principle of a solar street light is ineffective. Stated differently, this constitutes a crucial component of every solar street light. The solar energy must be converted into electrical energy by the solar panel. There are two types of solar street lights: monocrystalline and polycrystalline. The conversation rate of a monocrystalline solar panel is typically far higher than that of a polycrystalline one.

Lighting Fixture

Today, LED technology powers the majority of solar street lights, according to research. As a result, it would be incorrect to discuss the operation of solar street lights without bringing up LED technology, which enables the solar street lights to produce greater lumens while consuming less power. The LED fixture has a 50% lower rate of energy consumption than the HPS fixtures.

Rechargeable Batteries

The solar street light operating principle is dependent on solar street rechargeable batteries, just like that of the light fixture. These batteries are used to store solar-generated electricity during the day. Lead-acid and gel cell deep cycle batteries are typically the two types of batteries used in solar street lights.

Smart Features

Three clever characteristics are present in sophisticated solar street lights:

• Motion Sensor: A motion sensor built into advanced solar street lights allows them to detect movement when it comes within range. The light automatically turns on at full brightness when it senses movement. To save energy, the light dims after a few seconds of inactivity.
• Light Sensor: The solar street light’s light sensor has a sensitivity range of 10 to 15 lux. This implies that the sensor will automatically turn on the LED light when the ambient light level falls below this threshold.
• Remote Monitoring: Another feature of solar street lights is the ability to monitor them remotely. This implies that the user can use a computer or mobile device to remotely check on the functionality and state of the street light.

Pole

Since panels, fixtures, and sometimes batteries are mounted on them, sturdy poles are crucial to the operation of solar street lights.

Advantages of installing Solar Street Lights

Cost Savings

Solar lights don’t require grid electricity because they are powered by the sun. This could lead to a significant drop in energy bills.

Energy Independence

Since solar street lights run off the grid, they are perfect for isolated or off-grid areas where installing conventional electricity sources may be prohibitively expensive or impossible.

Low Operating Costs

Solar lights require little upkeep and are inexpensive to operate once installed. Compared to traditional street lights, which may require regular maintenance and bulb replacements, they require less upkeep.

Automatic Operation

Sensors that measure ambient light levels are built into solar lights. They save energy by turning on automatically at dusk and turning off at dawn, giving steady illumination all night long.

Top 7 Benefits of Solar Street Lights

Positive Environmental Impact

Traditional street lights produce more carbon emissions and consume more energy because solar street lights use renewable energy sources rather than fossil fuels.

Due to the absence of trenching for cables and external power sources, they minimise environmental disruption during installation and maintenance, allowing the installation of solar lights in remote and environmentally sensitive areas like National Parks and significant archaeological sites.

Smarter Technology

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs), a type of solid-state lighting that has outperformed traditional lighting technologies in terms of energy efficiency, lifetime, versatility, colour quality, and cost competitiveness, are the light source found in the majority of contemporary solar-powered street lights.

Solar street light operators can set up lighting schedules, gather information about the energy usage, temperature, and efficiency of each fixture, and receive real-time alerts about various issues such as malfunctions or connectivity issues by using smart technology.

Cost-Effectiveness

Solar street lights last nearly seven times longer, consume less energy and provide better, more direct light than traditional incandescent or high-pressure sodium (HPS) lights.

Since there is no need for external electricity, there are significant savings over the light’s lifespan and, in most cases, no maintenance costs or expensive monthly energy bills. The light’s original cost is typically reduced to zero.

Increased Lifespan

The typical rated lifespan of conventional street lights, such as incandescent, fluorescent, mercury vapour, metal halide, and high-pressure sodium, ranges from 2,000 to 29,000 hours.

With a rated lifespan of between 15,000 and 50,000 hours, solar-powered LED lights are a better option than conventional lighting.

Higher Reliability

Regardless of power outages, grid failures, power interruptions resulting from natural disasters, and numerous other factors that may affect the proper operation of grid-dependent traditional street lights, solar-powered street lights can run continuously throughout the night.

Fast & Simple Installation

In comparison to traditional street lights, the majority of contemporary solar street lights feature integrated solar panels, batteries, motion sensors, and control modules. This eliminates the need for digging trenches for power lines or other infrastructure, making deployment and installation simpler and faster.

Reduce Insect Swarming

Insects use light in the ultraviolet and infrared wavelength ranges to navigate and find food. When compared to traditional light sources, most LED lights emit very little light in the UV spectrum, making them less appealing to bugs.