There is a whole new range of solar LED Street lighting making their presence felt all around the world. Alongside being environmentally friendly, these lights give high-intensity LED output and are quite easy to install. Solar LED street lights effectively convert sun energy into electricity and the system is automatically prompted to turn on the lights as darkness approaches following sunset. Subsequently, these lights are also tuned to switch off after sunrise.
How Solar Led Street Light Works? – Components of a Solar Street Light
If you were looking to install a solar street light, you would be wondering what all comes with the system. There are many components which make up a solar street light. Take a look at the components which typically make up for a solar street light system. However, components in the solar street lighting system may differ from one manufacturer to the other.
Solar Panel Assembling Process
This is made up of three main parts. The hardware, the mounting bracket, and the solar panel assembly. There is a procedure to be followed and you just cannot simply stick a solar panel on the pole. You will require brackets and mounting apparatus to make this possible. The basic solar panel comprises a framework, glass, and solar cells. Apart from this, the mounting solar bracket assembly is required to be installed on the solar panel to attach to a pole. An aluminum bracket with stainless steel hardware can ensure that the assembly will stand the test of time. Harsh environments can be prone to degradation and rust.
Solar Battery Assembly
This includes the battery along with the wiring that is needed to hook to the light fixture and the solar panel assembly. Lithium-ion batteries are the best for solar street lights that we can get today. Typically, the solar battery needs to be sized for five days autonomy at least in order to provide a longer lifespan. Solar battery assemblies are usually housed within a vented aluminum box so as to provide heat ventilation. This assembly is preferably located under the solar panel so that they do not get overheated. When the solar battery assembly is correctly sized, it would only require maintenance every five years or more.
Solar Light Controller
Controls of the solar streetlight are typically located inside the battery box. These provide the automatic on and off functionality of the solar street light system. For customization of runtimes, these controls also operate the correct profile of the system. These controls also provide a Low Voltage Disconnect (LVD) for times when the battery gets drained to a critical point. This is to ensure that the battery never ever goes down to zero. This functionality will also increase the life of the battery system. There are many project-specific light control options. Choose the one according to your requirements.
Outdoor Solar Light Fixture
LED fixtures nowadays are the most popular pairings to go with the solar street light assembly. However, this should provide the required light levels on the ground underneath for proper visibility and efficient lighting. Picking on the right type of fixture and distribution pattern that will be able to give the right level of light will ensure and fulfill your requirement. LEDs generally broaden the range of style of fixtures available for solar street light. It also provides better lighting at a lower wattage.
Fixture Mounting Bracket
This bracket is required for mounting the fixture onto a pole for a set strength. The size of the normal pole bracket ranges from 5 to 24 inches. The side of pole bracket usually is 4 to 8 feet, but in some instances goes up to 12 to 15 feet if needed. The fixture mounting bracket will be helpful in setting the fixture out away from the pole. This provides light where it is needed on the ground. At the same time, it provides the setback of pole off the roadway where it can stand. Fixture mounting bracket can be straight, upsweep or be decorative depending upon specific requirements.
Solar Street Light Pole
This is the last component of the solar street light system. It needs to be strong enough to support the solar street light assembly and tall enough to mount it. The solar street light pole should ensure that it is mounted at the correct height for an optimum light spread on the ground. In certain regions, the pole may also have to meet wind load requirements along with the solar. Solar street light poles are available in concrete, fiberglass composite, steel, and aluminum. It can either be directly buried or could be anchor based.
Understanding what it takes to produce a solar street lighting system will enable you to choose exactly what you want. Latest models of solar street lights have provision for remote monitoring. Other versions which also allow for surveillance have a camera fit into the system. Nevertheless, the basic purpose of a solar street light is to provide lighting after dark. However, for any type of good solar street lights, all components should seamlessly fit together and work efficiently for years.