Against the backdrop of global efforts to achieve carbon neutrality, solar street lights have emerged as a popular choice in the field of road lighting due to their energy-saving and environmentally friendly characteristics. These lights utilise solar energy to generate electricity, eliminating the need for complex power lines. This not only significantly reduces installation costs but also markedly lowers long-term operational electricity expenses. Statistics show that using solar street lights can reduce energy costs for road lighting by 60%–80%.
With continuous technological advancements, the application scenarios for solar street lights are becoming increasingly diverse. From bustling urban streets to remote rural paths, from scenic tourist areas to large parking lots, solar street lights play a crucial role in various settings. In recent years, the global solar street light market has grown at an annual rate of 15%, becoming a key component of smart city construction and rural revitalisation strategies.
However, the market offers a wide variety of solar street light products, with varying quality. Incorrect choices may result in poor lighting effects that fail to meet actual needs; or reduced equipment lifespan, leading to frequent replacements and additional costs; or high maintenance difficulties, increasing manpower and financial investments. Therefore, mastering scientific selection methods is crucial for ensuring the smooth implementation of projects and achieving long-term benefits.
Brightness Requirements: Different road scenarios have significantly varying requirements for lighting brightness. Generally, urban main roads with high traffic volume and fast vehicle speeds require higher light intensity, so streetlights with a luminous flux of 3,000–5,000 lm are recommended; while rural roads and residential area roads can meet requirements with 1,500–3,000 lm brightness. Additionally, areas with high pedestrian density and special sections like curves and intersections should also have appropriately higher brightness standards.
Lighting duration: Plan the operating time of streetlights based on local daylight hours and the frequency of cloudy or rainy weather. In areas with ample sunlight, a standard lighting duration of 4–6 hours is sufficient; however, in regions with frequent rain or fog, products with a continuous operating capability of over 72 hours during cloudy or rainy weather should be selected to ensure normal operation under adverse conditions.
Coverage Range: The coverage range of streetlights is closely related to installation height and lamp angle. Generally, for every 1-metre increase in pole height, the lighting radius can be expanded by 2–3 metres. Additionally, selecting appropriate lamp beam angles (e.g., 60°, 90°, 120°, etc.) can ensure more uniform light distribution across the target area and avoid lighting blind spots.
Solar panels: The mainstream solar panels currently available on the market include monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, and thin-film solar panels. Monocrystalline silicon solar panels have the highest conversion efficiency, reaching 23%–25%, but they are relatively expensive; polycrystalline silicon solar panels have a conversion efficiency of approximately 18%–20%, offering excellent cost-effectiveness; thin-film solar panels feature good low-light performance, lightweight, and flexibility, making them suitable for scenarios with limited installation space. When selecting panels, it is essential to consider local sunlight conditions, budget, and installation requirements.
Batteries: Lithium-ion batteries and lead-acid batteries are commonly used energy storage devices for solar street lights. Lithium-ion batteries have high energy density, long lifespan (with a cycle life of 1,500–2,000 charge/discharge cycles), low self-discharge rate, and are more environmentally friendly, but they are more expensive; Lead-acid batteries are more affordable but larger in size, heavier in weight, have a relatively shorter lifespan (approximately 300–500 charge-discharge cycles), and pose environmental pollution risks. For long-term projects, lithium-ion batteries offer a clear advantage.
LED light sources: Luminous efficacy (lm/W) is a key indicator of LED light source energy efficiency, with high-quality products achieving over 180 lm/W; colour rendering index (CRI) reflects the accuracy of object colours under lighting, with a general requirement of no less than 70; light decay affects the lifespan of the light source, so it is recommended to choose products with light decay of less than 5% after 1,000 hours to ensure long-term stable lighting performance.
Climate Conditions: Significant climate differences across regions impose varying requirements on the protective performance of solar street lights. In high-temperature areas, products with high-temperature resistance and good heat dissipation performance should be selected; in extremely cold regions, it is essential to ensure that the street lights can operate normally under low-temperature conditions, with batteries and electronic components functioning properly; in rainy areas, street lights with a protection rating of IP65 or higher should be chosen to prevent water ingress and damage to internal components.
Installation Environment: Buildings and trees along urban roads may block sunlight, affecting the power generation efficiency of solar panels. Therefore, installation locations with no significant obstructions should be selected. In rural areas, factors such as wind, sand, and dust should be considered, and solar panels should be regularly cleaned to maintain optimal performance.
Wind resistance rating: Select lamp posts that meet the corresponding wind resistance standards based on local wind conditions. In coastal areas and regions with strong winds, the wind resistance rating of lamp posts should be no less than 12; in general inland areas, a wind resistance rating of 10 is sufficient to meet requirements.
Urban road lighting has high requirements for intelligence and aesthetics. It is recommended to choose high-pole intelligent streetlights equipped with remote control modules, which can be controlled via a mobile app or management platform to achieve centralised control, scheduled on/off, brightness adjustment, and other functions, facilitating management and energy savings. Additionally, pedestrian and vehicle detection functionality can automatically enhance brightness when detecting pedestrians or vehicles, improving safety. Furthermore, the design of the streetlights should blend with the urban landscape, with modern, sleek-lined products recommended to enhance the city's image.
Rural roads typically have limited budgets and are relatively inconvenient to maintain. Therefore, the focus should be on selecting cost-effective streetlights, prioritising cost-effectiveness and long battery life. Such streetlights do not require complex smart functions but must have stable and reliable performance and a long service life. Simple installation methods (such as integrated design and wireless installation) and low-maintenance features (such as self-cleaning solar panels and long-life batteries) are also important considerations, as they reduce usage costs and maintenance difficulties.
Solar street lights in parks and scenic areas must not only meet lighting needs but also serve an aesthetic and decorative purpose. Emphasis should be placed on landscape lighting effects, with unique designs and soft lighting, such as wood-textured lamp posts and artistic lighting fixtures. Adjustable lighting functions can create different atmospheres to meet varying needs during daytime and nighttime, as well as on holidays and regular days. Additionally, lighting colours and brightness should harmonise with the surrounding environment to avoid light pollution and protect the ecological environment.
Parking lot and residential area lighting prioritises uniformity and safety. Select streetlights with anti-glare design to prevent direct exposure to strong light, protecting the eyes of drivers and pedestrians. Intelligent energy-saving modes are also important considerations, automatically adjusting brightness based on foot and vehicle traffic to further reduce energy consumption. Additionally, streetlight installation locations should be reasonably planned to ensure no lighting blind spots, guaranteeing safety within the area.
Selecting well-known brands is an important guarantee of product quality and service. Prioritise brands with a longer history and good market reputation. You can understand the actual usage effects of their products through online reviews, customer cases, and industry forums. At the same time, pay attention to the brand's investment and achievements in technological innovation. Brands with more patented technologies often have advantages in product performance and quality.
A quality supplier should offer end-to-end services from pre-sales to after-sales. During the pre-sales phase, a professional technical team should provide detailed design solutions and technical consultations based on project requirements. For after-sales support, clear warranty periods (typically no less than 3 years), rapid repair response times (e.g., within 24 hours), and a comprehensive maintenance support system ensure that issues arising during lamp operation are resolved promptly.
Products must possess relevant international certifications, such as CE certification (compliant with European safety standards), RoHS certification (restricting the use of hazardous substances), and UL certification (U.S. safety certification), to ensure product quality and safety. Additionally, verify the company's production qualifications and quality management system certifications (e.g., ISO 9001) to assess its production management capabilities and quality control standards.
The prices of solar street lights vary significantly depending on the brand, configuration, and functionality. Basic models may range from several hundred to several thousand yuan, while high-end intelligent models can cost over ten thousand yuan. When comparing prices, it is essential to clarify the specific parameters and configurations of the products to avoid prioritising cost over quality. Additionally, customisation requirements (such as special design or integrated functions) will increase procurement costs, necessitating advance budget planning.
Long-term operating costs include energy savings, maintenance expenses, and battery replacement costs. While solar street lights offer significant energy efficiency advantages, batteries—as consumable components—require regular replacement. Lithium-ion batteries typically have a replacement cycle of 5–8 years, while lead-acid batteries last 2–3 years. These costs must be factored into the budget. Additionally, considering maintenance frequency and difficulty, selecting low-maintenance products can further reduce long-term operating costs.
For projects with limited budgets, basic lighting needs should be prioritised, and cost-effective products selected; when budgets are sufficient, higher performance and intelligence levels can be pursued. Overall, the total life cycle cost (LCC) of the product should be comprehensively considered, prioritising cost-effective products rather than solely pursuing low prices to ensure long-term investment benefits.
The installation quality of solar street lights directly impacts their performance and lifespan. Foundation construction must strictly adhere to design requirements to ensure the lamp posts are securely installed; solar panels should face true south (in the Northern Hemisphere), with tilt angles adjusted according to local latitude (generally ±10° of local latitude) to optimise sunlight exposure. Additionally, ensure proper wiring connections to prevent short circuits and electrical leakage risks.
Daily maintenance primarily involves cleaning dust and debris from the surface of the solar panels to ensure adequate sunlight exposure; regularly inspecting battery status to prevent overcharging or over-discharging; and checking the luminaires and lamp posts for damage, loosening, or other issues, and promptly repairing or replacing them as needed. Additionally, follow the product manual’s recommendations to conduct comprehensive inspections and maintenance on the streetlights at regular intervals to extend their service life.
Selecting the appropriate solar street light requires comprehensive consideration of lighting requirements, core component performance, environmental adaptability, brand suppliers, cost budgets, and installation and maintenance. Through scientific analysis and rational selection, it is possible to ensure that the street lights meet actual needs while achieving long-term stable operation and maximising economic benefits. If you are planning a solar street light project, please contact our professional team. We will provide free design solutions and technical consultation services based on your specific needs to help you select the most suitable products.
