How do Solar Street Lights Work and What are Their Components?

Solar street lights are an eco-friendly and innovative source of lighting the streets without harming the environment. They work by harnessing the power of the sun and offer a sustainable alternative to conventional street light systems. In this blog, we will understand how these solar street lights work and what are their main components.

Working of Solar Street Lights

Solar lights are a renewable source of energy that converts sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic panels. 

1. These panels are also called "solar panels" and are generally installed on the top of each pole so that they get sufficient sunlight.
2. They absorb sunlight and convert it into direct current electricity during the daytime. 
3. It is then stored in rechargeable batteries that are installed near the pole. These batteries are a pool of energy that makes street lights work during low sunlight, cloudy days, or at night. 
4. Once the sun is set and sunlight levels decrease, a controller (sensor) attached to the solar street lights detects it and activates the light fixture. 
5. The energy stored in the batteries is converted into alternating current electricity and power the LED bulbs. 
6. The light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs emit bright light and illuminate the streets for motorists, pedestrians, etc. 
7. The intensity of the light can be easily adjusted with the help of sensors to reduce energy usage and save it for later.

Main Components of Solar Street Lights

Photovoltaic or Solar Panels

They are the main components that capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. They are made of photovoltaic cells that generate electricity after exposure to sunlight. 

There are generally two types of solar panels: mono-crystalline and poly-crystalline. The conversion rate of mono-crystalline panels is much higher than poly-crystalline. The LED light solar panels have a lifespan of around 25 to 30 years.

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Batteries

Solar street lights come with rechargeable batteries that store the energy generated by solar panels. They ensure the smooth running of the street lights during low or no sunlight. Modern LED solar street lights systems use either lithium ion or LiFePO4 batteries. 

Both batteries have good backup capacity and durability. However, lithium batteries are lightweight and compact making them the ideal choice for solar street lights.

LEDs

LED bulbs are the light source of solar street lights. These bulbs are highly durable, bright, and offer high efficiency. They also consume less energy compared to compared to fluorescent and incandescent lamps. The LED technology helps the bulbs deliver much higher lumens using less energy and emitting almost zero ultraviolet rays.

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Controller

A sensor or controller is installed to regulate the operation of the solar street light system. It monitors the ambient light level and activates the light fixture accordingly. A controller is also responsible for the charging and discharging of the batteries to monitor energy usage. 

When the charging process stops at dusk, the controller prevents the backflow of electricity from the battery through the solar cells. PWM and MPPT are commonly used controllers in an outdoor solar street light unit.

Pole for Solar Street Light

The light pole provides support to mount the solar panels and LEDs with other components of solar street lights. These poles are made from steel or aluminum to tolerate harsh weather conditions and to maintain their durability for a longer time. 

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Experience high control with our Smart 200W Solar Street Lights, featuring 20,000 lumens and Smart App Control for personalized lighting modes and brightness adjustments. It can be easily managed through your mobile device or remote control.

Conclusion

Solar street lights offer a sustainable and cost-effective solution for lighting the streets and public places. With this blog, you have now understood the working process and components of solar street lights. Switch to renewable sources of energy to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels and also educate others.