A solar street light system is composed of a light, a solar panel, a battery, and a solar street post on which all the equipment is mounted. In order to manufacture a high quality street light system, it is important to pay heed to the design of every component.
Usually more attention is given to the design of the panel and battery while the requirements of the solar street post are ignored. However, solar street post lights are highly dependent upon the quality of the pole on which they are mounted, because a weak or low quality post affects both operation and overall lifespan.
This article covers the parameters that matter in the manufacturing of poles for solar street post lights. Before choosing a supplier, review our all in one solar street lights to see how post and fixture design are matched.
1. Material
One of the most important considerations is the material of the solar street post. Materials commonly used include iron, steel, aluminium, Q235, and Q345. Concrete is also used in some solar street post lights systems.
Various other materials are used depending upon the requirements of the user. Different materials have different properties, and the performance of the whole system depends on those properties.
Steel grades such as Q235 and Q345 suit most projects, combining strength with reasonable cost. Aluminium is lighter and corrosion resistant, which suits coastal sites at a higher price.
2. Height
The second important parameter is the required height of the solar street post. Different users have different height requirements, so this factor has to be settled during the design process.
When greater height is required, it also has an impact on the material used in manufacturing as well as on other design features. Taller posts need thicker walls and deeper foundations to remain stable under load.
Height should be chosen from the lighting plan rather than from budget. Pole spacing and road width determine the height that gives even coverage across the surface without dark gaps between units.
3. Thickness
The third feature in designing a post for solar street post lights is wall thickness. Usually the thickness ranges from 1.8mm to 14mm, as different customers require different specifications depending on their use.
The thickness requirement also depends upon the weight of the light and panel that has to be supported. Careful consideration should be carried out in this regard in order to make the most appropriate decision.
Under specifying thickness to save cost is a false economy, because a post that flexes in strong wind will loosen fixings and shorten the service life of everything mounted on it.
4. Shape
Different post shapes are used depending upon the requirements of the lights as well as the decorative needs of the location where they will be installed.
In most cases three shapes are popular, which are conical, octagonal, and customised. Conical and octagonal shapes are used most often, but when a decorated post is required then customised shapes are considered.
Customers should decide on shape before ordering, since it affects both tooling cost and lead time.
5. Arm Type
Usually street lights are supported on the arms of the post, which project on either side. There are different types of arms available so that solar street post lights can be mounted on them.
In most cases the arm types used include single arm, double arm, and triple arm. The number of arms depends upon the requirement of the user and the number of fixtures that have to be installed.
It is also possible to design more than three arms where a greater number of lights have to be supported on a single solar street post. Our solar lighting project checklist covers how to work out arm configuration from your road layout.
6. Surface Treatment
Posts are usually given a surface treatment in order to enhance their properties and appearance. The treatments carried out on a standard solar street post include hot dip galvanization and electrostatic spraying.
Hot dip galvanization is the more durable of the two, forming a zinc layer that protects the steel for decades even in humid or salty air. Electrostatic powder coating is often applied over galvanization where a specific colour finish is required.
Customers should research the different surface treatments available and decide which suits their environment before confirming an order.
7. Colour
The colour of the solar street post is another important consideration and should be decided before placing an order for manufacturing.
Darker finishes hide dust well in urban settings, while lighter greys suit open highways. In heritage areas the local authority often specifies the colour, so confirm this early.
8. Wind Resistance
Solar street post lights have to face severe wind, so it is highly important to manufacture the post while considering this factor, providing the proper structural mechanisms so the assembly can withstand heavy wind pressure.
The panel acts as a sail, which means the wind load on a solar street post is considerably higher than on a conventional lighting column of the same height. Foundation depth, base plate size, and bolt specification all have to reflect that additional force.
Ask your supplier for the wind speed rating of the post in metres per second and confirm it exceeds the recorded maximum for your region.
9. Welding Standard
The welding of the different parts of a solar street post is highly important, because these posts have to perform for many years. If there is any fault in the welding then they will not be able to operate for a long period.
A high standard of welding should therefore be maintained during manufacturing. Continuous seam welds at the base plate carry the greatest stress and deserve the closest inspection.
Conclusion
There are a number of different parameters that need to be considered in the manufacturing of a solar street post. Customers should make a comprehensive assessment of their requirements before placing an order so that they acquire high quality results.
Use the parameters defined in this article to make the most appropriate choices for your site. Browse more guides on our solar LED street light blogs hub, or contact us to discuss your specification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What height is standard for solar street post lights?
Most installations use posts between four and nine metres. Residential paths sit at the lower end while main roads and car parks generally need seven metres or more.
Which material lasts longest?
Hot dip galvanized steel offers the best combination of strength and corrosion resistance for most environments, typically lasting twenty five years or more without significant maintenance.
How deep should the foundation be?
Foundation depth depends on post height, wind rating, and soil type. As a rough guide, allow around one metre of depth for every six metres of post height, then confirm with your supplier.
Can an existing post be reused for a solar fixture?
Sometimes, but only after checking wind load. A solar unit adds panel area and weight, so an old column rated for a small lamp may not be safe once converted.
What wind speed rating should I ask for?
Look for a rating that comfortably exceeds the highest recorded wind speed in your area. Coastal and typhoon prone regions usually require a specification above forty metres per second.
