In this era of vehicles, most of the businesses have become dependent on a well-lit parking lot. Be it a shopping center, office complex, or any other commercial property, keeping the clients and employees safe is of great importance. A parking garage is not only a practical area of your business but also an important element of your business safety. To make sure that the parking lot is well-lit and safe at all times, one of the most practical & inexpensive ways is to install solar parking lot lights.
Placing an order for commercial solar parking lot lights should be considered major in the semi-permanent profitability, but the benefits in the long run surpass the cost. Solar parking lot lights do not require monthly electrical expenses since they obtain sunlight for illumination. This alternative energy is again very clean and sustainable and can deliver high performance as a lighting system with minimal operating costs. There is a growing trend of solar parking systems in businesses as a change to greener solutions is taking place.
Choosing the right solar parking lot lights for your new or existing installations is no easy task. Several factors have to be put into consideration. In this guide provided to you by DEL, we will address all aspects that revolve around choosing the right lights including the functions of important elements and the development of a suitable lighting plan for your business.
1. Passive Infrared (PIR) Motion Sensors
Enhancing Energy Efficiency with PIR Sensors
Perhaps one of the most remarkable features of solar parking lot lights is the use of Passive Infrared (PIR) motion sensors. These sensors help preserve battery life and manage the power consumed by light by controlling its brightness or turning it off when no movements are detected. In the absence of motion, the light is dimmed or even turned off, while on the approach of a vehicle or a person, the light is turned on by the sensor.
PIR motion sensors detect the emission of infrared radiation from objects which are warmer than absolute zero. Hence, the sensors can also detect people, vehicles, or even animals. This is an important feature for solar parking lot lights as it maximizes battery runtime and minimizes illumination. Learn more about fixing PIR sensors by clicking on the المقال مفصل.
How PIR Sensors Improve Safety
Apart from the primary goal of energy savings, a PIR sensor device also serves to increase the security of your parking lot. For criminals, turning on the lights can serve as a form of deterrent because they cannot be able to go into areas that are poorly lit. In this case, particularly active lighting for pedestrians and vehicles reduces traffic accidents by making it easier to find one’s way around the parking area.
Finally, a solar parking lot light fitted with a PIR sensor does not only conserve energy but also serves the purpose for which the parking area is designed of protecting it.
2. Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
Why LEDs Are the Best Choice for Solar Parking Lot Lights
When it comes to solar parking lot lights, the preferred technology for brightening up these facilities has always been the use of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) owing to their low power consumption, longer lifespan, and higher light output than their conventional counterparts. Unlike المصابيح المتوهجة, for example, sodium vapor lamps or LEDs are much more efficient as electric light converters that generate minimum heat and are more sustainable.
In simple terms, led lights have tiny microchips inside them that create light when electric charge passes through. Therefore, their energy saving feature comes in handy as they are powerful bulbs but consumes less power than standard bulbs. Therefore when equipped with led capabilities, solar-powered parking lot lights further minimize battery drainage at night or at periods of low or no sunshine.
Long Lifespan and Low Maintenance
The durability of the LEDs in solar parking lot lights is one of the major selling points. In customary bulbs, the internal parts get exhausted and burn out, but the readymade (LED) lights instead related with the base Shell experience human visibility lumen depreciation, due to gradual lesser brightness for long periods instead of total failure. Such gradual decline helps to prolong the life of the lights, reducing their turnover and sustaining the operational expenditure.
Furthermore, another reason for using LEDs is their ability to function indoors or outdoors even in unfavorable environmental conditions such as those present in solar parking lots. They can bear vibration, shock and change in temperature allowing them to work in many weather conditions.
As a result, when you choose LED based solar parking lot lights, you are guaranteed of extremely bright and energy efficient lights which can run for a long time, with minimum upkeep and uniform brightness all through. You can learn more about the solar lights through this article.
3. Understanding the Luminaire
What Is a Luminaire?
A luminaire is a term used to refer to a lighting fixture such as an LED lamp that encompasses the light source (s), light housing, protective prescription aids, and more. In particular for solar parking lot lights, the luminaire ensures all light is efficiently utilized while observing safety and regulation requirements.
Protective enclosures for luminaires provide mechanical defense for the light source from external influences such as dust, water or wind. They serve to collimate light and restrict its distribution pattern to a particular area (parking area) in such a way as to avoid back dark areas or excessive bright spots
Compliance with Local Regulations
To choose a luminaire suitable for your solar parking lot lights, it is necessary first to observe the zoning requirements and design guidelines concerning the street lighting system. In most cities, there are specific provisions regarding the distribution of light, allowed vertical illuminance, and the height of the poles so that parking areas are not overly bright and do not create light pollution. These regulations may also include limitations on how long the lights are allowed to be turned on, how the lamps are allowed to face, and how far apart the poles will be placed.
Where these provisions are followed in the selection of a luminaire for solar parking lot lights, the local codes and the safety and functionality requirements for the solar parking lights are met.
4. Luminaire Efficacy
Measuring Luminaire Efficacy
فعالية الإنارة is an industry term which describes the efficiency of a fixture in relation to the amount of light output from the fixture in relation to the input energy. The common unit of measurement is the lumen per watt rating (lm/w). It’s simply the total light output in lumens over the electric energy consumption
Luminaire efficacy also helps contributing factors when making a choice of which solar parking lot lights to buy. They ensure that the lights are performing efficiently by providing the maximum volume of light at minimal energy usage. Low powered efficient luminaires also help save up the power that is stored in the solar battery hence the lights can last longer into the night.
The Importance of Light Distribution
With solar parking lot lights, it’s not just about the brightness, but actually how that light is distributed. Having all the light in one area and rendering other areas poorly lit by a solar parking lot light is wasteful. Measures should be taken in designing the solar parking lot lights so that they evenly distribute light throughout the area so that there are neither any dark areas nor excessively brightly lit areas that may be uncomfortable and make visibility poor.
When viewing light-menstrual cranes, do not ignore the models that even lumens banal consequences. By doing so, you ensure that your parking lot is well lit with no wastage of energy.
5. Creating a Solar Parking Lot Lighting Plan
Why Planning Is Essential for Solar Parking Lot Lights
There are a few steps that need to be considered before looking for and installing the solar parking lot lights, one of them being making a light plan. This one also considers the current lighting requirements of the parking lot, how many light fixtures will be required, the height of the poles, as well as the areas needed for illumination.
Making use of a lighting plan guarantees that the solar parking lot lights will be arranged in such a way that there will be no dark corners in the parking area and no pole and car collisions. It also shows you where to place the lights so that you will not waste much energy but still manage to cover all the areas that need to be lit.
Consider the Quantity and Quality of Lights
The number of solar parking lot lighting depends on your parking area size; however, every parking lot has lighting considerations depending on its size, location and volume of movements. There are various factors that make each parking facility unique, and one of them is the lighting. Factors such as CCT and illuminance must be implemented uniformly across the lot in order for it to perform its functions fully.
In high traffic areas and large parking spaces it is probable that more intense luminaries would be affixed on august poles. In instances of limited parking lots or residential parking areas, then less intense or fewer lights would be the solution. Additionally, offering lights with timers or backward lights with sine-angle allows energy conservation.
It is important to take into consideration that if some of the particulars of a parking lot are examined well in advance, you will choose more solar parking lot lights and their use will be rational.
6. Levels of Illumination
Recommended Illumination Standards
Footcandles (fc) measure the standard of illuminance required for a parking lot’s lighting design, as they refer to the amount of light that reaches a given area. This criterion may not be the same for all areas in the parking lot as they are utilized for various purposes. For instance, parking spaces, driveways, and pedestrian paths require different lighting levels.
For most parking lots, there has been an optimal ratio of factors of illumination in any bright and that of the darkest places that are 4 to 1. This means the brightest spots will, at best, be four times brighter than the least bright spots of the area. In high-security areas or in busy lots a 3 to 1 ratio may be more sufficient for security reasons as well as for visibility.
The Role of Color Temperature
Apart from taking care of the illumination levels, another important factor that you will need to take into account is the color temperature of the lights. Color temperature is given in degrees Kelvin (K) and refers to the quality of light. It has been proposed that outdoor parking lots should have lights with a color temperature of 4000K to 6000K. This is because this range provides a bright, white light that enhances visibility and safety.
In deciding on the different illumination levels and color temperatures, you guarantee that your solar parking lot lights will emit the best lighting in terms of security and functional aspects.
7. Solar Panel and Battery Combination
Choosing the Right Solar Panel and Battery for Your Solar Parking Lot Lights
The solar parking lot lights are effective depending on how well the solar panel and the battery can work. The solar panel will harness the sunlight energy during the sun hours and store the energy in the battery which helps to switch on the lights at night. As a result, it is very important to buy a solar panel that is strong enough to completely charge the battery in one day, as well as a battery strong enough to keep the lights on even when night falls for a long time instead of just to mask.
For solar parking lot lights, the milliampere-hour (mAh) capacity of the power battery which measures energy retention of the battery can also be critical. Batteries are of great importance especially in areas where there are fewer hours of daylight.
تعظيم كفاءة الطاقة
It is important to balance the battery and solar panel to the energy needs of the luminaire. In case the light uses too much energy, the battery may drain before nightfall. An overly big panel and battery would be an overkill and thus, expensive.
With the proper specification of the solar panel and battery interdependence, there is always supply of power to the solar parking lot lights.
8. Maintenance and Long-Term Benefits
Low Maintenance and Long-Term Cost Savings
Low maintenance is one of the main advantages attached to solar parking lot lights. Erecting electrical posts and burying underground wiring, as many conventional lights require, is not the case for solar lights. They also reduce the chances of electrical damage. LEDs are also widely used in solar parking lot lights and have a very long operating life thus reducing maintenance low.
Environmental and Financial Benefits
Aside from the little spending throughout their life span, another benefit of solar parking lot lights is that they lead to substantial savings on monthly electricity costs. After all, electricity comes from sunlight and no one is charging for the solar energy because it is replenishable. The only operational expenses after the installation is maintenance which includes the actual cleaning and replacing of certain parts like the battery.
Also, organizations putting in place solar parking lighting take away energy waste and thus help to protect the environment. A business can rely on energy harnessed from the sun thereby minimizing the total amount of energy used and joining the fight against global warming.
خاتمة:
It is necessary to clarify that the proper selection of solar parking lot lights is a choice that will directly affect the safety, energy effectiveness, and environmental protection of your business. Some of the factors that should be considered when selecting a lighting solution for your parking lot include the PIR motion sensors, LEDs, luminaires, efficiency, and light levels within the space.
The advantages of using solar parking lot lights range from cutting down energy expenditure to enhancing security and promoting ecological principles. Walther installing lights in new parking lots or adding to already existing ones with the solar powered parking technology, would always be worth the money to your business.
If you would like more information or begin your solar street lighting project please contact ديل today and begin your free inquiry!
الأسئلة الشائعة
1. What are solar parking lot lights?
Solar parking lot lights, as the name proposes, are lights made for parking lots that utilize solar energy for working. Some of the components of such systems include solar panels, batteries, LED lights, street lighting pole among others. These light systems are self-contained, as they do not depend on grid powers. The photovoltaic panels generate electricity during the course of the day which is captured in batteries and used for lighting in the night.
2. How do solar parking lot lights work?
running water, as well as, natural sunlight. In the morning, the solar has the conventional lighting panels light in the evening hour, all the energy required is supplied by stored energy in batteries. Usually, the light fittings are recessed in bulkhead and the efficient LED nighttime lighting is usually timed or motion sensors to shut them. During daytime these parts can be modulated to collect power from the power grid and then distribute that same electricity at night through incandescent bulbs.
3. Are solar parking lot lights cost-effective?
Of course, solar parking lot lights help save costs over time. Though it is observed that the first cost of installation is likely to be more than any other conventional lighting system, once solar lights are installed, no lighting costs will be incurred over time plus less maintenance will be recorded. In some other places, solar lighting systems are qualified for some tax incentives or rebates, and this too serves to bring down the initial expenses.
4. Can solar parking lot lights work in cloudy or rainy weather?
Yes, solar parking lot lights have proven that they can work even when it is cloudy or rains. It is true that even on cloudy days, the solar panels do receive some sunshine, although not as much as in bright sunny days. Also, the battery packs the surplus energy produced during sunny days and thus the bulbs can light up for several nights even when there is not enough sunlight for days. Proper planning should be done to arrive at weather patterns of the installation site to make sure that the system is optimal throughout the year.
5. How do solar parking lot lights enhance security?
Solar parking lot lights enhance security by illuminating even the most remote areas of the parking lot, making it much easier for both pedestrians and vehicles to see. Adequate lighting helps prevent opportunistic crimes, like petty theft or vandalism, by providing no shadows or secluded spaces where nefarious activity goes unnoticed. In addition, solar motion lights will allow energy to be spared in terms of light usage while effectively providing an added measure of security by signaling movement within the vicinity.
