In solar street light online stores, there are various kinds of solar street lights. Nevertheless, not all of them will meet your lighting needs. Before buying a solar street light online, certain factors need to be considered, for instance, features, components of a solar street light, types, and pros and cons. Our list of the 10 things about the best solar street lights is a helpful companion read before you buy.
Apart from being raised light sources, solar street lights are also powered by photovoltaic panels, which are on the lighting structure. The rechargeable battery, which is charged by the photovoltaic panels, supplies power to the LED lamp or fluorescent lamp at night. For a deeper look at how these work, see our post on the solar street light working principle.
Features
A solar street light turns on and off by automatically sensing the outdoor lighting using the light source. Solar street lights have been designed in such a way that they work effectively at night. If the sun is not available for some days, a solar street light can stay lit for some nights. Old solar street lights incorporated lamps that did not have LED or fluorescent technology. In windy regions, the installation of solar street lights is done using flat panels with the aim of better coping with the wind.
The most recent designs of solar street light online products are known for using wireless technology as well as fuzzy control for the battery to be managed. A good number of solar street lights using this technology are known for operating as a network, with all lights having the capability of turning the light network on and off. Discover more in our post on the 9 benefits of solar light remote control technology.
Components of a Solar Street Light
A solar street light has five essential parts:
1) Solar Panel
Among the essential parts of the solar street light is the solar panel. The solar panel converts solar energy into electricity. A solar street light online is known for having either a mono crystalline panel or a poly crystalline panel. As compared to poly crystalline, the rate at which a mono crystalline panel converts solar energy into electricity is much higher. Learn more in our post on what photovoltaic street lights are.
2) Lighting Fixture
For the modern solar street light online, LED is the lighting source since it provides much higher lumens with the least energy consumption. The LED fixture’s energy consumption is around 50% lower compared to the HPS fixture that is widely used as the lighting source in most street lights. LEDs do not have a warm up time; hence, they use motion detectors for extra efficient energy gains. Our comparison of HPS lights vs LEDs in outdoor solar street lamps explores this in depth.
3) Rechargeable Battery
Most solar street light batteries are effective when it comes to storing electric energy during the day from the solar panel and providing the energy to the fixture at night. The battery’s life cycle is essential to the light’s lifetime, and the battery’s capacity affects the light’s backup days. The solar street light online uses two common types of batteries: Lead Acid Battery and Gel Cell Deep Cycle Battery, though modern lithium ion options are increasingly popular. Our 10 tips to maintain your solar street light battery help extend battery life.
4) Controller
When purchasing a solar street light online, you should note that controllers are very significant. The controller is responsible for switching the lighting on and off and managing charging. Certain modern controllers use programs to allow users to determine the appropriate time for dimming, charging, and lighting. Learn more in our post on the solar street light controller.
5) Pole
When purchasing a solar street light online, ensure that it has a strong pole, especially one with components that need to be mounted on top: the fixture, panel, or battery. When selecting the pole, you need to consider wind resistance. Our 9 factors for choosing solar power light poles can guide this decision.
Solar Street Light Online: Types
If you intend to buy a solar street light online, it is important to note that most street lights have their own photovoltaic panels, which do not depend on other street lights. Alternatively, some installed panels act as central power sources in different locations, and they are meant for supplying electric energy to several street lights.
Pros
Independent of the utility grid, a solar street light online has a cheap operating cost. Just like other street lights, a solar street light online has its advantages:
- Compared to traditional street lights, solar street lights require less maintenance.
- The possibility of accidents is minimized because external wires are always eliminated.
- Solar street lights do not pollute the environment.
- Some parts of this kind of light can be carried to remote places.
Cons
- Unlike conventional street lights, a solar street light’s initial investment is always higher.
- Since the equipment cost is relatively higher, the risks of theft are higher.
- Dust and snow can combine with moisture and accumulate on horizontal PV panels, reducing or even stopping energy production.
- Over the fixture’s lifetime, rechargeable batteries will need to be replaced several times.
Tips to Remember When Buying a Solar Street Light Online
It’s essential to consider various factors to ensure you make an informed decision when buying a solar street light online. These include:
- Determine Your Requirements: Assess the area you want to illuminate. Also consider the brightness (measured in lumens) required for the space. Our guide on how to calculate the distance for LED solar area lights helps here.
- Check Solar Panel Capacity: Ensure the solar panel has sufficient capacity to charge the battery efficiently. Look for high quality photovoltaic cells that can convert sunlight into electricity effectively.
- Battery Capacity and Type: Opt for a street light with a durable, high capacity battery to store energy for extended periods. Lithium ion batteries are generally preferable due to their longer lifespan and better performance.
- LED Quality and Wattage: Choose LED lights with high lumen output for better brightness. Check the wattage and ensure it aligns with your illumination requirements.
- Motion Sensor and Lighting Modes: If security is a concern, consider a solar street light with a motion sensor for automatic activation. Check for different lighting modes (e.g., dim mode, full brightness mode) to suit various needs. See the 8 benefits of a solar sensor street light.
- Weather Resistance: Ensure the solar street light is designed to withstand various weather conditions, including rain and extreme temperatures. Look for lights with an IP65 or higher rating for water and dust resistance.
- Installation and Maintenance: Verify that the installation process is straightforward and within your capabilities. Check for user friendly designs that simplify maintenance tasks.
- Durability and Build Quality: Opt for street lights with robust materials that can withstand environmental elements and potential vandalism. Read customer reviews to gauge the product’s durability and reliability.
- Warranty and Customer Support: Choose a product with a reasonable warranty period to safeguard your investment. Check the availability of customer support and after sales services.
- Compare Prices and Reviews: Compare prices from different sellers to ensure you are getting a competitive deal. Read customer reviews and ratings to understand the experiences of other buyers. Our post on the 8 ways that affect solar street light price explains what drives cost.
- Check Certification and Standards: Look for solar street lights that meet relevant industry standards and certifications, ensuring safety and performance.
- Solar Street Light Brand Reputation: Consider purchasing from reputable and well known brands to increase the likelihood of getting a high quality product. Our guide on how to choose the best solar street light factory is worth a read.
Conclusion
Buying a solar street light online is one of the most convenient ways to upgrade your outdoor lighting, provided you weigh the features, components, types, and buying tips covered above. Del Illumination Company Limited is famous for applying LED technology in its solar street lights. If you find it difficult to get the best solar street light online, you should seek assistance from specialists. Through specialists, you will get to know the different kinds of solar street lights sold online that meet all your lighting needs, and how to repair and maintain them. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, investing in quality solar equipment delivers strong long term savings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What should I look for when buying a solar street light online?
When buying a solar street light online, look at the solar panel capacity, battery type (lithium ion is best), LED lumens and wattage, weather resistance (IP65 or higher), motion sensor options, warranty, certifications, and brand reputation. Comparing prices and customer reviews also helps you make an informed decision.
2. Which battery is best for a solar street light online?
Lithium ion batteries are generally the best choice for a solar street light online due to their longer lifespan, higher efficiency, and better performance. Lead acid and gel cell deep cycle batteries are also common, but they typically need replacing more often.
3. Are solar street lights bought online reliable?
Yes, a solar street light online can be very reliable if you choose a quality product from a reputable brand with proper certifications and a good warranty. Reliability depends on the panel quality, battery capacity, weatherproof rating, and build quality, so always check reviews before purchasing.
4. What IP rating should a solar street light online have?
A solar street light online should have at least an IP65 rating, which protects against dust and low pressure water jets. For harsher or flood prone environments, IP66 or higher offers stronger protection and better long term durability.
5. Is a solar street light online worth the higher upfront cost?
Yes. Although a solar street light online has a higher initial investment than traditional lighting, it eliminates electricity bills, requires less maintenance, has no external wiring, and is environmentally friendly making it more cost effective over its lifespan.