Solar technology application has become popular over the past few years. This technology is used in vehicles, to power buildings and in LED streetlights among other devices. However, special attention is needed when it comes to solar street lights. You must have an eye to detail on the system designs and its integrated components. This article provides a detailed overview of solar streetlights design and components.
Smart Solar Streetlight Design
A smart solar streetlight is made up of different parts. The functional off-grid system is dependent upon the quality of every single component, the management of the streetlights and the technology used. Often, it is not easy to choose a solar streetlight based on their specifications. You must have good knowledge of solar street light design before making an order. The components to consider include:
- Solar panels
- LED light
- Solar Rechargeable Battery
- Remote Management Software
- Monitor Sensor
- Interconnecting Cables
Solar Panels
Solar panel on streetlights is designed to absorb energy from the sun during the day. The energy is then utilized by the off-grid system to power the LED lights when night comes. There are two types of solar panels; the monocrystalline and the polycrystalline panels. While choosing the best solar panel, you must consider:
- Number of solar panels
- Total wattage of the panel
- Type (mono or polycrystalline)
- Mounting on the pole
LED Light
Solar panels use LED technology because they use far much less energy than light bulbs. The most appropriate led lights are those with low wattages since they use less energy while providing high luminosity levels and no emission of UV. Specifications for a solar streetlight LED lights include the following;
- Luminosity per wattage
- Fixture mounting height
- Specific lamination area
- Type of light fixture
- Light distribution pattern
Solar Rechargeable Batteries
The primary function of the battery is to store energy to be used by the LED lamp. The most important aspect of the battery is its capacity and lifetime. A good battery has a temperature probe to regulate battery’s performance. The three types of solar rechargeable batteries to choose from include:
- Led acid battery
- Absorbed glass matt battery (AGM)
- Gel cell deep cycle battery
Remote Management Software
You can manage, monitor and maintain solar streetlights through the cloud software. With the load management and the weather forecasting algorithms, it is possible to set up and change the profiles of the lights in real-time. This software monitors the streetlights off-grid during the days and nights.
Monitor Sensor
This is one of the most critical parts present in the solar street light system because it provides light when movements are registered. It gives you the option of setting the lights to switch on automatically when moving objects such as vehicles or pedestrians are detected. The primary purpose of this technology is energy conservation at night.
Interconnecting Cables
The LED fixtures, battery box, and the solar panel are interconnected with the cables. The length and size of the cable are dependent upon the current that goes in the light and the height of the pole. While coming up with a street light proposal, you need to specify:
- The interconnecting cables
- Installation manual with the procedures for connecting the cables.
Conclusion
Choosing the best solar street lights is not an easy task unless you have the know-how. Nevertheless, you must consider all the above if you want to have solar streetlights that meet all your needs including efficiency and energy conservation. With the right knowledge, choosing will not be an issue.
