Solar Street Light – Ultimate FAQs Guide

With the development of technology, new ways of producing electricity are evolving. Solar energy is one of them.

It is the conversion of natural energy (sunlight) to electricity. It is a cost-effective way to save the environment.

Do you want to brighten up your roads and streets with this eco-friendly natural way of lighting?

We will provide you all the required information regarding solar powered street lights. Read the article and find out answers to your queries related to solar street lights.

1. What is a solar street light?
2. What is the application of a solar street light?
3. How Do Solar Street Lamps Know When to Come on?
4. What Is the Lumen Efficiency of a Solar LED Street Light?
5. At What Wattage Does Solar Street Light Work?
6. What Are the Advantages of Solar Street Lamp?
7. Are There Any Disadvantages of Solar Street Lamps?
8. What Are the Components of a Solar Street Light?
9. Is Solar Street Light Water-Resistant?
10. Are Solar Street Lights Scratch-Proof?
11. Are Solar LED Street Lights Rotatable?
12. What Is the Lifespan of a Solar Street Light?
13. Can a Solar Street Light Sense Motion?
14. How to Install a Solar Street Light?
15. Can Lithium-Ion Batteries Be Used in Solar Street Lights?
16. Can I Use Ordinary Batteries in My Solar Street Light?
17. What Are the Different Types of Solar Street Lights?
18. What Are the Features of Solar Street Light (Y-Series)?
19. What Is the Difference Between Solar Street Lights and Traditional Street Lights?
20. Can I Replace Regular Street Lights with Solar Street Lights?
21. Do Solar Lights Charge on a Cloudy Day?
22. What Is the Effect of Cold Temperature on Solar Street Lights?
23. What Does the Indicator Light on the Solar Street Light Show?
24. Why Do Solar Street Lights Blink?
25. How to Troubleshoot My Solar LED Street Light?
26. How Much Does Solar Street Light Cost?
27. Can I Convert My Electrical Street Light to Solar Street Light?
28. What Is an Integrated Solar LED Street Light?
29. What Is an All-in-One Solar Street Light?
30. Does Solar Street Light Stay on All Night?
31. What Is the Beam Angle of a Solar Street Lamp?
32. Why Do My Solar Lights Have on/off Switch?
33. Who Is the Best Solar Street Light Manufacturer?
34. How to Maintain a Solar Powered Street Light?
35. How Can I Make My Solar LED Street Lights Brighter?
36. What Is the Ideal Height of a Solar Street Light Pole?
37. Is Solar Street Light Remote Controlled?
38. Are There Any Solar Street Lights Available with CCTV Cameras?
39. What Is a Double-Arm Solar Street Light Pole?
40. What Is the Standard Distance Between Two Solar Street Light Poles?
41. How Much Area Does a Solar Street Light Cover?
42. What Is a Smart Solar Street Light?
43. Can Solar LED Street Lights Be Used in Homes?
44. Do Solar Street Lights Enjoy a Warranty Period?
45. Are Solar Powered Street Lights CE Certified?
46. Can I Get a Customized Solar Street Light?
47. How Can I Source Solar Street Lights From China?

1.    What Is a Solar Street Light?

Solar panels use solar energy to charge batteries. These batteries give power to the light. The street lights that are powered by solar panels are called solar street lights.

Solar street lights have solar panels either on their structure or pole-mounted. You can use LED or fluorescent light as a solar street light.

Solar powered street lights can use solar energy directly into the daytime. Or, they store the energy in the batteries for night use.

Solar street lamps are eco-friendly lights that need less maintenance. It is an easy-to-install light as you don’t need electricity wires for the connection.

It is suitable for roads, streets, and squares that are away from grid stations. You can easily brighten up every area without the hassle of wiring and connections.

2.    What Is the Application of a Solar Street Light?

You can use solar street lamps anywhere because you don’t need to worry about the electrical connections. Utilize solar street lights as:

• Road lighting
• Street lighting
• Highway lighting
• Airport lighting
• Playground lighting
• Industrial lighting
• Security lights
• Parking lights
• Lights at commercial places
• Farmhouse light
• Resorts lighting solor
• Luminaires for mining areas
• Remote area lighting
• Island lighting

3.    How Do Solar Street Lamps Know When to Come on?

A photoresistor (photocell) is a sensor that is attached to the solar street light. The photoresistor stops the light from coming on during the daytime. The battery continues to charge in the daytime.

As soon as the photoresistor senses little or no light, it lets the battery give the solar street light power.

4.    What Is the Lumen Efficiency of a Solar LED Street Light?

Most solar LED street lights can produce 100lumens/watt or more. It means 20W and 100W solar LED street lights can produce 2,000 and 10,000 lumens, respectively.

The increased amount of LED chips on the light increases the lumen efficiency of solar powered street lights. Therefore, some solar LED street lights can also produce 130lm/w, 150lm/w, 60lm/w, 180lm/w, and 210lm/w.

5.    At What Wattage Does Solar Street Light Work?

The whole range of solar street lights is available in 20 – 180 watts. Are you thinking, what wattage shall I choose?

The answer is simple you can choose the wattage of a solar LED street light according to the pole length.

For example, a 4 – 5-meters high pole is suitable for a 20W solar LED street light. Similarly, an 8-meter high pole is appropriate for 60W solar powered street lights.

6.    What Are the Advantages of Solar Street Lamp?

Solar energy is the rapidly growing electricity source around the world. Facts say that around 100GW of the world’s capacity was added by the solar power system in 2018.

There must be some good reasons people adopt solar street lights to illuminate their highways and streets.

• It is easy to install.
• You don’t need a grid station to connect your solar street light to it.
• The absence of electricity wires reduces the chance of accidents.
• It requires less maintenance.
• Solar street lights are eco-friendly.
• You can easily transport your solar street lamp. (it has separate parts)
• It is cost-effective as you don’t need electrical wiring and connections.
• No electricity bills as the battery get its charging from a natural source.
• Each solar street light works independently. Unlike regular street lights, any power failure causes blackout on the entire highway.
• You can adjust the light’s direction to the area where it is needed the most.
• It comes in a wide range of fixture styles.

7.    Are There Any Disadvantages of Solar Street Lamps?

Despite all the good things, there are always some drawbacks attached to technology. Like:

• The first time purchasing cost of a solar LED street light is higher than a regular street light.
• It would help if you kept your PV (photovoltaic) panel horizontal to get maximum sunlight. It increases the chances of dust and snow accumulation on the PV panel. It can adversely affect energy production.
• Replacement of batteries is essential as soon as they stop working properly.
• Cloudy weather might compromise the efficiency of the solar street light.
• Once the battery runs out of charging, you have to wait for the sunshine for battery recharging.
• For larger applications of your solar street lights, you need to have big batteries.

8.    What Are the Components of a Solar Street Light?

The solar powered street lights comprise of four main parts:

Solar panels

It is an important component of a solar street lamp. It takes the sunlight and utilizes it for battery recharge by converting it to electricity.

Light fixtures

We prefer to use LED light in solar street lamps. The reason behind this is the low energy consumption of solar LED street lights. It consumes 50% less energy than a regular bulb in the street light.

Pole

The pole needs to be strong for mounting your panel, light fixture, and (sometimes) the battery. Some solar street light manufacturers make poles with integrated panels and electronics.

Battery

The battery is an important part because it stores the energy during the day and utilizes it at night. You can use a gel cell deep cycle battery, lead-acid battery, or lithium-ion battery in your solar street lamp.

9.    Is Solar Street Light Water-Resistant?

Solar powered street lamps are IP65, IP66, or IP67 rated. Solar street lights are water-resistant as well as dirt and sand-resistant.

Outdoor lighting fixtures like solar street lights need to be strong enough to stand against tough weather and strong winds.

10.  Are Solar Street Lights Scratch-Proof?

Solar street light manufacturers use aluminium for making the solar street light fixture. The body is zinc plated to avoid rust and corrosion.

The glass we use for solar street lights is resistant to harsh environmental conditions. It is scratch-proof, explosion-proof, and can sustain strong weather conditions. The glass has a 25-year lifespan.

11.  Are Solar LED Street Lights Rotatable?

Yes, you can rotate the solar street light to get the maximum efficiency out of it.

The solar panels are also rotatable. Adjust them horizontally in bad weather conditions to get the maximum light.

The rotating feature helps to adjust your solar panels according to the light direction so that you can get the maximum light for battery charging.

12.  What Is the Lifespan of a Solar Street Light?

The lifespan of a solar street lamp ranges from 2 – 8 years. Its’ lifespan depends on its LED light, solar panel, and battery.

A solar panel and LED light enjoy a long lifespan; however, the battery’s average lifespan is 2 – 4 years.

You can change the battery to keep your solar powered street light working.

13.  Can a Solar Street Light Sense Motion?

Yes, you can attach motion sensors with your solar street lamps. Your solar street lamp will dim or turn off when traffic or pedestrians are not around. It saves the energy of the battery.

14.  How to Install a Solar Street Light?

Solar street lights are easy-to-install. You can do it yourself (DIY), but it is better to consult some qualified and trained technician for the installation.

Follow the steps:

• Safety first. Protect yourself and the surrounding where you want to erect your solar LED street light.
• Make sure you have all the tools and components with you to avoid delays in work.
• Prepare the wires according to the user manual.
• For the solar LED street light, you need a foundation. Use a metal cage for this purpose. Dig in, put the metal cage in it, and secure it with cement.
• Also, put the batteries in the hole. It will save the battery from robbery and fluctuation of temperatures.
• Connect the wires, solar panel, and LED light fixture while the pole is on the ground.
• Test the working of the solar panel and lights before erecting the pole.
• Erect the pole, bolt the nuts into the steel cage, and adjust solar panels’ direction to get maximum sunlight.
• It is the testing time now. Check all the options thoroughly for 48 hours.

15.  Can Lithium-Ion Batteries Be Used in Solar Street Lights?

Yes, you can use compact lithium-ion batteries with solar powered street lights. Lithium is reliable battery technology.

The lithium-ion battery has a large capacity. It is easy to maintain and replace as compared to regular buried batteries.

16.  Can I Use Ordinary Batteries in My Solar Street Light?

You need to install rechargeable batteries in your solar powered street lights. To test the light, you can use a non-rechargeable battery but not other than that.

The ordinary non-rechargeable batteries are of no use to solar street lights. You have to dispose of them as soon as they run out of charge.

17.  What Are the Different Types of Solar Street Lights?

The solar powered street light fixtures can be of three types:

• Split solar street lights (all components are separately installed)
• 2-in-1 solar street lights (battery is separate. Controller and solar panels in LED housing)
• All-in-one solar street lights (all components in one housing)

Based on the lighting system, solar street lamps are of three types

• Solar LED street lights
• Solar flood street lights
• Solar CFL street lights

18.  What Are the Features of Solar Street Light (Y-Series)?

The Y-series solar powered street lights possess the following features:

• Highly cost-effective products
• Multiple LEDs work together to improve the lumen efficiency up to 160lm/w.
• It illuminates a much wider area.
• You can conveniently charge or discharge the solar street lamp.
• An intelligent power controller controls the power discharge.
• The battery has got a longer and stable life span.
• The zinc-plated aluminum body protects the solar street lamp from rust and corrosion.
• It enjoys a 3-year warranty.
• It is up to the IP65 rating (waterproof).
• It possesses a split solar light system, resulting in easy replacement of any component.

19.  What Is the Difference Between Solar Street Lights and Traditional Street Lights?

• Solar street lights utilize a natural source of energy (sun). On the contrary, regular street lights work on electricity by power grids.
• Solar street lights are costly at the first time purchase as compared to regular street lights.
• You don’t need to worry about monthly electricity bills with solar street lights.
• Solar LED street lights are more lumen efficient than regular street lamps.
• Traditional lights last up to 8000 hours, whereas solar LED street lights can work for 5 – 7 years.
• Independent solar street light poles reduce the threat of blackout. With regular street lights, you may experience a complete blackout with a power failure.
• Solar street lights are eco-friendly.
• You need less maintenance for solar powered street lights as compared to regular street lights.
• Solar street lamps are comparatively more weather-resistant and water-resistant than regular street lights.

20.  Can I Replace Regular Street Lights with Solar Street Lights?

You can replace your regular street light only if the pole is strong enough to bear the weight on solar panels and light fixtures.

You also need batteries along with solar panels. The solar panel charges the battery, which then gives energy to the solar street light.

You need to replace the regular light with solar LED street light, which is more compatible with solar powered batteries.

21.  Do Solar Lights Charge on a Cloudy Day?

The clouds can block the sunlight but not completely stop the sun rays from reaching the earth. Solar panels can charge the battery in bad light conditions also.

Moreover, the batteries attached to the solar panel store energy to use in bad light conditions.

22.  What Is the Effect of Cold Temperature on Solar Street Lights?

The temperature has nothing to do with the working of solar panels or solar powered street lights. As long as the solar panels are getting sunlight, the weather doesn’t matter.

The solar cells in solar panels convert the sunlight into electricity in all weather conditions.

23.  What Does the Indicator Light on the Solar Street Light Show?

The indicators on the sensors show the condition of the battery. It shows the charging and voltage of the battery.

The green indicator shows normal functioning, whereas the red light shows an abnormality in the battery.

If the indicator is off, showing no light, check the connecting wires, or maybe the battery is dead.

24.  Why Do Solar Street Lights Blink?

Your solar powered street lights may blink because your batteries need to be recharged or replaced.

Another reason for blinking solar LED street lights might be the accumulated dust on the solar panel. Clean off the solar panel; it will have a positive effect on the battery’s recharging.

25.  How to Troubleshoot My Solar LED Street Light?

• Your solar powered street light might show the green indicator at night. The green indicator shows the battery charging. Check if there is some powerful light source around that is influencing the solar panel.

If there is no strong light source, then you must replace the controller.

• The red indicator on the sensor shows that the battery needs to be recharged. Suppose the red light is showing off without any load. Check your light controller.
• If your battery is discharging too soon, make sure the battery is compatible with the light size.
• If the battery is not fully charging, check the solar panel direction. It must face the sun properly. Ensure there are no obstacles between solar panels and sunlight, like trees, shadows, buildings, etc.

26.  How Much Does Solar Street Light Cost?

It depends on the quality of the solar street lamps and the system’s need. Roughly, the cost of a solar street lamp ranges from $20 – $400.

It excludes the installation fee and maintenance fee.

27.  Can I Convert My Electrical Street Light to Solar Street Light?

Yes, you can.

Add the four main components to the existing pole. Make sure the pole is strong enough to bear the weight of all the components.

You don’t need the pre-existing electrical wiring. Change the light fixture to the compatible solar street lamp.

28.  What Is an Integrated Solar LED Street Light?

An integrated solar LED street light is a unit that contains all the main components of a solar street lamp in one house.

It is a state-of-the-art solar street light that saves you from installing separate components. You may get fully or semi-integrated solar street lamps.

29.  What Is an All-in-One Solar Street Light?

The all-in-one solar powered street lights contain solar panels, LED lights, and batteries in one compact unit.

It may also contain a motion sensor inside. It is a cost-effective solution for solar street lights.

30.  Does Solar Street Light Stay on All Night?

Yes, the solar street lamps can stay on all night long. Some high-quality solar powered street lights can work even more than that.

Good quality batteries can store enough energy through solar panels to illuminate the light in the absence of the sun. All you need is a good 8-hour battery recharge.

31.  What Is the Beam Angle of a Solar Street Lamp?

You can brighten up a large area with a 60 – 160 degree solar LED street light. The beam angle also depends on the length of the solar street light pole.

Longer poles cover more area as compared to shorter solar street light poles.

32.  Why Do My Solar Lights Have on/off Switch?

Some solar street light manufacturers provide on and off switches with your solar street lamps. The on/off switch allows you to control the light.

You can turn the solar street light off when you don’t need it. It will also help to save the energy of the battery.

33.  Who Is the Best Solar Street Light Manufacturer?

You can buy the best solar street lights from China’s leading LED light manufacturers – VST-Lighting. With over ten years of experience in LED light manufacturing, we supply all types of LED light products worldwide.

With the increasing popularity of solar LED street lights, VST-Lighting plays its part in saving the mother-nature. Solar powered street lights are eco-friendly and easy-to-install.

We are always here to help you out in the installation process. We can also manufacture customized solar powered street lights for our valuable customers.

We use the high-quality raw material to manufacture good-quality solar LED street lights.

If you have any queries, feel free to contact us anytime.

34.  How to Maintain a Solar Powered Street Light?

To maintain and clean your solar powered street light, you can:

• Regularly clean your solar panels. You can use a brush and soapy water to wash the solar panels.
• Rinse it thoroughly and remove all the dust and dirt. Use a sponge to dry off all the water.
• Clean the light fixture.
• Check to wire regularly.
• Replace the battery immediately when it starts running out of charge quickly.
• You can contact the solar street light manufacturer to solve the issue in case of any serious issue.

35.  How Can I Make My Solar LED Street Lights Brighter?

To attain the maximum brightness of your solar street lamp, you need to:

• Ensure an 8-hour battery recharging.
• Make sure your solar panels and light fixtures are clean from dirt and debris.
• Replace the batteries for better brightness.
• Always purchase from the solar street light manufacturers.

36.  What Is the Ideal Height of a Solar Street Light Pole?

The ideal pole height of a solar LED street light must vary between 3 – 8meters. However, with the changing pole height, you can change the wattage of your LED light fixture.

High poles need more wattage lights.

37.  Is Solar Street Light Remote Controlled?

Yes, solar street lamps are available with remote controllers. For your convenience, solar street light manufacturers provide remote controllers with various types of solar street lights.

You can turn the light on/off with the remote controller. You can save the battery’s energy in this way.

38.  Are There Any Solar Street Lights Available with CCTV Cameras?

Yes, some of the new solar powered street lights are equipped with CCTV cameras. You can install these solar LED street lights in your parking lots and commercial places for security purposes.

Some useful features like motion sensors and CCTV cameras add to the benefits of solar powered street lights.

You can easily control all these features with the help of a remote controller.

39.  What Is a Double-Arm Solar Street Light Pole?

It is an appropriate solar street light to install in the median strip. It brightens up both sides of the road.

A solar panel is attached in the middle of the pole. It seems like a pole with two arms. Solar LED street light fixtures on both sides get energy from the batteries and illuminate the road at night.

You may need a powerful battery to give electricity to two luminaires simultaneously.

40.  What Is the Standard Distance Between Two Solar Street Light Poles?

You can calculate the distance between two poles with the solar street light pole’s height. The space between two poles must be 2.5 – 3 times the pole’s height.

For example, if a solar powered street light pole is 6 meters high, you must install the second pole 15 – 18 meters away.

It shows you need to install shorter solar street lamp poles nearer as compared to long poles.

41.  How Much Area Does a Solar Street Light Cover?

A solar powered street light covers an area almost double its height. For instance, if the solar powered street light pole is 10 meters high, it will illuminate 10 – 12 meters on either side.

Collectively it becomes a 20 – 24 meters area. The distance between two poles or the total illuminated area also depends on the luminaire wattage.

High wattage LED lights with more lumen efficiency to cover up more area.

42.  What Is a Smart Solar Street Light?

Smart solar powered street lights have automatic on and off system. These lights stay off during the day and works for 8 hours in the night.

Smart solar street lamps are suitable for roads. You can adjust the timing according to the traffic times. You can connect these solar street lights with Wi-Fi.

43.  Can Solar LED Street Lights Be Used in Homes?

You can use solar powered street lights anywhere you want. It is suitable for both domestic and commercial use. The only point of consideration is that the solar panels get full sunlight all day long.

44.  Do Solar Street Lights Enjoy a Warranty Period?

Yes. VST-Lighting offers a 3-year warranty period to all its solar street lights. We value your trust and don’t want you to risk your investments. For this reason, we provide you a full warranty period.

You can exchange the solar street light in case of any damage.

45.  Are Solar Powered Street Lights CE Certified?

All VST-Lighting products are CE-Certified. Not only this, but we have got many certifications from all the international certification organizations.

You sell our products to wholesalers and dealers globally. Our products are certified and can be sold in any part of the world.

46.  Can I Get a Customized Solar Street Light?

Our qualified and trained engineers are always ready to hear from you. You can give us your demands we will design and manufacture your desired solar powered street lights.

We have manufactured many customized LED lights for our valuable customers. We have got long term happy customers worldwide.

47.  How Can I Source Solar Street Lights From China?

If you want to source it from VST-Lighting, we can deliver your order to your doorstep. We have been delivering our solar powered street lights to more than 100 countries.

Large orders may take time, but you can enjoy discounted prices with bulk orders. The lead time depends on the solar powered street light you want, its amount, and the area you live in.

Delivery in distant areas takes more time and costs you more than areas nearby. However, we ensure you quality products in comparatively faster delivery time than other companies.