 As energy demands around the world increase, the

need for a renewable energy source that will not

harm the environment has never been greater. Some
projections indicate that the global energy demand
will almost triple by 2050.

 Using photovoltaic (PV) cells is one way to meet the

need, converting sunlight directly into electricity with
no moving parts and no harmful pollution.

 Although more conventional sources of energy, such

as fossil fuels, are still satisfying the majority of the
world’s energy demand, PV systems are used in a
great variety of applications.
 Solar street lights can deliver that much-desired
outcome and offer an exceptional lighting program
whilst, at the same time, producing considerable
economic and environmental savings.

 Careful consideration has to be given, for example,

to the kind of solar panels to be employed; the
batteries; the lamps or LEDs - Light Emitting Diodes;
and the kind of electronic circuitry to be utilized in
the solar charger controller and the back up system,
needed for days when the sun doesn’t shine.

 Solar street lighting can be used not only on streets,

boulevards and highways but can also provide cost-
effective, environmentally friendly lighting for both
military and civilian security installations; park areas or
parking spaces; airports, docks and similar areas or,
indeed, for whole communities.
 Solar powered street lights are a very good
example on what can be done with solar energy.
A growing number of solar street lighting projects
are running in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

 The concept is straight forward and we shall see

more countries migrating this way.
 Powered fully by the sun
 Automatic dusk to dawn operation
 Stand-alone system - no cabling, sub-stations or
feeder pillars required
 Charge controller/regulator protects batteries
against total discharge and over charging
 Maintenance free batteries used for safe and
easy shipment
 Fully assembled with or without pole option
available
 The working principle of solar street light
is as follow :

 The optical effect of solar module

generating electricity when the sun
shining on the solar module surface,
then the lead carried electricity to the
controller. The solar panel converts the
sun's energy to dc electricity.

 Voltage is then regulated to a specific

value by an electronic circuit to charge
the battery. The sun light wearing off in
the night, the working voltage and
power of solar module is falling at the
same time. A solar controller protects
the battery from too low and over
charge.
 Finally the working voltage will lower than the charging
electricity voltage which has set by controller. So the
solar battery stop charging and start discharging
electricity.

 This process will not stop until the solar module voltage
bigger than the controller set voltage. It is a
consecutive circling which is the working principle of
light controlling. When fully charged, solar lights usually
can work as many as 15 hours, even if the sun isn’t
shining.
 Solar Panel
 Its task is to convert the sun's
energy into electricity.
Different sizes and power
outputs are available. They
have to be carefully chosen
for the desired application.
Solar panels should be able
to withhold and deliver in
extreme weather conditions.
Some are even designed
unbreakable (vandal proof),
others will work well in
overcast weather.
 Solar Controller
 The basic circuitry on most
solar powered street lights
consists essentially of an
automatic battery charger
fed by the solar panel and
a lighting controller
automated for dusk to
dawn operation.
Automatic lighting can be
triggered by a photocell
or a timer.
 A good photovoltaic cell controller
should have the battery charge and
discharge control, temperature control,
maximum power tracking and over-
charge protection, over discharge
protection, short circuit protection,
reverse polarity protection and other
protection features and automatic
switching and time adjustment function.

 These will ensure reliable operation of the

system with maximum output power
efficiently, under different irradiation and
different temperatures.
 Battery
 Solar photovoltaic lighting systems, usually chooses
maintenance-free lead-acid batteries. With the
whole sealing, high discharge rate, stability; no
need of adding water; simple installation, life
expectancy of this new battery is generally 5-7
years.
 In addition to providing energy for dusk to dawn
operation, they must also be able to supply few
days of backup power in case of bad weather or
charger failure.
 Lamps
 The choice of lamps to use in solar powered street lights is
dictated by the kind of application we're after:

1. LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) also known as SSL (solid-state lighting)

have a good color rendition. LEDs consume a fraction of the
energy of comparable lighting and have a very long life span.
2. CF (Compact Fluorescent) lamps produce a white light and are
used in places where color rendering is desired.
3. HID (High Intensity Discharge) lamps, mainly LPS and MH:
a) LPS (Low Pressure Sodium) lamps generate a monochromatic
yellow-orange light and are used when color rendering is not an
issue. They have a lifespan of up to 18,000 hours.
b) MH (Metal Halide) lamps produce a clean white light and are
perfect for applications where color rendering is essential.
ADVANTAGES
 Outdoor solar lights are
affordable
 Solar energy is free
 Easy and quick installation
 Virtually no cost to operate
 No road works or wiring required
 Safe and reliable function
 Minimum running cost and
maintenance
 High cost - The cost of solar street light will increase
30%-60% for their solar panel and battery, and we often
put the solar panel at high place, that means put the
solar panel at the highest place of lamp pole. This will
add the cost to the solar street light.
 The limit of climate and geography - Solar
street light can not be installed anywhere even there is
good sunshine, for example, under tree, behind house,
or near big building.
 Rated life of parts - We install the battery under
ground or lamp pole which takes wicked conditions to
battery, and the temperature and humidity of surrounding
environment often changed, the frequent replacement
which increase the using cost.