The most recent developments in solar technology have made it possible for automatic street light systems to take the lead. These photovoltaic-powered automatic solar street lights are elevated outdoor light sources. Our daily lives are made much more convenient by an automated solar street light system. Learn more about the automatic solar street light system by reading this article.
How Automatic Solar Street Lights Work
The Solar Panel Collects The Sun’s Energy
The solar panel or PV module recognizes and reflects the sun’s light. There are two types of solar panels that are widely used in the solar power sector. There are two types of solar panels: monocrystalline and polycrystalline.
Due to its effective way of capturing the sun’s power, even in cold weather, monocrystalline solar panels are widely used in solar street light technologies.
Aluminum brackets are used to attach the solar panel to the pole’s top portion. Some designs allow the panels to be adjusted, giving them a certain amount of flexibility. The goal of this is to increase the efficiency of various solar panel positions.
A Rechargeable Battery Converts Solar Energy To Electrical Energy And Stores It
Rechargeable batteries power solar street lights. The sun’s energy will first be captured by the solar panel and then transferred to the rechargeable battery. The battery stores the energy during the day and uses it to run the LED lamp at night.
Rechargeable batteries fall under the category of deep-cycle batteries, which are made to withstand constant currents for longer periods of time.
As a result, it can periodically discharge currents effectively without losing its effectiveness. The batteries for solar street lights are made to be rechargeable for longer than a day.
For lighting to be maintained during the winter and rainy months, a design allowance of 5 days is usually used.
A Smart Controller Regulates The Stored Energy And Electronically Communicates With Other Devices
The smart controller controls the stored energy. In order to prevent batteries from overcharging, the smart controller helps regulate the flow of voltage and current.
To be able to accept signals from both components, this component is actually installed between the solar panel and rechargeable battery.
The intelligent controller controls the signals to manage the voltage and current coming from the panels.
In solar lighting technology, there are primarily two different kinds of smart controllers. The MPPT and PWM are these. Modern Solar LED street lights come with an MPPT charge controller because it is a more dependable charge controller than the PWM.
It controls the following as the main solar street light component:
- Dusk to dawn control
- Time control
- Motion sensing
- LVD disconnect
- Dusk to dawn
Voltage is metered and under constant observation. The LED light automatically comes on when the controller notices that the incoming voltage is low. The LED light is told to stop working by an increase in voltage.
A Remote Management Software (RMS) Sends Signals To Your Device For Remote Monitoring Of The Street Lights
In order to avoid using too much wattage and resulting in higher costs, the remote management software starts active monitoring of light level performance.
It offers a thorough report on the solar street lighting system’s operational status. Additionally, it enables remote access via phone, PC, or tablet for the owner to monitor and manage each light fixture.
Dusk Till Dawn Street Illumination With Led Light
When night falls, the LED light is powered by the stored energy. The most energy-efficient form of lighting used by manufacturers is an LED lamp.
Be aware that LED street lights typically have a 12-hour illumination cycle from dusk to dawn. Additionally, during those hours, the brightness is controlled. As was already mentioned, the light intensity is highest during peak hours.
When it is past peak hours, a dimming effect starts, but as soon as a person is detected by the sensor, the sensor automatically returns to full brightness.
Advantages Of Automatic Solar Street Lights
First off, using solar energy to create electricity is completely free and a renewable resource. Here are a few more benefits of using the automatic solar street light system.
- Compared to traditional street lights, automatic street light systems require less maintenance because they don’t have any moving parts.
- As a stand-alone setup, the automatic solar street light system doesn’t need any external wiring or to be connected to the grid.
- Accident risk is reduced, and there are fewer chances of the automatic street light system overheating.
- In comparison to traditional street lights, automatic solar street lights are significantly less expensive to operate.
- The automatic street light system is environmentally friendly and therefore aids in lowering the carbon footprint.
- Even in remote locations that are off the grid, intelligent solar street lights can be installed.
Disadvantages Of Automatic Solar Street Lights
As with any technology, solar street lights have some drawbacks.
- Compared to traditional street lights, the automatic street light system requires a larger upfront investment.
- The weather has a direct impact on how much energy is generated for solar street lights.
- Because they are expensive & non-wired, the risk of theft for automatic street light systems is comparatively higher.
- The automatic street light system’s rechargeable batteries need to be changed a few times.
- PV panels may collect snow, dust, or moisture, which could impede their ability to produce energy.
How To Use Automatic Solar Street Lights Systems
The use of automatic solar street light systems is quickly gaining popularity worldwide. These have proved to be inexpensive means of lighting up roads & are also sustainable & eco-friendly. Due to their advantageous qualities, automatic street light systems have many uses.
- Government Units & Municipalities – By using an automatic solar street light system for outdoor lighting, government organizations can save significant amounts of money. By 2026, 359 million streetlights are anticipated to be installed.
- Corporate & Big Businesses – To lessen their carbon footprint, many businesses today are implementing green energy technologies & practices. An important step in this direction can be achieved by installing automatic street lighting.
- Great Way to Light Up Streets – In addition to lighting up the streets, automatic solar street lights and CCTV can also give us more security. Smart solar street lights are wireless and one type of street lighting.
- High-quality automatic street light systems can improve visibility at night on rural roads, major roads, and highways. These are reasonably priced and also very simple to install.
- The use of automatic street light systems is beneficial in parks and recreational areas, which are frequently frequented by children. They offer uniform lighting and the ideal level of luminosity to parks while also being safe and secure.
- Schools and Universities: An automatic solar street light system is a great option for schools, colleges, and universities. Institutions are able to install them all over the campus if there are sufficient accessible areas, such as bus shelters and parking lots.