Solar street lamps come with an enhanced light source that is powered by solar cells.

The panels are integrated in the pole or fixed on the structure.

The solar panels charge batteries which powers an LED or fluorescent light in the evening.

Here are some examples.

Most solar lamps use the power of the solar panel in order to detect and then turn off or on outdoor lighting.

Solar streetlights are on all night long.

Solar streetlights can be used for longer than one night, if the sun is not visible for an extended duration.

Older models used bulbs that weren't fluorescent or LED. In areas with wind solar lights are often fitted with flat-paneled panels. They will be able to cope better with wind.

Modern battery management designs rely on wireless technology.

This technology allows street lights to operate as a system, and each light can switch off and on the whole network.

Components

Four components are the basis of solar street lights:

Solar panel

Solar panels form a significant part of solar street light fixtures,since they are able to convert solar energy into electricity to power the lamps. Solar street lamps are usually ma-de, and there are two kinds of panels, monocrystalline and polycrystalline. The conversion rate for mono-crystalline panels is higher than poly-crystalline panels. The wattage of solar panels could be different.

Lighting fixture

LEDs are the principal source of light for contemporary solar streetlights as they provide a greater brightness at lower energy consumption. The energy consumption of fixtures with LEDs is 50 percent less than the HPS equivalent, which is commonly use-d in street lighting.

They can be utilized with motion detectors as they do not require warm up. This can lead to additional savings in energy.

Rechargeable battery

Batteries store energy produced by solar panels during daylight hours, and supply energy to the fixtures at evening. The life cycle of the battery is crucial to the lifespan of the light,and its capacity will determine the number of days that can be used for backup.

Solar street lighting is usually driven by lead acid as well as deep cycle gel cell batteries. The popularity of these batteries has led to an increased demand for tiny lithium-ion batteries.

Pole

Solar street lights require sturdy poles, as they often include additional components, such as panels, fixtures and batteries. Certain of the most up-to-date designs incorporate PV panels as well as electronics integrated inside the pole. Another aspect is wind resistance.

There are other accessories to poles like the battery box as well as a foundation cage.

Different types of solar street lights at an intersection bus stop

Each street light might possess itsown photovoltaic panel. It's not connected to other streetlights. A group of panels can be installed on a different site to be a central power source and generate electricity for a number of street lights.

Solar street lights, which are all-in-one have gained popularity due to their small size. They incorporate the battery and all the necessary parts in a compact package.

Las Vegas in Nevada was the first city in the world to test a new EnGoPlanet Solar Street Lights that have been paired with kinetic tile that generates electricity whenever people walk over them.