Solar lighting

Solar lighting refers to lighting systems that utilize solar energy as their primary source of power.^[1] These systems typically combine photovoltaic (PV) modules, energy-storage technologies, efficient light sources such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and intelligent control systems to collect solar energy during daylight hours and provide illumination when required.

Advances in photovoltaic efficiency, battery storage, LED technology, and smart energy management have significantly improved the reliability, efficiency, and scalability of solar lighting systems.^[2] As a result, solar lighting is increasingly used in a wide range of applications, from residential and landscape lighting to streets, highways, public spaces, commercial facilities, and other large-scale infrastructure projects. Depending on the system design, solar lighting can operate independently from the electrical grid or be integrated with conventional power networks.

High energy-efficient solar panels can generate enough electricity with much smaller panel, so that the panel can be mount on the top a medium lighting pole to get the best energy conversion.

Deep-cycle gel or Lead-Acid Battery which will store more electricity for 3-5 days poor weather backup so that solar lighting will light up most of the nights all over the year.

LED light Fixtures which will produce much more lighting with lower energy consumption. LED light Fixture can save at least 50% of energy in comparison to HPS lights which is widely used in traditional out door lighting.

Solar lighting will experience 4 stages during working:

Throughout the day the solar panels will convert the solar energy from the sun into electricity which will charge the battery.^[3] The intelligent solar controller charges the battery throughout the day and controls the current to ensure that the battery is not overcharged.

As the sun sets the photocell that is built into the panel will sense the voltage drop as the panels are no longer taking a charge. The battery has been charged throughout the day and is now ready to discharge and provide electricity for the lamp and turn it on.^[4] If there is inclement weather, there are usually 3-4 days backup for most solar lighting system.

The voltage from the solar panel is lower than the pre-set value. After the controller recognizes this situation, the electricity is drawn from the charged battery and continuously powers the lamp fixture.^[5] The light will stay on all night until the sun rises and the cycle is completed.

In the morning, the voltage from the solar panel raises and gets higher than it was during the night.^[6] When a certain voltage threshold is reached the controller will detect this and turn off the light. The battery will then being to charge itself from the discharge that occurred when it was powering the light.

There are several type of solar lighting for different applications.

It's the most popular type of solar lighting that is designed to replace traditional street lights. This type of solar lighting has fairly strong lighting, long backup period to make sure citizen can enjoy lighting during the night. It has largest market, but the reliability is not as high as traditional street lights. These lights are especially popular in rural area.

Solar ceiling light is a ceiling-mounted lighting fixture powered by solar energy. It typically uses a solar panel to charge a built-in battery during the day, which then powers LED lights at night or in low-light conditions.

Solar Garden lights are generally designed for private garden using, the requirement of lighting strength is much lower in this condition. So the lights usually have smaller panel and fixtures. People care more about the design and style of the lights.

The lighting requirement is even lower for solar lawn lights. So the size of lawn lights are even smaller, it will have a LED light of less than 10 watts. The prices of solar lawn lights are much lower than garden lights or street lights which make it more acceptable of most customers, these lights are widely used in home and gardens.

Solar Flood light are widely used for commercial billboard as signage lighting. It is the most flexible solar lighting solution with really small size and strong lighting strength. It can be used for pathway lighting, sidewalk lighting, private road lighting, jogging and bike path lighting, perimeter lighting, farm & ranch lighting, park lighting, gate lighting, yard lighting and campus lighting, etc...

There are also several other type of solar lighting like solar traffic sign, solar bus station lighting, solar marine lighting.

Solar Street lights: Greenshine New Energy LLC. Specializes in developing and manufacturing customized solar powered lighting systems for a wide range of lighting applications. At Greenshine we specialize in solar street lights, garden lights, and lawn lights for outdoor applications. Our lights can be installed anywhere, especially areas where grid tied electricity is not available.

SOL Inc.: Sol Inc., a U.S. lighting manufacturer, is the world leader in solar LED outdoor lighting solutions with over 50,000 systems installed in more than 60 countries on six continents. Since 1990, Sol has introduced innovative and cost-effective outdoor solar powered lighting systems that provide unsurpassed levels of illumination and reliability.

Carmanah Technologies: Carmanah Technologies manufactures solar LED lights and solar power systems that are industry proven to perform reliably in the world's harshest environments.

Lumetro: Lumetro is a professional LED lighting manufacturer specializing in innovative and high-quality lighting solutions for gardens, landscapes, and outdoor spaces. With a focus on design, performance, and customization, Lumetro provides reliable lighting products for a wide range of residential and commercial projects.

• Solar power
• Solar energy
• Rural lighting (original)

• Wikipedia:Solar street light
• Wikipedia:Street light
• All About Solar Flood Lights
• All About Solar Garden Lights