Solar street light cases

How Long Do Solar Lights Last? 6 tips to make solar lights live longer

How Long Do Solar Lights Last?

According to the 2024 mainstream model, solar lights are usually set to continue lighting 12 disappear from dusk until dawn. Designed service life of 8~10 years. As a professional solar street light manufacturer, we now use lithium iron phosphate batteries and LED lights to produce solar lights, ensuring they can be used for over 10 years. Lower-quality solar lights may use batteries that last only 3 to 5 years, resulting in short illumination duration and the need for regular battery replacement, which is highly unfriendly.

Luxman strongly recommends using high-quality solar lights and provides a 5-year warranty. Even Luxman’s solar street lights can continue to illuminate for 12 hours every day during seven consecutive rainy days.

Solar street light cases

How to Extend the Illumination Duration of Solar Lights

Keeping the solar panels clean

If you want to make full use of the solar panels, you need to clean them regularly to ensure that sunlight reaches them smoothly and that the batteries receive enough power. If manual cleaning seems too troublesome, you can choose or customize solar lights with automatic cleaning, ensuring that the solar panels always perform at their best.

Installing in open areas

Make sure to install the solar lights in places where sunlight can shine directly on them, ensuring sufficient illumination duration.

Scientific setting of lighting modes

You can use PIR motion sensing modes to adjust the brightness or set lighting brightness according to different time periods, saving more power to ensure longer illumination.

Using LED lights

LED lights have more efficient illumination effect, saving energy.

Proper extreme weather and climate protection functions

Solar lights can be equipped with temperature control functions to cope with extremely cold and hot weather. If this function is not available, it is best to purchase solar lights with corrosion protection for humid areas and coastal areas. Luxman’s solar lights all have these functions. If your solar lights do not have these functions, please bring them indoors during icy weather in winter.

Use lithium iron phosphate batteries (LiFePO₄)

LiFePO₄ can cycle up to 3000 times and are the most ideal solar batteries.

 

Recent updates:

https://luxmanlight.com/what-battery-is-best-for-solar-street-lights-in-2024/

https://luxmanlight.com/what-is-the-best-solar-light-battery/

https://luxmanlight.com/how-long-do-solar-powered-street-light-last-luxman-light/

li-ion battery

What battery is best for solar street lights in 2024

NICD NOT A PRIME CHOICE FOR SOLAR LIGHTS

NiCd (Nickel Cadmium) batteries are not one of the best solar battery choices on the market for use in solar energy lights. There’s a debate in the “battery community” about what’s called the “memory effect” with NiCd–these kinds of batteries are meant to be charged fully and depleted fully.

That isn’t what happens often with batteries meant for solar lights, where there’s a constant charge-discharge with the cycles of day and night. The memory effect alters the battery’s voltage levels to shrink over time, where the battery “forgets” the highs and lows it doesn’t often charge to. Typically, the best battery for solar lights (with a properly-sized system) will discharge about 15% every day.

Plus, cadmium is a highly toxic metal which defeats one of the purposes of solar lights–to reduce the environmental impact that the use of energy may have. Many NiCd batteries even have “POISON” stamped across the top. We know most project managers just prefer something that saves money over time, but why not go both routes of cost-effective and environmentally safe?

NIMH CLOSER, BUT STILL NO CIGAR

NiMH (Nickel Metal-Hydride) technology is a better choice over NiCd batteries when it comes to the environment, but there are still some pain points with this selection. There’s a lot of maintenance required with NiMH batteries because they need a full discharge from time to time–we’re sure someone doesn’t want to get the task of discharging every battery in a solar parking lot light configuration.

The best application for these batteries are for small electronics like flashlights and toys since they operate best with high energy consumption and demand instead of small, cyclical power drains or low-energy applications. Still not the best battery solution for solar street lights.

lead-acid battery

lead-acid battery plate composed of lead and lead oxide, electrolyte for sulfuric acid aqueous solution. Its main advantages are voltage stability and low price. The disadvantage is that the specific energy is low, resulting in a relatively large volume and short service life, about 300-500 deep cycles, requiring frequent routine maintenance. The battery is still widely used in the solar street lamp industry.

lead acid battery

 

Colloidal battery(gel battery)

In fact, lead-acid battery is an upgrade of the maintenance free version, through the colloidal electrolyte instead of sulfuric acid electrolyte, in terms of safety, storage, discharge performance and service life than ordinary batteries have been improved, the price of some even higher than three lithium batteries. It can be used in the temperature range of -40℃ to -65℃, especially good performance at low temperature, suitable for the northern alpine region. Strong seismic performance, can be used safely in harsh environments. The service life is about twice as long as the ordinary lead-acid battery。

gel battery

Ternary lithium battery

higher than the energy, small size, fast charging, but the price is higher. The number of deep cycles is about 500-800 times, the life of the battery is about 1 times longer than that of the lead-acid battery, and the temperature range is -15℃ to 45℃. However, less stable, unqualified manufacturers of ternary lithium batteries may explode or catch fire when overcharged or too high temperature.Ternary lithium battery

lithium iron phosphate battery(LifePO4 battery)

Hgher than the energy, small size, fast charging, long service life, good stability, the price is the highest. The number of deep cycle charging is about 1500-2000 times, long service life, generally up to 8-10 years, strong stability, wide temperature range, can be used in -40℃ to 70℃.Lithium iron phosphate battery

To sum up, solar street lights of course use lithium iron phosphate batteries best, although the price is higher. At present, the market solar street lamp using lithium iron phosphate battery price is very reasonable product, the life of this product can reach 10 years, the price is also very attractive.

Luxman’s solar street lights are all powered by lithium iron phosphate batteries.

https://luxmanlight.com/how-to-choose-the-right-batteries-for-your-solar-light/

https://luxmanlight.com/what-kind-of-batteries-are-used-in-solar-street-lights/

solar street light project

How to calculate the height and distance of solar street light pole?

Solar street Light Height Calculation

In determining the installation height of solar street lights, if the height of the lamp poles is between 3 to 4m, the formula H≥0.5R can be used. Here, R is the radius of the illumination area, and H is the height of the street light pole.

If the height of the light pole is higher, such as over 5m, an adjustable lamp panel can be used to regulate the illumination coverage to meet different lighting needs. This adjustable panel can be moved up and down on the pole to achieve the best lighting effect.

solar street light rural

Solar street Light Distance Calculation:

For general road lighting, when the width of the road does not exceed 15m, lighting is usually arranged on one side. distance between two street light pole on this side also depends on the height of the light poles; for poles shorter than 6m, the spacing can be set at about 10m, while for poles taller than 6m, the spacing can be between 10-25m. The specifics should be determined based on the actual site conditions.

For light poles over 10m in height, the general formula is the spacing between lights = pole height × 3.

Additionally, for solar street lights with an 8m pole, the spacing between lights should be 25-30m using cross illumination. This method is suitable for roads that are 10-15m wide. For solar street lights with a 12m pole, the longitudinal spacing between lights should be 30-50m with symmetric illumination, and road illumination width needs to exceed 15m.

Solar street light

Solar Street Light Pole Installation Height and Spacing Recommendations for Different Situations:

Based on construction drawings and the survey of the geological conditions of the site, and in places with no top obstructions, the installation location of solar street lights should use a reference spacing of 10-50m. Specific requirements should be confirmed with the engineer according to project needs, or by contacting us.

  • For average road widths of about 3-4m with pole heights of 3-4m, the installation distance should be 10m;
  • For average road widths of about 5-7m with pole heights of 5-7m, the installation distance should be 10-25m;
  • For average road widths of 8-12m with pole heights of 8-12m, the installation distance should be 30-40m;
  • For main traffic arteries about 20m wide with pole heights of 12-14m, the spacing should be at least 40m.

When the width of the road exceeds 15m, and there is heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic that requires aesthetic consideration, staggered lighting on both sides or symmetric lighting can be adopted. In actual design work, one often encounters many objective constraints. For instance, when the road is wide but lighting can only be installed on one side, the tilt angle of the light fixtures can be increased, generally up to a 15-degree angle. If the tilt angle is too high, the luminous efficiency of the fixtures decreases, and glare can become a problem for visibility.

Different Location street light spacing and height:

  • Parks and scenic areas: Suitable for installing solar street lights around 7m tall, the installation distance should be 10-25m;
  • Along national highways: Height should not be less than 12m, with a spacing of at least 40m;
  • City side roads: Height should not be less than 10m, with an installation distance of 30m;
  • Rural roads: Heights of 6m or more, with an installation distance of 25-30m. Additional street lights should be installed at corners to avoid blind spots;

Four-lane roads or main traffic arteries: Height of 8-12m, with axial symmetric illumination, and an installation distance of 30~50m.
For arrangements with lights on both sides, if the spacing between light poles is too great, it is recommended to use a cross arrangement, as the reason for large spacing is often due to insufficient budget or a lower level of luminous intensity.

The latest solar street light pole is recommended

solar street light pole

https://luxmanlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/10m-Smart-Solar-Street-light-Pole-Design.pdf

This smart solar street light pole can be equipped with a remote monitoring system. The split design can maximize the number of solar panels and improve battery life while saving manufacturing costs. At present, there are three styles of optional height: 6m, 8m and 10m.

Luxman Solar street light with pole ADAPTS to various heights and spacing

Solar street light with pole 

Luxman has different kinds of street lights that can be installed at a height of 3~30m, suitable for high-speed, airport, urban streets, rural areas, parks, squares, parking lots, construction sites and other occasions.

 

Contact us for streetlight engineering design

     

    solar light

    How To Choose the Best Solar light Batteries?

    Choosing the right solar battery for your solar light is essential to its optimal performance. Whether you are replacing a battery in an existing solar light or selecting one for a new solar light, there are several factors to consider. Knowing the purpose and usage of the solar light, the type of solar panel, the battery capacity, and the environmental temperature are essential for selecting the best solar battery for your solar lights. With the right battery, your solar light can provide reliable illumination that can last for years, making it a smart and economical choice.

    Main types of solar light batteries in the market

    When searching for the right batteries for your solar light, you will have many options to consider.

    Lead acid battery

    LUXMAN - lead acid battery


    Lead Acid Battery

    Lead acid battery is a type of battery whose electrode is mainly made of lead and oxide, and the electrolyte is sulfuric acid solution.Lead-acid batteries have been around for years and have established themselves as one of the preferred batteries in the market. They were the first rechargeable batteries ever created. Although they have high power surges, Lead-acid batteries discharge faster than other modern batteries. There are three types of Lead-acid batteries which include:

    Sealed/maintenance-free Lead-acid battery: This lead-acid battery has vents and valves that are kept open to release pressure inside the battery in case the pressure builds up. The pressure can build up because of rapid charging or high current surge when discharging.

    Starter: This Lead-acid battery is designed to provide a high-voltage surge for a few seconds. It is commonly used in vehicles to start the engine.

    Deep cycle battery: This Lead-acid battery is designed to continuously provide power in golf carts, wheelchairs, and other electrical equipment. They are built to provide maximum power capacity and higher operational cycles.

    These batteries are commonly used to power anything from a car to a solar light since they are inexpensive.

     Gel battery

    LUXMAN - gel battery


    Gel Battery

    The Gel battery is a lithium acid battery that valves to regulate the flow of electrolytes. This battery uses sulfuric acid and an electrolyte combined with silica fumes. It is an old model battery but emits fewer fumes than the Lead acid battery. The Gel battery can be used in areas with poor ventilation because of the low fumes that it produces. The gel battery does not need any maintenance as it uses valves that open to allow the internal gases to combine with water. These batteries are versatile and robust.

    Ternary lithium battery

     Ternary lithium battery


    Ternary lithium battery

    The ternary lithium battery is a type of lithium battery that uses ternary materials as the cathode. The cathodes for ternary batteries are made from aluminum, cobalt or nickel. Ternary lithium batteries are preferred for solar lighting because of their higher energy density than lead-acid batteries. The nickel used in ternary batteries improves the conductivity of the batteries, efficiency, and cycling.

    Lithium iron phosphate battery(LifePO4 )

    Lithium iron phosphate battery


    TLithium Iron phosphate battery

    The lithium iron phosphate battery is a battery that offers high energy density and a high capacity. These batteries are designed to offer high cycles and reliable performance in a wide range of operating temperatures.

    Compared to other batteries, the Lithium iron phosphate battery has a lighter weight, more lifespan, and greater performance and reliability. This battery has a faster charging rate and stores power for longer. This battery does not need active maintenance in its service.

    These batteries are the lightest weight variety of batteries and are the least expensive among all the other solar lights battery types.

    Different solar light battery type

    Battery typeNominal cell voltageBattery pack voltageCycle LifeCostTemperate performance
    Lead acid battery2.2V12V350 timeslow-20℃-50℃
    Gel battery2.35-2.4V12V or 24V500 timeslow-15 ~ 40℃
    Ternary lithium(Li-ion)3.7V11.1V(12V)800-1000timeshigh-20℃~50℃
    Lithium Iron Phosphate battery(LifePO4 )3.2V12.8V or 25.6V1500-2000timeshigh-10℃~60℃

    Lead acid battery: A lead acid battery has a nominal cell voltage of 2.2V and a total voltage of 12V. This battery can be charged 350 times reliably and does not heat up during charging. The charging temperatures of this battery are 20-50 degrees C. This old model battery is bulky and unsuitable for modern solar lights apart from the split type of solar lights. The battery is also heavy and bulky.

    Gel battery: This battery has a nominal cell voltage of 2.35 to 2.4V and a total voltage of 12V or 24V. This battery can be charged 500 times and has a considerably low cost. The charging temperatures of this battery are 15-40 degrees C. The Gel battery is also not suitable for modern solar lights. This battery can be damaged by overcharging. It requires proper regulators to ensure that overcharging does not occur. The Gel battery is not suitable for use in high temperatures. Higher temperature causes the cells to shrink making the gel hard.

    Ternary lithium(Li-ion): This battery has a nominal cell voltage of 3.7V and a total voltage of 11.1 (12)V. It can be charged for 500 to 800 times and has a low self-discharge rate. This battery comes in different shapes and sizes, so it is not interchangeable among various devices. The main advantage of this battery is its high energy capacity.

    It is ideal for use in solar lights because it plays a key role in increasing reliability, reducing maintenance costs, and increasing energy efficiency compared to other batteries currently on the market. Ternary lithium(Li-ion) is also reliable because it can withstand high operating temperatures.

    Lithium Iron Phosphate battery(LifePO4 ): Compared to many other types of batteries, this battery has a longer life span. It also does not lose its charge even when it has not been used for a long time, unlike other batteries. It has a nominal cell voltage of 3.2V and a total voltage of 12.8V or 25.6V.

    This battery is ideal for high temperature operating conditions. It can withstand temperatures of up to 60℃. The Lithium Iron Phosphate battery does not need active maintenance. It can last for up to 2000 cycles.

    This battery is ideal for use in solar lights because it is now being used in some new solar lights due to its efficiency, safety, and durability.

    How does Solar battery influence solar light lifetime?

    Many factors, including the solar light battery type, the battery cycles life, the environment temperature and the stability of the battery can affect how long your solar lights last. influence the solar light lifespan. For example,in hot weather countries the environment temperate is nearly 55℃, Lithium Iron Phosphate battery is the best, safe and reliable choice.

    When looking for a solar battery to power your solar lights, you should consider the application environment, life cycles,  stability and battery pack voltage and your budget.

    Which type of battery is best for solar light?

    Lithium Iron Phosphate battery(LifePO4) is a perfect and reliable option for many solar lights, especially for All in one solar street light. The cost of Lithium Iron Phosphate battery(LifePO4) is higher than other types of batteries, but the reliability is much better,especially the high temperature performance and longer life cycles.

    https://luxmanlight.com/what-battery-is-best-for-solar-street-lights-in-2024/

    https://luxmanlight.com/what-kind-of-batteries-are-used-in-solar-street-lights/

    solar energy

    Solar energy advantages and disadvantages

     Introduction

    The world is moving towards a renewable future. In light of the imminent climate crisis, people are looking at alternative sources of energy that are sustainable and eco-friendly. Solar energy is one such alternative source of clean and renewable energy. It is abundant in many parts of the world and is not dependent on geo-location or climatic conditions to generate it.

    While many people are adopting this technology to protect their environment and reduce their electricity bills budget, some disadvantages come with it too. This article will explore the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy and help you decide whether or not you should invest in this green technology for your home.

    commercial Solar Energy Storage System

    1. Advantages of Solar Energy

    Solar energy is a clean, renewable, and eco-friendly fuel source. It is abundant in many parts of the world and is not dependent on geo-location or climatic conditions to produce it. Solar energy comes from the sun’s rays and can be used for various purposes. The advantages of solar power are listed below:

    • A clean and renewable source of energy:

    Solar energy is a clean and renewable energy source, unlike other traditional sources of energy, such as coal or gas, that release harmful emissions into the environment. Solar panels are coated with solar cells and do not produce toxic chemicals as other fuel sources. Solar panels also do not produce carbon dioxide emissions when used in the home.

    • Solar power is affordable:

    Solar power is becoming more affordable for homes and businesses alike, making it an accessible option for anyone looking to reduce their carbon footprint on the environment. However, it has an initial high installation cost. Additionally, with rising electricity costs, many homeowners are looking at renewable energy solutions as an alternative source of power that can reduce their monthly bills while generating clean and renewable power on-site.

    • Solar power has diverse applications:

    Solar energy is used in many different applications to generate power. Sustainable energy can be used to power homes, businesses, and industries and for waste management. You can also use solar energy to generate heat for various purposes, such as space heating or hot water for showers and baths. Various industries are adopting renewable energy for their manufacturing processes as it allows for continuous production throughout the day and is unaffected by climatic conditions.

    • High-tech industry:

    Green energy solar has become a high-tech industry where cutting-edge research is taking this technology further than what was previously imagined possible. Professional engineers are designing and refining new methods of solar power generation that are much more efficient than previous generations.

    • Provides a high level of independence:

    When you install a green energy solar system for your home, business, or industry, you provide yourself with an independent energy source that does not depend on external factors to operate efficiently. If conventional power grids fail, the solar panel will still be able to provide you with power throughout the day. Solar technology is also more reliable than other external forms of energy as it continues to work even during periods of bad weather or cloud cover.

    • Green energy has a high acceptance rate as an alternative energy source:

    Many people are aware of the environmental consequences of conventional fossil fuels and the need to drastically reduce our carbon footprint. Solar energy is an environmentally friendly, renewable, and eco-friendly alternative widely accepted as a sustainable energy source for most homes, businesses, and industries.

    commercial Solar Energy Storage System

    2. Disadvantages of solar energy?

    • The high initial cost of installation:

    The initial costs of buying and installing solar panels can be high. Other devices are also needed, such as batteries and converters, which are expensive. This can create a barrier for many homeowners looking to start their solar energy projects.

    • Weather conditions can affect the performance of the system:

    The solar panel works at its peak performance during sunny and clear conditions. The panels can become less efficient on days with heavy cloud cover or precipitation as it cannot generate power directly from the sun’s rays.

    • Solar panels consume a lot of space:

    Solar panels can consume a lot of space depending on the number of panels you purchase for your system. The solar panels come in large rectangular sheets and can take up excessive space in your backyard or rooftop.

    • Storage of green energy solar can be expensive:

    You need to store your solar energy properly. Getting enough storage capacity in your solar batteries will help you store the energy until it is needed. However, this is a costly process and requires professional installation of solar batteries installed on the roof or underground.

    • Adverse effects on the environment

    Solar energy, while a clean and renewable power source, still has negative environmental impacts that need to be considered when using this technology. The manufacture of solar panels produces toxic waste that can harm the surrounding environment when improperly disposed of. Additionally, some newer methods of producing solar panels introduce toxic chemicals into the production process, which also harm the environment if not disposed of properly.

    3. Green energy solar market trends

    Green energy solar is a rapidly growing market experiencing positive growth due to increasing demand and government subsidies. Increasing CO2 levels and global warming concerns are making governments invest in renewable energy sources such as solar energy to reduce their CO2 emissions. For solar energy to become a more widespread power source, it will require increased investment on the part of both governments and private companies.

    The solar industry has a high potential for generating employment opportunities in the coming years as new jobs are being created in the various sectors related to this field. Governments around the world have been investing heavily in research, design, and manufacturing, fueling growth prospects across all sectors related to solar technology.

    Although solar energy is currently a niche market, it is rapidly gaining ground as more and more people are becoming concerned about the environment and want to reduce their carbon footprint. The general public’s increased awareness of environmental issues has fueled the solar energy industry.

    Many advanced countries in Europe and North America are rapidly adopting renewable energy to generate power. The United States has seen strong market growth due to government incentives for using renewable sources. Many countries are now looking at increasing their investment to increase the amount of renewable energy generated, especially compared to other energy sources such as coal or gas.

    auto clean solar street light

    What is Auto Clean Solar Street Light?

    Introduction

    Solar lights are alternatives of high usage in the past few years for lighting commercial or residential areas. Solar Street Light provides an ecologically friendly solution to renewable solar lighting. Installing solar street lights with a self-cleaning mechanism saves you time for manual cleaning, and they charge up faster because the solar panels are always clean.

    Solar-powered street lights are very popular for their energy efficiency and eco-friendly. These lights are efficient for lighting up pathways or walkways, and they don’t require wiring.

    1. What is Auto Clean Solar Street Light?

    The auto clean solar street light is a solar street light with an auto-cleaning mechanism integrated with its design.  One of the features that stands out with the auto clean solar street light is the self cleaning mechanism, which is  an brush with thick bristles that allow up to four hours of automatic cleaning. The brush bristles have a flat fitting on the solar panels, allowing for thorough cleaning. The bristles are made to be thick and soft for an awesome cleaning.

     

    2. Where do you need Auto Clean Solar Street Light?

    The auto cleaning solar street light is ideal for installing in heavy dust areas and areas with a high bird population. When you have traditional solar street lights installed in such areas, you must manually clean them. This means you have to take down the solar street lights every once in a while for cleaning. With the auto clean solar street light, you don’t have to worry about this anymore, as it cleans itself automatically per 4 hours. In areas where wildlife is common, with high dust levels, you can easily install these street lights following the instructions in the manual. No need to hire professionals. The auto clean solar street lights are designed with thick bristles, ideal for cleaning heavy dust particles, oil layers that may accumulate on the solar panels, and waste from birds that may find its way on the solar panels.

    When installing this solar street light, ensure there is no shade. It would be best if you installed it in an open area with an unlimited supply of sunlight for maximum efficiency.

    Auto clean solar street lights save you time, money and the environment with their self-cleaning feature. The auto cleaning mechanism allows you to use this light without worrying about maintenance. The motion sensor will keep the area lit up when someone moves around at night.

    Despite being eco-friendly and energy efficient, these lights are also quite stylish. An elegant design with a modern touch makes these lights look unique and beautiful.

    3. Is Self Cleaning Solar Light reliable?

    The Auto Clean Solar Street Light works very reliably because it has a daily auto-cleaning feature. It is very efficient and saves you the trouble of manually cleaning your solar lights daily.

    The product is designed with an auto-cleaning mechanism that cleans the solar panels daily, so it is always clean and reliable. Here are other reasons why you should consider installing auto clean solar street lights:

    Ease of Installation

    You can install the Auto Clean Solar Street Light yourself without having to call a professional installer or electrician. The product is packed with an installation guide in the manual. Some adjustments might be needed if you have uneven ground.

    Quality Assurance

    The quality assurance process for the product is very important because it ensures that the product will be used properly. If you need to trust or understand the auto-cleaning function, you can contact the manufacturer or ask for help from someone who understands. They will let you understand how to use it correctly and they’ll answer any questions you have on it.

    Cost efficiency

    The cost efficiency of this product is easy to calculate because it costs money to buy, but it saves a lot of time and money. It is an effective and efficient way to save more money on your energy bill in a year by cleaning your solar panel regularly; thus making it more efficient.

    After sale services

    The manufacturer offers 24/7 online help for any questions about the product. You can send them a message using their online form, or you can call their professional team of service providers. They will be able to help you with any problems regarding the product.

      4.What’s the advantage of LUXMAN Auto-cleaning Solar Street Light?

    • Brush casing is made from an aluminum alloy for longer durability.
    • Adopted 100,000hours life time wide voltage input  brushless
    • The brush will automatically return when encountering large obstacles, and will not be stuck, causing damage to the motor.
    • Car-grade brush which can operate in tough outdoor environment.

    Conclusion

    The auto clean solar street light is very popular in the market today because of its quality and other features that contribute to its popularity. If you need a reliable and efficient lighting product, you should consider this. It has an elegant, modern design that makes it perfect for your outdoor space. It helps keep the area clean from dust and bird waste, so it saves you time in the long run.