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Today, the pollution from traditional energy sources is becoming increasingly severe, and the ecological environment is no longer comparable to the past. In some areas, the pollution is so severe that acid rain occurs, which is corrosive and harmful to human health.
This is why there is a current call for policies to enhance energy conservation and environmental protection. With the shortage of traditional energy, the application of solar power will become more widespread, especially solar energy for electricity generation, which has developed rapidly in just a few years. Solar street lights, which utilize solar energy for power generation, are now widely recognized as both energy-saving and environmentally friendly.
1: Currently, solar power generation is a crucial application. Taking a dual-circuit solar street light as an example, the total load is 60 watts. In the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, there is effective sunlight for about 4.5 hours per day. With a nighttime discharge of 7 hours and a 20% reserve calculation for the solar panels, approximately 160W of solar panels is needed. Considering the cost per watt is 4 yuan, the expense for the solar panels would be 640 yuan. Additionally, the cost for a battery system of around 180AH would be approximately 1080 yuan. The initial investment cost of the entire street light is higher than that for conventional electric street lights, but typically, solar street lights can recover costs within 3 to 5 years.
2: Some contractors choose LED lights for solar street lighting; however, the quality of some LED lights varies significantly, and those with severe light decay may experience a 50% reduction in brightness within six months. Therefore, it is essential to select LED lights with slower light decay or to consider using induction lamps or low-pressure sodium lamps.
3: The lifespan of the battery must also be taken into consideration in the entire street light system. Standard batteries come with a warranty of three or five years, but it is crucial to pay attention to the quality of the batteries to ensure proper illumination during extended periods of overcast weather. Hence, choosing a high-quality battery is very important.
4: The selection of the controller is often overlooked by contractors, but the quality of the controller is very important. The market price for a 12V/10A controller ranges from 100 to 200 yuan. Although it is a small part of the overall street light system, it plays a vital role. The quality of the controller directly affects the lifespan of the components in the solar street light system and the overall procurement cost of the solar street lights.
Firstly, a controller with low power consumption should be selected. Controllers operate continuously for 24 hours, which consumes energy; hence, a controller with a consumption below 1 milliampere (mA) is advisable. Secondly, a controller with dual power adjustment should be chosen. Power-adjusting controllers are widely promoted, allowing one or both circuits to turn off during nighttime, saving electricity while also allowing for power adjustments for LED lights. Thirdly, controllers with high charging efficiency should be selected. Controllers with the MCT charging mode can automatically track the solar panels’ high current, especially during winter or periods of insufficient sunlight. MCT controllers operate with about 20% higher efficiency than others.
5: The waterproof capability of the controller is also crucial. Although the controller is usually housed within the lamp cover or battery box and is unlikely to get wet, in practical engineering cases, the terminal connections may short-circuit due to rainwater flowing along the connection lines. Therefore, during installation, it is essential to bend the internal connection lines into a “U” shape and fix them accordingly, while external connection lines can also be secured in a “U” shape. This way, rainwater cannot penetrate and cause short circuits or damage to other components. Additionally, waterproof sealant can be applied at the internal and external wire interfaces to ensure maximum protection.
