Solar street lights are driven by solar energy. They use solar panels as a substitute energy source, which are installed on poles or lighting structures. These panels charge rechargeable batteries that supply power to the solar street lights at night. How should you install solar street light panels and what points should you pay attention to? Let’s take a look!
1. Choose the Right Frame Material
Solar frames are often made of certain steel materials, which generally do not perform very well. To ensure effectiveness, they are usually hot-dip galvanized to enhance corrosion resistance. However, some solar street light manufacturers use cold galvanization to save costs; this process results in a very thin coating that is not very corrosion-resistant, so it’s important to distinguish between them.
In coastal cities where salt spray is prevalent, it is best to choose stainless steel or aluminum alloys that have undergone heat treatment, as they offer higher corrosion resistance and durability. In cities like Yichang with a more suitable environment, the choice of frame material can be based on actual needs.
Additionally, the framework must be securely welded or installed with the base to ensure that the solar panels have sufficient strength and stability to withstand harsh weather conditions like strong winds or snow accumulations. It is best to install solar panels in areas without any obstructions.
2. Install Lightning Protection Devices
When installing the panels, it is also crucial to have lightning protection, especially in cities prone to frequent thunderstorms. Without it, nearby lightning strikes can create overvoltage and overcurrent, potentially damaging the batteries with surges from lightning.
Generally, a photovoltaic-specific surge protective device (SPD) should be installed in the DC distribution cabinet (combiner box). It is essential to ensure proper equipotential grounding and direct lightning protection for the solar street light systems.
3. Identify Positive and Negative Terminals
Next, ensure you identify the positive and negative terminals of the solar panels correctly during installation, as reversing the polarity will prevent the panels from functioning, and the controller’s indicator light will not turn on. In serious cases, it could even damage the diodes, so caution is necessary.
Additionally, keep the wires as short as possible to reduce internal resistance and ensure solid connections to avoid increasing contact resistance. This will enhance working efficiency. Furthermore, pay attention to environmental temperatures and allow for spare capacity in temperature parameters of the wires during installation.
4. Avoid Wearing Metal Jewelry
When installing solar panels, it is best to avoid wearing metal jewelry to prevent the positive and negative terminals from coming into direct contact with metal objects. This could potentially cause short circuits, and in severe cases, may lead to fires or explosions.
The above points regarding the installation of solar street light panels are shared here. I hope this article is helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a message, and we will respond promptly.
