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As the global energy crisis intensifies, countries are searching for solutions to this dilemma. Intelligent humans have discovered and utilized solar energy. As a massive renewable energy source, solar energy is inexhaustible and thus increasingly valued. At this time, the development of solar street lighting has become more refined. So what should be considered in the design of solar street light systems? Here are some insights shared by Century Sunshine Lighting.
1. Solar Battery Modules
The voltage of solar battery modules decreases with increasing temperature. Due to the high temperature, the voltage loss of the battery module is approximately 2V, and there is a 0.7V drop across the diode on the charge controller. Therefore, it is recommended to select modules with a working voltage of 18V. Due to the nature of solar street lights, the solar panels are generally installed on lamp poles, which are usually above 5 meters high with a high center of gravity. Most solar panels are also suspended, so to enhance the equipment’s wind resistance, it is common to use multiple solar panels to achieve the required module power.
2. Battery Bank
When selecting batteries, several factors need to be considered, such as the impact of discharge rates on battery capacity, temperature effects on capacity, and discharge depth’s influence on capacity. Therefore, it is essential to use deep cycle batteries specifically designed for solar energy. When connecting batteries in parallel, the imbalance between individual batteries should be considered; typically, the number of parallel groups should not exceed four.
3. Selection of the Light Source
The choice of light source is the most crucial step for solar street lights. Currently, specialized light sources for solar street lights are limited, and to minimize the loss of limited energy, direct current (DC) light sources should be prioritized. Common light sources include DC energy-saving lamps, high-frequency magnetic induction lamps, low-pressure sodium lamps, and LED sources. As a semiconductor light source, LEDs are rapidly evolving and are considered the ideal source for solar street lights. LED street light sources are multifunctional, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly, suitable for various lighting applications. LED drivers, designed specifically for LED street light systems, provide stable power for LED fixtures. With advanced electronic power technology, two output modes have been developed: high-efficiency enhancement mode and ultra-energy-saving pulse width modulation (PWM) mode. By controlling timing, LEDs can be illuminated in high-efficiency mode during peak times (when there are many pedestrians and vehicles) and switched to ultra-energy-saving mode at other times to conserve battery power. Additionally, most solar street light projects in the country need to meet urban road lighting standards in terms of brightness.
4. Controller
The controller is a key component that acts as the manager of the entire street light system. Its primary function is to manage the batteries comprehensively. A good controller should set various key parameters based on the characteristics of the batteries, such as overcharge points, deep discharge points, recovery connection points, and state of charge (SOC) discharge control. When selecting a street light controller, special attention should be paid to the recovery connection point parameters. Given that batteries have a voltage self-recovery characteristic, when a battery is in a deep discharge state, the controller disconnects the load. If the battery voltage recovers afterward and the controller parameters are improperly set, it may result in flickering lights and shorten the lifespan of both the battery and the light source.
The considerations regarding the design of solar street light systems shared above conclude our discussion. Solar street lights do not require cable installation, do not need AC power supply, and do not incur electricity costs. They have numerous advantages, including good stability, long lifespan, high luminous efficiency, simple installation and maintenance, high safety performance, energy conservation, environmental friendliness, and cost-effectiveness, making them widely applicable in urban main and secondary roads, residential communities, factories, tourist attractions, parking lots, and other locations.
