Solar street light is a device that uses solar energy to generate electricity and store electricity for lighting at night. However, there may be some misunderstandings during the installation of solar panel street lights. The wrong way to install solar street lights will reduce the lighting time and life of solar lights.
ADNLITE solar street light manufacturer wants to let you learn the details that need to be paid attention to during the installation of solar lights through this article. In addition, we will also introduce the installation process of split solar street lights and integrated solar street lights.
7 Mistakes of Solar Street Lights Installation
The 7 incorrect installation methods for solar street lights that our customers have informed us about are listed below:
1. Incorrect Installation Location Selection
The installation location of solar panel street lights is very important. Installing in the shadow of high walls or trees, or being blocked by buildings, fences and other objects will affect the charging effect of solar panels. Even a small shadow on a solar panel can cause a large drop in power across the solar panel. The chips of a solar panel are usually arranged in multiple strings. If a darker shade falls on one cell in the string, the entire string of solar chips will not work. If the solar panels are stringed together, the entire solar panel will not generate electricity. Therefore, the correct choice of installation location is the key to ensure the normal operation of street solar lights.
2. There is Another Light Source
Another situation is that there is another light source next to the solar panel. In this case, the charging voltage of the solar panel will be higher than the voltage controlling the lights. This will prevent the LED from lighting up. For example, there are other street lights next to the solar street lights. Turning on the street lights caused the solar panels to detect the light source, misjudging it as daytime. At this point, the controller will turn off the LED.
3. Irrespective of Lighting Conditions
Solar panel street lights need sufficient sunlight to charge and provide lighting. If there is not enough direct sunlight or is often shaded, the performance of solar street lights will be affected. Therefore, lighting conditions should be carefully evaluated prior to installation.
4. Incorrect Installation Angle
Incorrect installation angle of the solar panel will lead to inefficient charging of the solar panel. Correct angle adjustment of solar panels follows a simple principle. Allow direct sunlight to hit the solar panels to maximize charging efficiency. In various locations, the tilt angle of the solar panels can be referenced to the local latitude. Latitude is the degree to which the solar panel is tilted horizontally. Therefore, it is crucial to adjust the angle of the solar panels for different latitudes and road surfaces.
5. Ignoring Battery Capacity And Quality
Batteries are an important part of storing solar energy. Some installers may opt for lower quality or insufficient capacity batteries to keep costs down. However, this can result in insufficient lighting hours at night or shortened battery life. High-quality batteries with suitable capacity should be selected to ensure the reliability and performance of street solar lights.
6. Cable Too Long
Considering the shading problem of the installation site, there needs to be a long distance between the solar panel and the lamp. Some people will separate the solar panel and lights by 10 meters or more. Then buy two-core random wire from the market to connect the solar panel and the light. If the connected wires are too thin and too long, considerable energy will be lost. This reduces the charging efficiency of the whole solar light.
7. Lack of Proper Maintenance Plan
Solar powered street lights require regular maintenance. This includes cleaning solar panels, checking battery status, cleaning light fixtures, and more. Some installers may neglect a maintenance schedule resulting in degraded or damaged equipment. Regular maintenance is the key to ensure the long-term effective operation of solar street lights.
Solar Street Light Installation Guide
Sure! Here’s a general guide for installing solar street lights:
Determine The Installation Location
Choose a suitable outdoor solar street light installation location. Consider factors such as sunlight availability, the absence of shading objects, and the lighting requirements of the area.
Prepare The Foundation
Ensure a stable foundation for the street light. It should be capable of supporting the weight of the light pole and withstand environmental conditions. Excavate a hole and pour concrete to create the foundation.
Install The Pole
Place the light pole into the foundation and secure it properly. Ensure that the pole is straight and aligned vertically. Use nuts and bolts to fix the pole firmly in place.
Mount The Solar Panel
Attach the solar panel to the top of the light pole or nearby structure. Position it at an angle that allows for maximum sunlight exposure. Secure the panel using suitable mounting brackets.
Connect The Components
Connect the solar panel, battery, and LED light fixture using the provided cables. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper wiring and connections. Take precautions to ensure the connections are secure and protected from weather conditions.
Install The Battery Box
Mount the battery box on the pole or nearby structure. Ensure that it is securely fixed and protected from moisture and dust. Connect the battery to the system according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Set Up The Controller
Considering the shading problem of the installation site, there needs to be a long distance between the solar panel and the lamp. Some people will separate the solar panel and lights by 10 meters or more. Then buy two-core random wire from the market to connect the solar panel and the light. If the connected wires are too thin and too long, considerable energy will be lost. This reduces the charging efficiency of the whole solar light.
Test The System
Before finalizing the installation, thoroughly test the solar street light system. Verify that all connections are functioning correctly. Including the charging, battery storage, and lighting. Adjust any settings or connections as necessary.
Secure The Light Fixture
Attach the LED light fixture to the top of the pole securely. Ensure it is appropriately aligned and directed towards the desired illumination area. Use appropriate fixtures or brackets provided with the light for proper installation.
Perform Regular Maintenance
Establish a maintenance schedule for the solar power street light system. Regularly clean the solar panels, check the battery status, and inspect the system’s overall condition. Replace any faulty components promptly to ensure continuous operation.
Please pay attention. This is a general guide. Specific installation instructions may vary by manufacturer and model of solar street light system. Always refer to the manufacturer’s documentation and guides for exact installation instructions.
Different Ways to Install Solar Street Lights
Split Solar Street Light Installation
Compared with integrated solar powered street lights, the installation of split solar street lights is a little more troublesome. While fastening each component with screws, it is also necessary to connect the lines between the solar lamp components. For specific installation steps, please watch the video below.
All-in-one Solar Street Light Installation
The difference between semi-split and integrated solar street light installations is that semi-split solar panels need to be installed separately. So, here we only show the installation steps of the integrated solar street light.
Installation Steps
- Select the best day-lighting location to set up the pole. Pole 3-5
meters high is appropriate, diameter 40 ~ 100mm thicker than a 2.0mm iron or steel rod. - Open the packaging and check if the components are completed. It contains components as follows.
- Turn on the switch before installation.
- Put integrated solar light into the pole, fasten the screws with special tools, and ensure the light is rm.
Conclusion
Installing solar powered street light is an important lighting project. But there are some common misunderstandings in the implementation process. By discussing these myths and providing installation guidelines, this article hopes to help readers avoid common mistakes and ensure the normal operation and long-term performance of solar street lighting systems.
First, we stress the importance of considering lighting conditions when choosing an installation location. Sufficient sunlight is the basis for solar street lights to work properly, so a location free of shade should be chosen and lighting conditions evaluated to ensure optimal performance.
Secondly, the correct selection and installation of batteries is also crucial. Low-quality or insufficient capacity batteries will result in insufficient lighting time or shortened battery life for solar street lights. We encourage the selection of high quality batteries of appropriate capacity and following the manufacturer’s recommendations.
In addition, maintaining the solar street light system is also the key to ensure its long-term effective operation. Regular cleaning of solar panels, checking battery status and light fixtures, and having a sound maintenance schedule in place can prevent performance degradation or damage.
Finally, proper design and installation are also key factors in the successful installation of solar street lights. Reasonable line layout, controller selection and lamp configuration can improve energy utilization and system stability.
To sum up, we can ensure the normal work of solar street light system and provide Reliable lighting effects. The installation of solar street lights requires careful evaluation and careful operation, but once installed correctly, they will become an energy-saving, environmentally friendly and sustainable lighting solution, providing a safe and comfortable lighting environment for communities and roads.