BUYING GUIDES
Solar street light project enquiry checklist
A solar street light is sized from the site, not from a catalogue wattage. These details let a supplier size the panel, battery and luminaire for your location and compare split and all-in-one options on the same basis.
Updated
Project location
Give the city or GPS coordinates. Solar resource varies widely between regions and seasons, and the system should be sized for the darkest month rather than the yearly average. Note any shading from trees or buildings at the pole positions.
Lighting hours and dimming
State when the lights switch on and off, for example dusk to dawn, and any dimming steps, such as full output for the first hours and a lower level until dawn. A motion sensor can raise the output when people or vehicles pass.
Autonomy
Autonomy is the number of nights a light must keep working without sunshine. Two to three nights covers many sites; regions with long rainy seasons need more. Higher autonomy needs a larger battery and panel.
Light output and mounting height
Give the road or path width, the required illuminance or lighting class if one is specified, the pole spacing and the mounting height. All-in-one lights are often used at 4 m to 8 m; split systems suit taller poles and higher outputs.
Split, all-in-one or poles only
Say which configuration you prefer, or ask for a comparison. Split systems allow larger panels and batteries; all-in-one lights install faster; a poles-only order suits projects that already have panels and luminaires.
Battery and components
Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are now standard in solar street lighting. If your tender fixes the battery capacity, panel wattage, controller type (MPPT or PWM), luminaire efficacy or warranty period, include those values.
Site and installation
- Pole positions and spacing.
- Foundation type and soil conditions, if known.
- Panel orientation towards the equator and any shading.
- Anti-theft fixings or battery location requirements.
- Delivery port and target date.
Documents to request
- Sizing calculation for your location.
- Data sheets for the panel, battery, controller and luminaire.
- Test reports for the luminaire and battery, where available.
- Pole drawing and galvanizing record.
- Installation instructions.
