Solar lighting is a modern innovation that offers the best of both worlds. From harnessing the suns’ renewable and unlimited energy to lighting up your homes or streets, solar lighting has a bright future. Pun intended. Here is a detailed guide to help you learn more about solar lighting and what things to keep in mind when buying it.
How does Solar Lighting work
The science geeks can skip this one. For all the others, solar lighting works just like normal lighting does, the only difference is that the energy source is the sun. The core of solar lighting, the solar cell uses the photovoltaic effect to convert light energy into electrical energy. The crystalline silicon layers and chemicals in the solar panel have layers of positively charged spaces and electrons which are pushed around as they get energized by the suns’ energy. The energy then flows into the battery as an electric current and is stored. Some solar lights have photoreceptors that can detect when it’s dark and the lights are turned on automatically.
Components of a typical solar light
A typical working solar lighting system has the following components:
Solar Pane
lA solar panel is a collection of solar cells which convert solar energy to electrical energy.
There are three main types of solar panels:
1. Polycrystalline silicon solar cells: Suitable for regions with consistent levels of sunlight. It has a cheaper price point and has a simple mechanism.
2. Monocrystalline silicon solar cells: Suitable for regions with an inconsistent weather profile and rainy days because they produce a relatively stable output.
3. Amorphous Silicon solar cells
Tips and tricks for choosing and maintaining your solar panel:
1. There are two packaging processes namely lamination and epoxy. The lamination process comes with a 25-year working guarantee, superior service life, and process than the epoxy process.
2. Installation angles are imperative to the efficiency of solar panels. A horizontally installed panel reduces the output by 15% to 20%. The inclination angle of installation depends on the latitude. 300 degrees is typical for low latitude regions while 450-500 degrees is typical for higher latitudes.
3. Make sure nothing is blocking sunlight from the panel or part of the panel. Leaves and snow are common in fall and winters so be cautious then. This is because the blocked solar cell will be damaged when exposed to sunlight and may also damage the entire panel
Solar Charge controllerTo extend your battery life, a good charging and discharging controller is essential. This will prevent your battery from overcharging, provide temperature compensation in some cases as well as street light control. If you live in a region with drastic temperature changes, buy a controller with a temperature compensation feature.
Solar BatteryChoosing the right battery is crucial to the overall solar lighting system. Too small of a battery won’t cater to your requirements and too big of a battery will be left with insufficient energy which will decrease its life, apart from your investment being waste.
How to choose the best solar battery:
. Lithium batteries are your best bet. With a life expectancy of 5 to 10 years, they are reliable, easy to install, and have a small footprint.
. The trick to getting your battery capacity right is to know that the solar cell power has to be four times higher than the load power, which means the solar cell voltage must be 20% to 30% higher for perfect charging of the battery.
LED Light Source
LED lights convert light energy into DC which is why they operate on lower voltages. The DC power and voltage must be compatible for optimum results. LED lights have a longer lifespan of 1000000 hours and are highly efficient.
Benefits of using solar lighting
1. Renewable: using a renewable energy source like sunlight decreases the carbon footprint and will help preserve exhaustible resources.
2. Mobile: Solar lighting is cordless and therefore can be installed anywhere.
3. Affordable: Solar lighting is a one-time investment. It will last for years and will make a significant difference in your electricity bill and prove to be cost-effective in the long run.
4. Low maintenance: there is no strict maintenance regimen required for solar lighting. Cleaning throughout the year, keeping your panels clean, and getting them checked by a technician twice a year is enough to maintain the system.
5. Versatile: There is a vast variety of styles and designs with multiple functionalities available to suit your purposes
6. Unlimited energy
Types of solar lights
Solar String Lights
These lights can completely transform your backyard for a party or dinner because of their whimsical appearance. Even though these lights do not provide enough light, they work great for decorations. These lights can easily be moved from one place to other.
Solar Flood Lights
Floodlights basically ‘flood’ or illuminate a large area with light. They are perfect for garages and backyards.
Solar Street Lights
Because these lights are not connected to the utility grid, they are cheaper and wireless. With very bright bulbs, they efficiently light up roads, streets, and neighborhoods.
Solar Traffic Lights
These lights are energy-efficient and do not have to be replaced often. They provide the best solution in cases of natural disasters when electricity is not available.
There are innumerable other types of solar lighting available with different styles, designs, and functionalities.
Features to look out for in solar lighting
Purpose
Analyze your needs carefully before deciding on which type of solar lighting to go for. Most solar lights differ in illumination, lux, and design. Here are few key pointers to consider:
. 50 lumens is bright enough for walkways and backyard decorations.
. 75 lumens offers moderate brightness perfect for any purpose that doesn’t require too much or too little light.
. 100 lumens is very bright, suitable for garages, construction sites, street lights, etc.
Battery
There are four main types of batteries:
. Lead Acid: high power, large capacity of 4000mAh to 6000mAh
. Lithium-Ion: Long-lasting, higher capacity of 2000mAh to 6000mAh
. NiMH:2000 mAh capacity
. NiCad: 600mAh capacity
Recharge time and Run time
Charging time is greatly dependent on the location and climate therefore, select the model accordingly. Choose an efficient charging panel if it rains a lot where you live. On average, it takes 6-7 hours for the batteries to charge completely with a run time of 10-12 hours.
Material
lThe entire solar lighting system is installed in open-air and is therefore exposed to all environmental changed like extreme weather conditions. Materials like ABSplastic, aluminum, and stainless steel are great for a durable system. The system must also be waterproof or the lights IP 55 certified as they are made to withstand harsh conditions.
Refer to the information above to know about the right controller, solar panel, and light bulb you should go for.
FAQ's
Q: Does solar lighting work in the shade?
Yes, but is not as effective.
Q: Can I charge my solar lights without the sun?
Yes, put your light in front of any light source. However, the process will be tedious and not as efficient.
Q: Why have my solar lights stopped working?
When your lights stop working out of the blue, 8 out of 10 times the problem is with the battery. Check that first, if not, check your panels.