Solar Street Lights

Types

• All-in-one solar street light — panel, battery, controller and lamp in one body. Quick to install on a pole.
• Semi-integrated light — panel and fitting in one unit, battery mounted separately.
• Split or conventional solar street light — separate panel, battery box and luminaire. Larger and easier to service and upgrade.
• Solar garden and bollard lights — small units for paths and parks.
• Solar flood light — for gates, yards and boundary walls.

What to check before buying

• LED wattage and lumen output, and the number of nights of autonomy (backup in cloudy weather).
• Solar panel wattage and type, such as monocrystalline.
• Battery chemistry, usually lithium iron phosphate or tubular, with capacity and cycle life.
• Charge controller type (MPPT is more efficient), dusk-to-dawn and dimming options.
• Pole height, foundation, wind load and ingress protection of at least IP65.
• Warranty on battery, panel and luminaire separately, installation scope, GST invoice and any MNRE-related benefit applicable to your category.

Who buys them

Panchayats and villages, housing societies, campuses, farms, highways contractors, industrial sites, schools and NGOs.

Frequently asked questions

Do solar street lights work in monsoon?

Yes if designed with enough autonomy, usually two to three nights. Ask for the stated backup days.

All-in-one or split type?

All-in-one is quick and tidy for small roads. Split suits larger lamps, shaded poles, or places where the panel needs a better angle.

How often should the battery be replaced?

Lithium batteries commonly last several years. Ask for the stated cycle life and warranty terms.