Solar
Solar Street Lights: How to Choose the Right One for Your Estate or Road
Short answer
A solar street light has its own panel, battery and LED lamp, and switches on automatically at dusk. Choose lamp wattage and pole height from the width of the road and the area to light, battery storage for two to three nights, a lithium battery with a good charge controller, and a weatherproof rating of IP65 or better.
How solar street lights work
During the day the panel charges the battery through a charge controller. At dusk a light sensor switches the LED lamp on, and a timer or motion sensor can dim or switch it off before dawn. There is no cable to the grid and no electricity bill.
All-in-one or split design
- All-in-one: Panel, battery and lamp are in one fixture on the pole. Simple and quick to install.
- Split: A separate panel and battery box allow larger batteries and better panel positioning. Common for higher-power lamps.
Typical starting points
| Application | Pole height | LED power | Typical spacing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estate footpath or small road | 4 to 6 m | 20 to 40 W | 15 to 20 m |
| Estate main road | 6 to 8 m | 40 to 80 W | 20 to 30 m |
| Parking area or yard | 6 to 8 m | 60 to 100 W | Depends on layout |
Rules of thumb. A proper lighting layout considers the lamp optics, road width and the level of light you need.
What to check before you buy
- Battery: lithium (LFP) lasts longer in heat. Ask for autonomy: at least two to three nights without sun.
- Charge controller: MPPT controllers charge more efficiently than basic PWM units.
- Lumens, not just watts: Compare lamp output in lumens and the light distribution pattern.
- Weather rating: IP65 or better for lamp and battery enclosure.
- Pole and foundation: Galvanised pole, correct wall thickness and concrete foundation for wind load.
- Panel position: Full sun, no shade from trees or buildings.
- Warranty and support: Panel, battery and lamp warranties and who services them.
Maintenance
Clean panels periodically, check the pole and fittings, and replace batteries at the end of their life. Estates and institutions can set up a maintenance contract.
Common questions
Do solar street lights work in the rainy season?
Yes, when sized with several nights of battery autonomy. Output from the panel drops in overcast weather, so battery size matters.
How bright should a street light be?
It depends on pole height and area. Estate paths often use 20 to 40 W LED lamps, main roads more.
Are motion-sensing street lights worth it?
They save battery by dimming when no one is around, so they can allow a smaller battery or longer autonomy.