Installation and maintenance of solar street lights are much easier compared to traditional street lights. The advantage of not requiring any wiring makes solar street lights the perfect choice to illuminate areas with minimal or no access to a power grid. This cost-effective outdoor lighting system is sought after for its hassle-free operation. Solar street lights require no underlying cable work or any complicated power facilities for their installation. Since the lights run purely on solar energy, the operational costs are minimal and as they are not connected to the grid, you end up saving both labor and maintenance costs.
The components of integrated or split solar street lights are solar panels, controllers, batteries, and light source. The integrated solar street lights come with battery and luminary as a single unit and the solar panel as a separate unit. Integrated solar street lights can be installed either on a pole or a wall depending on the area to be covered. To receive proper and complete benefit of your installed unit, there are a few points to keep in mind:
PREPARATION
Choosing the right location is the first step in installation. It is recommended that you choose a spot where direct sunlight falls throughout the day for the battery to charge to its fullest and to give good brightness and backup after sunset. The ground chosen should be flat or slightly inclined surface. Usually, solar street lights are installed by professionals; however, since the steps to be followed are simple and unchallenged, one may do it using basic spanners and screwdrivers with the help of one or two people. It is important to read the manufacturer’s instructions with regards to installation and familiarize yourself with the components of the integrated solar street light unit. The kit should be complete with all the necessary parts for successful installation. Once you have identified and secured the area and collected all the necessary tools, the ground should be dug at least 3 feet deep to install the pole.
ATTACHING LUMINARY AND PANEL
Before the pole is erected, all the components must be attached to the pole. Utmost care should be taken while handling solar panels as they are the primary unit for any solar lighting system. Read and understand the user manual to know the interrelationship between the solar panel, the battery and other units and connect the wires accordingly. Solar panel and the luminary unit should be attached to the arm. Once that is done, the arm is secured to the pole after lifting it slightly off the ground for easy access.
The LED fixture should be removed vigilantly from the kit and placed on the ground facing upwards. Once again, read the manual for accurate instructions and secure the lamp holder onto the arm with the help of screws. The solar panel is also fastened to the arm and once the arm is ready with solar panel and luminary attached to it correctly, fix the arm to the pole and secure it with the bolts given in the kit. Now, make sure everything is connected as per the instructions given. The wire connections have to be checked before hoisting the pole. Ensure the solar panel is angled in such a way that it receives maximum sunlight. The average installation height is 4 to 5 meters and preferred pole diameter is 2.5 inches.
FINAL INSPECTION AND HOISTING THE POLE
It is always better to charge the solar street lights beforehand so that you can see soon after the installation whether you have connected everything accurately and if the lights are working. Once again, remember that the direction of solar panel can be adjusted according to the direction of sunlight and you may pull the pole upright with the help of a crane or minimum manpower depending on the weight of the pole. The pole should be placed carefully into the already prepared hole on the ground and secured with concrete as this will serve as the foundation of your solar street light. If there are more than one integrated solar street lights being installed to cover a larger area, ensure that you maintain an even distance between poles and the suggested installation distance is 10 to 15 meters. This helps in uniform and adequate distribution of light to the entire area.
Integrated solar street lights and some All in One Solar Street Lights can also be mounted on walls. After identifying a shadow-free area where the panels may receive sufficient direct sunlight and after deciding the height, in which the unit has to be installed, the luminary and panel must be attached to the arm and the arm must be secured to the wall using Anchor bolts. Integrated solar street lights can be used both in public and private properties to illuminate a larger space. Integrated solar street lights tend to charge faster as the solar panels used are bigger in size and offer longer backup. They are well known for their dimming features and are well suited in all climatic conditions.
Integrated solar street lights switch on automatically as the sun goes down and switch off at dawn and hence they do not require any maintenance after installation; however, to increase the brightness and efficiency, you may clean the panels if required. The solar panels are placed at an angle to avoid water stagnation and the rain water washes off most of the dirt and dust accumulated on the panels. Nowadays, integrated solar street light manufacturers and dealers offer a variety of options for you to choose from. Understand the features of each of the units and discuss in detail with your dealer to decide which integrated solar street light is best suited for your needs.