Intelligent sensors are used in solar lights to manage batteries. These sensors are configured to give desired output and ensure power is distributed over night. Sensors which takes actions depending on the battery status is often referred as ‘intelligent sensor.’ For example, a Solar Street Light with 15 Watt has battery capacity of 100 watt hours, it is expected to work a full night. In order to work a full night, i.e., 11 hours, the light needs 165-watt hours. If we use the battery with 165-watt hours, cost of the solar street light will increase, hence, intelligent sensors are used in solar lights.
All In One Solar Street Lights
This new-age outdoor lighting solution has solar panels, controller, battery and LED merged into a single unit. They are the most sought-after form of solar street lights because of their compact size and elegant designs. All in one solar street lights operate automatically from dusk till dawn with motion sensors. A few seconds after switching on, these lights reduce their brightness to around 20% if there is no movement in the area. The lights can glow up to full brightness as soon as they detect any infrared waves that radiate from any moving objects. Again, dim mode is reverted when there is no movement identified. Lights with motion sensor feature are suitable for areas where vehicle movement is predictable.
Integrated Solar Street Lights
Intelligent sensors are used differently in integrated solar street lights without motion sensors. This energy-efficient feature helps the lights to operate at 100% brightness for the first four hours of their operation and then the brightness is electronically reduced to around 20% until sunrise. Use of intelligent sensors helps the charge to last longer and this saved-up charge will come handy to illuminate the lights during overcast days when there is no sufficient sunlight for the panels to absorb. Areas where night-long illumination is warranted with people and vehicular movement throughout the night, solar street lights with this feature are the perfect choice.
PIR (passive infrared) motion sensors are used in solar street light applications where the sensors do not directly emit infrared signals but instead passively detect radiations coming from warmer objects from surrounding area. PIR sensors are capable of detecting infrared energy from human or animal body or vehicles from a considerable distance. Installed around properties or on the streets, solar lights with intelligent sensors help in keeping away burglars and reducing crime. Usually, PIR sensors can detect objects within a 6-meter range and can be used as security lights.
Renewable energy, especially solar energy, is the future and with technological advancements, solar lights are only to get more intelligent and smarter in the coming decades. The concept of smart solar street lights uses real-time technology in order to remotely monitor and control the lights and IoT platform can aid in incorporating various environmental sensors such as detecting pollutants and recording temperature. Data collection is also made possible with this modern and intelligent technology in order to monitor traffic and to aid in data-driven decision-making process.