During the procurement of solar street lights, many buyers fall into various purchasing traps due to insufficient understanding of core parameters, product configurations, and other critical information. This not only leads to subpar operational performance and reduced lifespan but also increases safety risks and long-term maintenance costs. This article systematically dissects six common pitfalls in solar street light procurement. By integrating practical usage requirements with technical specifications, it offers actionable strategies to help buyers accurately select cost-effective products that meet their needs.
solar led street lights
The battery serves as the “energy reservoir” for solar street lights, directly determining the device’s nighttime runtime and stability. Failing to match battery capacity appropriately often results in insufficient illumination duration.
With insufficient battery capacity, the street light may only operate for 3-5 hours, failing to cover the entire nighttime lighting requirement. This leaves roadways unlit during the early morning hours, increasing the risk of accidents for pedestrians and vehicles. Additionally, prolonged “deep discharge” conditions accelerate battery degradation. A battery designed to last 5-8 years may require replacement after just 3 years, significantly raising long-term maintenance costs.
Before procurement, assess solar street light battery capacity based on three core factors: installation location, sunlight exposure, and operational requirements. For installation location, consider the area’s average annual sunlight hours and frequency of cloudy/rainy days. For instance, rainy regions require a reserve capacity to sustain 3-5 days of cloudy/rainy conditions. For operational requirements, determine daily lighting hours and fixture power. For instance, an 8-hour nighttime lighting requirement with 100W fixtures necessitates a larger battery capacity.
Regarding usage scenarios, assess whether emergency lighting or frequent on/off cycles are needed. Main road lights requiring 24/7 standby demand batteries capable of deep discharge cycles. Refer to the table below for specific evaluation dimensions:
| Evaluation Dimension | Key Considerations | Example |
| Installation Location & Sunlight | Annual sunlight duration, frequency of rainy days | In rainy regions, reserve 3–5 days of battery capacity for cloudy weather |
| Operational Requirements | Daily lighting hours, lamp power | For 8-hour nightly lighting with a 100W lamp, a larger-capacity battery is needed |
| Application Scenario | Need for emergency lighting, frequency of switching | Main road lamps require 24-hour standby and batteries supporting deep discharge cycles |
Solar panels serve as the “energy source” for street lights, with their quality directly impacting power generation and overall system efficiency. Many purchasers prioritize low prices by selecting substandard solar panels, leading to frequent issues down the line.
Low-quality solar panels (such as inefficient monocrystalline silicon or poorly coated panels) achieve only 12%-15% energy conversion efficiency—far below the 18%-22% of premium products. Even on sunny days, they cannot achieve full energy storage. Additionally, these panels exhibit poor resistance to harsh weather conditions. Exposure to high temperatures, heavy rain, or sandstorms often causes coating peeling and frame rusting. This reduces the lifespan of LED solar street lights from the standard 8-10 years to just 3-4 years, ultimately increasing replacement costs.
When purchasing, prioritize checking the solar panel’s conversion efficiency. Select products labeled with “Conversion Efficiency ≥ 18%” and insist that suppliers provide third-party test reports to avoid “false claims.” Second, meticulously inspect materials and craftsmanship. Panels must use high-transmittance tempered glass to ensure optimal light absorption. Frames should be made of corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy to extend outdoor service life. The encapsulation adhesive on the back must possess high-temperature resistance, capable of withstanding environmental temperature variations from -30°C to 80°C.
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Solar street lights are not standalone devices but complete systems comprising “solar panels + batteries + controllers + luminaires + mounting brackets.” Substandard quality in any component compromises overall operational stability. Some purchasers focus solely on the main equipment’s performance while neglecting accessory quality, ultimately leading to frequent system failures.
If component parameters are mismatched—such as pairing high-wattage fixtures with low-capacity batteries—it creates an “overburdened system” scenario. This causes frequent automatic shutdowns, preventing normal illumination. Additionally, if the mounting bracket lacks wind-resistant design features (e.g., insufficient reinforcing ribs or inadequate bolt specifications), it becomes prone to collapse during typhoons or strong winds. This not only disrupts lighting but also poses safety hazards to pedestrians and vehicles nearby.
First, prioritize large-scale street light manufacturers. These companies conduct compatibility testing on all components before shipment, ensuring solar panels, batteries, and controllers are parameter-matched to eliminate risks from “cobbled-together” assemblies. Second, meticulously verify component standards during procurement. Mounting brackets must meet local wind pressure standards—e.g., coastal regions require resistance to Category 12 typhoons. Battery cables should use flame-retardant materials to prevent short circuits, while controllers must incorporate overload protection to avoid equipment damage from excessive current.
LED fixtures generate significant heat during operation. Poor heat dissipation design prevents timely heat removal, accelerating chip degradation. Installed outdoors, solar street lights face complex environments with large day-night temperature fluctuations and intense summer heat, making heat management critical. Overlooking this aspect drastically shortens fixture lifespan.
For every 10°C increase in the PN junction temperature of an LED chip, its lifespan decreases by 50%. Substandard solar street lights, lacking proper heat dissipation structures, can cause chip temperatures to exceed 80°C. Fixtures designed to last 5-6 years may experience noticeable brightness degradation within 2-3 years—dropping from initial 1000lm to below 500lm—failing to meet lighting requirements. Simultaneously, high temperatures can cause deformation of the lamp housing and melting of the sealant. Rainwater infiltration then easily triggers internal short circuits, directly damaging the equipment.
When purchasing, first select products with an “aluminum heat dissipation housing.” Aluminum alloy offers excellent thermal conductivity, achieving over 30% higher heat dissipation efficiency than plastic housings, enabling rapid transfer of heat generated by the chip. Second, inspect whether the housing features “heat dissipation fins.” These fins increase the heat dissipation surface area, further enhancing cooling performance—particularly suitable for high-temperature environments.
Finally, verify if the product employs a “bottom vented design.” Some premium models incorporate ventilation openings at the base, utilizing air convection to accelerate heat dissipation and ensure the chip remains within optimal operating temperatures.
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The controller serves as the “brain” of solar street lights, managing battery charging and discharging processes while controlling the lighting system’s on/off functions. It is crucial for the safe operation of the entire system. However, many purchasers fall into the misconception that “the controller is just a simple switch,” leading them to arbitrarily choose low-cost, substandard products. This ultimately results in battery damage.
Low-quality controllers lack overcharge and over-discharge protection. They continue charging even after the battery is full, causing swelling and deformation. If discharge continues when the battery level drops below 20%, irreversible damage occurs, drastically shortening battery life—typically reducing operational lifespan by over 40%. Additionally, such controllers exhibit poor light sensitivity, potentially causing anomalies like “working during the day but failing at night,” severely disrupting normal street light operation.
Currently, mainstream controllers primarily fall into two categories: MPPT and PWM. When procuring, prioritize the superior solution based on the application scenario. MPPT controllers offer higher charging efficiency—15%-20% greater than PWM controllers—and intelligently adjust charging voltage to effectively protect batteries. They are suitable for regions with unstable sunlight or high-power street lights (100W+). PWM controllers, while cheaper and simpler in structure, are only suitable for low-power street lights (under 50W) or budget-constrained scenarios. Refer to the table below for a detailed comparison:
| Controller Type | Core Advantages | Suitable Scenarios |
| MPPT Controller | High charging efficiency (15%–20% higher than PWM); intelligently adjusts charging voltage to protect the battery | Areas with unstable sunlight, high-power street lights
(above 100W) |
| PWM Controller | Low cost and simple structure | Low-power street lights (below 50W)
or budget-limited projects |
Many buyers fall into a common misconception: “The higher the LED power, the brighter the light fixture.” In reality, the core metric affecting brightness is luminous efficiency (measured in lm/W, or lumens per watt). Low-efficiency, high-power fixtures not only fail to meet brightness standards but also consume extra battery power.
A low-quality 100W LED solar street light may have a luminous efficacy of only 80 lm/W, resulting in an actual brightness of just 8000 lm. In contrast, a high-quality 80W LED light can achieve 130 lm/W, delivering an actual brightness of 10400 lm. Comparing the two, the low-efficiency, high-power fixture is actually more “power-hungry” and produces less light. Additionally, high-power, low-efficiency fixtures increase battery load, accelerating energy consumption and further shortening illumination duration, failing to meet nighttime usage requirements.
Step 1: Prioritize checking the product’s luminous efficacy parameters. Select only products labeled with “Luminous Efficacy ≥ 120lm/W.” Firmly exclude “three-no” fixtures (no manufacturer, no product information, no certification) without parameter labeling.
Step 2: If feasible, request on-site brightness testing. For example, use an illuminance meter to measure ground illumination at 10 meters to ensure it meets application requirements. Typically, main roads require ≥20lux, while residential paths need ≥10lux. Verify brightness compliance through actual data.
When procuring solar street lights, avoid common pitfalls like “prioritizing price over specifications” and ” prioritizing main components over accessories.” Conduct a comprehensive evaluation across six core dimensions: battery capacity, solar panel quality, overall configuration, heat dissipation design, controller type, and luminous efficiency. Procurement teams should first clarify specific application requirements before selecting manufacturers with proven credentials and practical case studies. Through scientific assessment and rigorous screening, ensure long-term stable operation while minimizing future maintenance risks and costs.
