With the advantages of energy saving, environmental protection and convenient installation, solar street lights are widely used in urban roads, villages, scenic spots and other places. In the whole installation process, the determination of the installation height is the most important thing, which is not only related to the lighting effect, but also has a decisive impact on the efficiency of energy utilization, the coordination of the surrounding environment and the use of security. Below, we will determine how to determine the installation height of solar street lights to start an in-depth discussion.
solar led street light
The installation height is closely related to the light coverage. As a general rule, the higher the solar street light is installed, the wider the light coverage will be. However, it is important to understand that height and light intensity are not simply proportional, and the key is to find a balance between light intensity and coverage.
If the solar street light is installed too low, the light will be like a flashlight beam, over-concentrated in a small area, resulting in insufficient light in other places around. On the contrary, if the installation is too high, the light will be dispersed excessively like splashing water, and will not be able to provide sufficient illumination for the target area. For example, in a large square, if the street light is installed too low, only a small area below the street light may be bright, the rest of the square is a dark, seriously affecting people’s activities; while the installation is too high, the square seems to be illuminated, the actual light is dim, the quality of lighting is difficult to guarantee.
Installation height has a significant impact on light distribution. Different places have different lighting requirements, and need to choose the appropriate installation height according to the actual. Like parking lots, highways and other areas that require high brightness and uniformity of light, it is more appropriate to install solar street lights at a height of 10 to 12 meters. At this height, the light can be evenly sprinkled over the entire area, providing pedestrians and drivers with a clear vision and ensuring travel safety. Take the highway as an example, even lighting can let drivers see the road signs, road conditions, and the surrounding vehicles and pedestrians, reducing the incidence of traffic accidents.
In residential gardens, sidewalks and other places, people need more localized centralized lighting, lower installation height to better meet the demand. For example, in residential gardens, installing street lights in lower positions can create a warm and cozy atmosphere, illuminate paths and flower beds, bring convenience to residents and add interest to life.
solar led street light
Different scenes have different requirements for lighting intensity and coverage, and installation height plays a key role in realizing these requirements.On main roads and highways, high traffic volume and fast speed make the street light lighting requirements extremely high. Installing solar streetlights at a height of 10 to 12 meters provides broad and even illumination, reduces road shadows, and enhances road safety. For example, after installing a 12-meter high solar street light on a main road in a city, the incidence of traffic accidents at night has been significantly reduced, thus ensuring the safety of the public on the road.
In small roads and parking lots, where there is no need for large-area intense lighting, a lower installation height of 6 to 8 meters can meet the demand. This height focuses light on specific areas, providing targeted illumination for pedestrians and vehicles and improving visibility. For small parking lots, for example, a 6- to 8-meter high streetlight can illuminate parking spaces and walkways while avoiding wasted light and light pollution.
For homes and gardens, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere is the primary goal. Installing solar streetlights at a height of 3 to 4 meters illuminates sidewalks, gardens and driveways without making the space seem blinding. On quiet evenings, the soft light illuminates the courtyard and creates a pleasant environment for residents to relax in.
solar led street light
The type of solar street light and beam angle will also affect the ideal installation height. Wide-beam angle lamps are suitable for installation at higher heights of 10 to 12 meters. These lamps can cover a larger area without loss of light intensity. In large plazas or industrial parks, for example, wide beam angle lamps can be used and mounted high up to provide even illumination over a large area. Narrow beam angle lamps are suitable for installation in the lower position of 6 to 8 meters, can focus the light on a specific area to meet the needs of local lighting. For example, in sculptures, monuments and other places, the use of narrow-beam angle lamps installed at a lower height can highlight the characteristics of the illuminated object, creating a unique visual effect.
Weather and environmental factors, such as wind, rainfall, snowfall and temperature, also have an impact on installation height. In windy or harsh weather conditions, more robust poles are required. In areas with strong sunlight, solar street lights absorb more sunlight by optimizing the mounting height.
In areas with heavy snowfall or strong winds, the poles need to be higher and stronger to avoid damage to the streetlights and to ensure that the solar panels can receive sunlight properly. For example, in some areas in the north, there is a lot of snowfall in the winter, installing the street light higher can reduce the blockage of the solar panels by snow, and the stronger pole can withstand strong winds to ensure the normal operation of the street light.
When installing solar streetlights, aesthetic and safety considerations must be taken into account. Streetlights installed too low can be damaged by vehicles, pedestrians, or outdoor maintenance activities; too high can create excessive light spillage or glare that can disturb the surrounding area. Therefore, it is important to find a balance between function and form.
For example, in historical and cultural neighborhoods, the design and installation height of streetlights should be coordinated with the surrounding architectural style and environment, so as not to damage the overall aesthetics, but also to meet the lighting needs. Reasonable installation height can also avoid street lights on pedestrians and vehicles cause safety hazards, to protect the safety of public areas.
solar led street light
Installation height affects the ability of a solar street light to collect sunlight. In areas with obstructions such as buildings or trees, a higher mounting position will typically receive more sunlight. In urban environments, solar streetlights mounted at a height of 6 to 10 meters are typically 15% to 25% more efficient at harvesting energy than streetlights mounted at lower heights.
However, mounting higher than 12 meters makes maintenance more difficult and may reduce energy harvesting efficiency if dust or debris accumulates on the panels. In snowy or dusty areas, increasing the mounting height appropriately can reduce the amount of particulate matter reflected from the ground on the panels. For example, in industrial cities where there is more dust in the air, installing solar street lights at a higher location can effectively reduce the impact of dust on the panels and improve energy collection efficiency.
As installation height increases, the impact of wind is greater and structural integrity becomes more important. Wind pressure increases exponentially with height, and a solar streetlight mounted at a height of 10 meters is subjected to wind loads that are approximately 40% higher than a streetlight mounted at a height of 6 meters.
As a result, streetlights in higher locations require stronger foundations, thicker poles and specialized mounting brackets. In coastal or windy areas, solar streetlights often require additional reinforcement, such as a tapered pole design. Manufacturers often provide wind load ratings that specify the maximum recommended installation height based on local wind conditions to ensure long-term streetlight reliability. In a coastal city, for example, when installing solar streetlights, stronger wind-resistant streetlights with specialized reinforcement designs were selected based on local wind conditions, effectively resisting typhoon attacks and guaranteeing the normal use of streetlights.
The mounting height affects the operating temperature of the solar street light, which in turn affects the performance of the photovoltaic system and the battery. Higher mounting locations typically have better air circulation, which helps dissipate heat in hot weather. In tropical climates, the average temperature of a solar streetlight mounted at a height of 7 to 9 meters is 3°C to 5°C lower than a streetlight mounted at a height of 3 to 4 meters.
This difference in temperature has a significant impact on battery life, with lithium batteries typically having a 20% lower capacity when operating at 45°C compared to 25°C. With better heat dissipation at higher locations, battery life can be extended by 1 to 2 years. In extremely cold climates, streetlights in higher locations may experience more drastic temperature drops, requiring the use of special battery chemistries. For example, in cold regions, the use of cold-resistant battery materials ensures that the streetlight will still function properly in low temperatures, extending battery life.
solar led street light
According to the size of the lighting area and lighting requirements, choose the right height of the pole. At the same time, make sure the pole is strong enough to withstand the weight of the streetlight and withstand various environmental conditions. When choosing a light pole, consider factors such as the material, strength and anti-corrosion properties of the pole to ensure its long-term stable operation.
The installation angle of streetlights can affect the lighting effect. It is important to ensure that the street light is installed at an angle that provides maximum lighting coverage and minimizes dark areas. During the installation process, the street light light irradiation angle can be optimized through precise measurement and adjustment to improve the lighting efficiency.
Install solar panels at a height and angle that will receive the most sunlight during the day. Avoid installing the street light in a shaded area, which may affect the charging efficiency of the panels. When choosing the installation location, give full consideration to the shading of the surrounding environment to ensure that the solar panels can receive the maximum amount of sunlight.
Selecting the appropriate solar street light installation height requires comprehensive consideration of lighting requirements, lamp type, environmental conditions and battery panel performance and other factors. By reasonably selecting the installation height, it can not only improve the lighting effect and energy efficiency of solar street lights, but also ensure its safety and aesthetics. We hope that the information in this article can help you make informed decisions when installing solar street lights. In the future, with the continuous development and innovation of solar energy technology, the installation and application of solar street lights will be more scientific and reasonable, bringing more convenience and beauty to people’s life!
