How do solar lights work?

Solar-powered lighting collects energy from the sun during the day, storing it in rechargeable batteries. An intelligent controller manages the energy flow, activating LED lights at night using stored energy.

What does the term renewable energy mean?

Renewable energy is derived from naturally replenished sources like sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat. Solar lights utilize 100% renewable energy.

What are the advantages of outdoor solar lighting?

• Independence from the utility grid, reducing operation and installation costs.
• Low maintenance compared to conventional lights.
• Elimination of external wires, minimizing accident risks.
• Non-polluting electricity production.
• Potential energy cost savings.
• Ease of transportation due to separate parts.

Can I use my solar lights in the winter?

Yes, solar lights can operate in winter, albeit with potentially shorter run times due to reduced daylight hours. Most in-built LiFePo4 solar light batteries’ operation temperature is from -10℃ to 60℃. Ultra-low temperature batteries can also be customized in severe cold areas.

How long do solar lights operate?

Solar lights typically operate for 10-12 hours per night, with commercial fixtures customizable for longer run times.

How does a solar street light work?

During the day, solar panels absorb sunlight, converting it into electrical energy stored in batteries. At dusk, a dusk sensor prompts the streetlight to turn on, using stored energy.

How long can solar street lights operate without sunlight?

Photovoltaic panels can still work even on rainy days, absorbing the sun’s energy lower in the sky. All Gcots’ solar lights can operate for 36 hours. We support customization for 4 to 5 consecutive days without sunlight.

How do I know the quality of solar lights?

Quality indicators include the recharging and electrical storage capacity of solar panels and batteries, as well as the light head quality.

How do I control the on/off of solar lights?

Solar lights can automatically turn on at dusk and off at dawn or be controlled manually via remote control. If your solar lights have an on and off switch, you can press the button to control them, as well.

Can solar lights be charged without sunlight?

No, solar lights require sunlight to charge. When the ambient illumination is lower than the value set by the controller for a certain time, the solar lamp will enter the discharge state. Only when the light brightness increases will it enter the charging state again. However, higher-efficiency photovoltaic panels and larger battery capacities can help mitigate issues during cloudy or rainy days.

Are brighter solar lights better?

Not necessarily. Brighter lights may result in shorter operating times, as total stored electricity remains constant. Balancing brightness with lasting time is crucial.

Solar lamps use LED chips. Parameters related to lighting brightness include luminous flux, power, and luminous efficacy. Different from traditional incandescent lamps that judge brightness by power, the more accurate description of LED brightness is luminous flux. The higher the luminous flux, the higher the brightness. The higher the luminous flux, the better the quality of the solar light product with lower power, which means lower energy consumption can emit brighter light.

What factors affect solar lights’ brightness?

Solar Panel Efficiency: The efficiency of the solar panel directly affects the amount of sunlight captured and converted into electricity. Higher efficiency results in brighter lighting as more energy is available for illumination.

Battery Capacity: The battery’s capacity determines the amount of stored energy available for powering the light during nighttime. Larger-capacity batteries can store more energy, leading to brighter and longer-lasting illumination.

LED Quality: The quality of the LEDs used in solar lights significantly impacts brightness and efficiency. High-quality LEDs produce brighter light with less energy consumption, ensuring optimal illumination.

Angle of Emission: The design and alignment of lenses play a crucial role in distributing light effectively. Properly aligned lenses can focus light more efficiently, maximizing brightness and ensuring even illumination.

Installation Location: The location chosen for installing solar lights directly affects their exposure to sunlight and potential obstructions. Optimizing the installation location for maximum sunlight exposure and minimal obstacles enhances brightness and overall performance.

How long is the charging time of a solar light?

Charging time varies based on region and season but typically requires about 10 hours of sunlight per day for 3 or more days of battery backup.

Why might solar lights LED flash or malfunction?

Issues like LED chip failure, PCB problems, or poor wire connections can cause malfunctions. Contacting the supplier for repairs or replacements is recommended.

Why might water get inside solar lights?

Insufficient waterproofing due to a low IP rating may result in water intrusion. The minimum requirement for outdoor solar lights is IP65, which “prevents water jets from flowing into the lamp from any angle.”

Why color-changing LED lights can change colors?

Color-changing LED lights can change colors because they are equipped with multiple light-emitting diodes (LEDs), each capable of emitting light of a different color. These LEDs are typically red, green, and blue (RGB), and by varying the intensity of each LED, a wide range of colors can be produced. The color change is controlled by an electronic circuit or controller that adjusts the brightness levels of the individual LEDs to create the desired color output. By mixing different combinations of red, green, and blue light, color-changing LED lights can produce millions of color variations, allowing for dynamic and customizable lighting effects.

Why might color-changing solar lights fail to change colors?

Issues with the remote controller or LED chips may cause failures.

Why might solar lights be out of control?

If your solar lights are not working, please check the following 5 steps:

• Is the switch on? If the switch is off, the solar light can not charge or discharge.
• Cover the panel and test the light. Generally speaking, solar lights do not work during the day. In order to test that the light is working properly, you need to cover the solar panel to simulate darkness completely.
• Check the battery power, and clean the photovoltaic panels regularly to prevent low charging efficiency.
• Make sure the solar panels are positioned correctly. The panel should be placed in a location that receives sunlight all day (or at least most of the time), otherwise, it may not receive enough power.
• If possible, test with regular batteries. In most cases when solar lights don’t work, it’s the battery that is failing. They either received no fees or no holding fees. If the light is working on regular batteries, then it’s obvious that the problem is with the rechargeable battery or the solar panel.

How do I maintain outdoor solar lighting?

For optimal performance, photovoltaic panels need to be regularly cleaned of dust. Additionally, storing lights indoors during adverse weather conditions helps maintain efficiency.

How often should I replace solar light batteries?

Battery lifespans vary but typically last 3 to 5 years. Battery lifespans vary, with good solar light batteries typically lasting 3 to 5 years. Low-priced solar light batteries usually use 3.2V second-hand battery cells with a service life of 1-3 years.

How often do I clean solar panels, if required?

Solar panels are low maintenance but may require cleaning every 3-5 months, especially in dusty areas.

Is the solar light with higher brightness better?

Not necessarily, as brightness is inversely proportional to lasting time. Consider both brightness and lasting time when selecting solar lights.

What’s the sunshine peak time?

Sunshine peak time refers to the hour with the strongest sunlight, essential for optimal solar panel performance.

How do I install solar lights?

Installation involves mounting the light on a pole, ensuring the solar panel receives direct sunlight, and complying with any local regulations.

What should be considered before installing solar street lights?

Factors to consider include sunlight exposure, obstacle avoidance, initial lamp charging, and placement away from artificial lights.

How do I maintain solar street lights?

Solar street lights are virtually maintenance-free, with remote monitoring platforms.