An all-in-one solar street light is an outdoor LED solar light fixture that contains all key components in one waterproof, easy-to-install component: LED lamp beads, solar panel, battery, and power management system.

This design makes the entire solar street light very compact, reducing the complexity of installation and maintenance without the need for external power cords.

Working principle:

The solar panels of All-in-one solar street lights are usually integrated with the street light body. It uses solar photovoltaic panels to receive solar radiation during the day and convert it into electrical energy, which is stored in the battery through the controller. Split-type solar street lights differ from integrated ones in that the solar panels are usually set separately on or near the top of the street light.

Application:

• The geographical location of the project

Where exactly is the project located? Get as accurate a street address and location as possible. Manufacturers can incorporate local solar radiation data into their system design when designing solar lighting solutions.

Different areas of our country receive different amounts of sunlight every day. For example, there is a very big difference between the north and the south in winter. For specific radiation, please refer to the solar radiation coefficient table of each place.

Additionally, if it’s a street, evaluate potential shadow hazards such as trees, buildings, or other obstructions that may obscure solar panels.

• The application environment of the project

What kind of area do you want to light up? Different street and road base types will have different lighting output requirements.

Different applications may have an impact on pole height, pole spacing and light level requirements.

For example, solar street lights installed on pedestrian streets may require higher brightness than on pathways or parks.

Here are some possible applications:

Pedestrian street; residential area; park; parking lot; highway building; entrance…

• The project area size

What is the length of the street or the size of the general area?

The size or length of the area will affect the number of solar street lights required and the uniformity of the light hitting the ground. These factors will affect the cost of the entire project.

Here are some ranges you may encounter:

2000 square meters of playground; 1000 meters of street; 150 meters x 300 meters of parking lot…

• The required light-level

Does the project have national or municipal light-level standards? What light levels do the floors need to meet? If so, what are the consistency requirements?

Different applications require different light levels, which is crucial in the overall project cost. For details, please refer to the requirements of my country’s “Road Lighting Design Standards”.

• The approximate operational requirements

How long should the lights be on each night? Do they need to stay on all night or only during specific times to meet brightness requirements? If you’re unsure, an experienced manufacturer can provide sensible recommendations.

At the specific operational level, manufacturers will make different power management “adjustments” to their solar street light systems based on customer requirements.

Color temperature:

What color of light or higher temperature is required?

Color temperature affects the power output of lamps and affects project costs. While color temperature may be more of a preference than a requirement, urban lighting favors lights with higher color temperatures that are better for our health and the environment.

Common color temperature:

Solar Panel:

Solar panels mainly function to convert the energy from sunlight into electricity or store it in batteries.

Common solar panels:

Monocrystalline silicon solar panels and polycrystalline silicon solar panels. These two materials have different advantages and application scenarios when used in solar panels.

Determining factors:

• Cost considerations:

Polycrystalline silicon solar panels are typically cheaper than monocrystalline silicon solar panels. In situations with limited budgets, choosing polycrystalline silicon solar panels can help reduce project costs.

• Performance requirements:

Monocrystalline silicon solar panels have higher conversion efficiency and stability. They are suitable for projects in areas with poor lighting conditions or higher performance requirements.

• Space limitations:

Monocrystalline silicon solar panels can generate more electricity within the same area compared to polycrystalline silicon solar panels. Therefore, in situations with limited space, such as smaller-sized solar street lights or the need for higher power output, monocrystalline silicon solar panels may be more suitable.

Battery:

Currently, the commonly used LiFePo4  batteries have several advantages compared to other batteries:

• High Safety:

LiFePo4  batteries have a stable crystal structure with strong P-O bonds, making them resistant to decomposition and safer compared to cobalt lithium batteries. They are less prone to malfunction due to overcharging or overheating, especially when equipped with additional safety protection devices.

• Extended Lifespan:

During discharge, LiFePo4  batteries maintain a stable voltage until reaching the termination voltage, exhibiting excellent discharge characteristics. They can typically endure over 2000 charge-discharge cycles, lasting 7 to 8 years, compared to lead-acid batteries which typically last only around 300 to 500 cycles, losing their properties within a short period.

• Stable Capacity:

LiFePo4  batteries can be stored in a fully charged state without significant capacity loss. Even if discharged to zero voltage, they won’t leak or get damaged, and their capacity remains relatively stable. After a few charge-discharge cycles, the capacity can be restored to its original level, a characteristic not shared by other lithium-ion batteries.

• Lightweight:

LiFePo4  batteries are lighter than lead-acid batteries, occupying only about 60% to 70% of the volume and 30% to 40% of the weight under the same conditions. This not only saves space but also indicates that LiFePo4 batteries offer higher capacity under similar conditions.

• Environmental protection

The disposal of batteries poses environmental challenges, especially for lead-acid batteries containing large amounts of heavy metals like lead, which can pollute the environment if not handled properly. In contrast, LiFePo4 batteries do not contain harmful substances and are more stable in performance, posing minimal environmental risks during both usage and disposal.

Controller

The main role of the charge-discharge controller is to control the solar street lights to turn on and off while protecting the battery, thus extending its lifespan.

• PWM Solar Controller:

Second-generation technology, currently the most prevalent in the market, operates using the PWM control method.

(Pulse Width Modulation is an analog control method, modulating the bias of the transistor base or MOS tube gate according to the change of corresponding load to alter the conduction time of the transistor or MOS tube, thus changing the output of the switch stabilizing power supply.

This method keeps the output voltage of the power supply constant when working conditions change, utilizing digital signals from microprocessors to control analog circuits, a highly effective technology widely applied in numerous fields from measurement, and communication to power control and transformation.)

Compared to ordinary solar controllers, it has made significant progress, capable of addressing undercharging issues with a charging conversion efficiency of 75 to 80%.

• MPPT Solar Controller:

Third-generation technology, the top-tier solar controller.

An MPPT solar controller refers to a solar controller with “Maximum Power Point Tracking” (MPPT) functionality, an upgraded product from PWM solar controllers.

It can detect the voltage and current of solar panels in real-time, continuously tracking the maximum power (P=U*I), ensuring the system charges the battery with maximum power at all times.

The MPPT tracking efficiency reaches 99%, the entire system’s generation efficiency goes up to 97%, and it boasts excellent battery management. It is now the most widely applied control method.

Material:

All-in-one solar lights usually contain a variety of materials, and the selection of these materials plays an important role in the performance, durability, and appearance of solar street lights.

Common materials:

• ABS plastic：

ABS plastic material is relatively lightweight but has a mediocre hand feeling. This material is prone to aging and embrittlement, leading to shell peeling or breakage, with low stability, safety, and durability.

• Iron:

The main advantage of using iron material for solar street lights lies in its sturdy structure and relatively low manufacturing cost, providing a reliable strength and economical choice.

• Die-cast aluminum：

Die-cast aluminum is a process of manufacturing by injecting liquid aluminum alloy metal into molds for pressure shaping.

It has high precision in shaping, resulting in a denser structure, hence offering superior strength and durability to withstand harsh outdoor conditions. It also exhibits excellent thermal conductivity, aiding effective heat dissipation, thus enhancing the performance and lifespan of the street lights.

This material offers great flexibility in shaping, allowing for the realization of complex structures and shapes according to design requirements. With its relatively lightweight design, die-cast aluminum facilitates easier installation and transportation.

• Sheet Metal

Sheet metal is a metal product made by cutting, bending, and assembling processes on metal plates.

The housing of solar lights usually needs to be strong, durable, and have certain waterproof properties. Sheet metal can easily achieve these properties while allowing a variety of shapes and structures to be designed. Its production process is relatively simple and the cost is low, but it usually has strong corrosion resistance and adaptability.

• Iron + aluminum profile：

The use of iron and aluminum profile materials to construct the shell of solar street lights is aimed at fully utilizing the advantages of both metals, combining their respective characteristics to provide a more durable, stable, and lightweight shell.

Achieving a balance in corrosion resistance, lightweight strength, thermal conductivity, and workability, it offers comprehensive performance suitable for various outdoor environments and climatic conditions.

Different lamp designs, manufacturer preferences, and environmental requirements determine the choice of materials for various luminaires. Taking all these factors into account, manufacturers then choose suitable materials based on a balance between performance and cost.

Advantages of All-in-one Solar Lights

Solar energy is an inexhaustible, sustainable, and clean green energy source. It possesses high cleanliness and safety, along with advantages such as relative abundance, and longevity, which are not present in other conventional energy sources. Photovoltaic energy is considered the most significant new energy source of the 21st century.

• Better Waterproof Performance:

The integrated design is more compact and structurally stronger, effectively preventing rainwater infiltration and improving the waterproof performance of the street lights.

• Convenient Installation:

You don’t need to worry about AC power supply or complex wiring connections. All the wires of integrated lamps are pre-connected, eliminating the need for customers to wire, which greatly facilitates installation. Simply fix the light in the desired position to complete the installation.

• Easy Maintenance:

All components are integrated into one solar street light, making maintenance simple. It only requires checking and maintaining the overall structure, saving maintenance costs and time without the need to check and maintain each component individually.

• Convenient Transportation, Cost-saving:

All components are concentrated in one box, reducing the volume of transportation and saving transportation costs.

All-in-one solar street lights not only possess the characteristics of high efficiency, energy conservation, and environmental cleanliness but also highlight their advantages of simple overall structure, convenient installation, and easy maintenance. We look forward to All-in-one solar street lights playing a more significant role in future urban lighting, injecting more freshness and vitality into our living environment.