Assessing the Viability of Solar Street Lighting

Assessing the Viability of Solar Street Lighting: Considerations for Government, Municipal, Industrial, and Construction Projects

Solar street lighting has established itself as an extremely credible lighting solution, and in many situations, providing significant cost advantages compared to mains powered lighting. This is being demonstrated time and again as more solar street lights are deployed for government, council, industrial resource, and construction projects across Australia.

What are Solar Lighting Systems made up of?

Solar lighting systems comprise the solar panel (photovoltaic = PV), that captures the UV (from sunlight), to create electricity, and then stores it in the battery. The ‘brains’ of the system is the solar controller, that initiates the light to turn on at dusk, and turn off at dawn, with options for variations of power throughout the night, or the use of sensors for dimming and boosting, if adaptive lighting is preferred.

To comply with Australian and New Zealand standards (AS/NZS 4509 and AS/NZS 3000) any stand-alone power system with a battery capacity that exceeds 76AH 12v, requires clearly marked circuit breakers.  Solar lights can be permanent (typically using cage/pier footings), and temporary utilising a relocatable concrete block or trailer system. These arrangements are popular on road work projects, as the project progresses, the lights can be easily moved.

What do Government, Councils, Industrial and Construction Projects need to consider?

When assessing whether solar street lights should be deployed instead of mains power fed street lights, the following points should be considered. Please note, we are defining solar street lights as completely stand alone solar lights with their own solar panel and energy storage (battery). Therefore, they are entirely free from the electrical grid and do not require trenching or cabling. Every project and location is unique, so these considerations should be looked at on a case by case basis.

  • How much shade is at the location of the light poles? If heavy shading is across much of the site, solar lighting may not be an option. However, if there is only part day shading or heavy shading on one or two  of many light poles, solar may still be a very effective solution. With partial shading, solar lighting can work if the correct de-rates are applied. Power in = power out, so the light in the partially shaded area may need to be run at a lower wattage to ensure the constant and reliable all night light. Light poles in heavy shade can have a ‘slave pole’ running them - this is a pole with the solar panel in a shade free location, with an extra low voltage cable running to the shaded light pole.
  • A cost comparison needs to be conducted. This must compare the hardware, electrical design, trenching, and cabling, plus ongoing power costs for AC-powered lights.  Meanwhile, the solar lighting cost should factor in the hardware, installation, and a battery replacement every 5 to 10 years, depending on the battery type.the solar lights need to factor in the hardware cost, installation and a battery change every 5 to 10 years depending on the battery type.  For lighting projects where there is a long distance from existing mains power to the site, and/or the trenching and cabling costs are high (due to extensive distances, rocky ground that is prohibitively expensive to trench, or foreshore lighting where water can disrupt underground infrastructure), solar lighting can provide a significantly lower upfront and total life-cycle cost.
  • Project delivery times. Solar lighting projects can often be designed, supplied and installed faster than 240v AC lighting due to their completely stand-alone and easy to assemble nature.  Since no electrical design, grid connection point, trenching, or cabling works are required, solar greatly reduces project delivery times.

Why are Solar Lighting Solutions Beneficial for Australian Councils?

Australian Councils stand to gain significantly from the adoption of solar street lighting systems, which can replace or supplement traditional grid-powered lighting. Some key benefits for Councils include:

• No ongoing electricity costs:

Since solar lighting generates power from sunlight, Councils avoid the regular expense of electricity bills

• Ease of installation:

Because solar lighting is stand alone, there is no need for disruptive trenching or cabling work. This not only speeds up installation but also reduces labor expenses.

• Minimal impact on existing infrastructure:

Installing solar lighting solutions does not interfere with underground services or require extensive digging, preserving valuable infrastructure assets and preventing additional repair costs.

• High reliability and independence from the grid:

Solar street lights continue to operate even when the grid is down, providing a consistent and secure lighting source for roads, infrastructure projects, parks, and other public spaces. This reliability is especially important for public safety and resilience during power outages.

• Sustainability benefits:

By harnessing renewable energy, Councils can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and demonstrate leadership in adopting environmental initiatives, aligning with targets for reduced emissions and a greener future.

• Low maintenance requirements:

Solar lighting systems need minimal upkeep once installed. An annual solar panel clean is all that's required along with a battery replacement every 10 years.

• Custom engineering for each location:

Every Council project is provided with a customised solar lighting solution tailored to meet specific lighting requirements, site conditions, Australian and New Zealand safety and lighting standards. This customisation ensures optimal performance no matter the application — from pathways and bikeways to roads, streets, jetties, marinas, parks, and reserves.

In short, Councils can benefit from cost savings, efficient project rollouts, and an environmentally friendly lighting alternative that helps fulfill sustainability goals.

Conclusion

Solar street lighting systems have proven to be a reliable and cost-effective alternative to mains-powered lighting for a wide range of applications. Before deciding on solar lighting, it's essential  to assess the location's shading, conduct a thorough cost comparison, and consider the overall timeline for delivery. When done properly, governments,  industrial, and construction projects — and especially Australian Councils — can reap the rewards of an efficient, dependable, and sustainable lighting solution. As demand grows for sustainable and energy efficient options, solar street lighting continues to rise in popularity, contributing to a cleaner and more resilient future.