Solar Lighting Bollards – Your Common Questions Answered

What are solar lighting bollards?

Solar lighting bollards lights are shorter light poles (approx. one-meter high) that have solar lights on them and are very popular for lighting pathways. Being stand-alone (not connected to the electricity network), significant savings in installation costs can be created. They use solar panels and batteries to run, and automatically turn on at dusk and off at dawn.

How popular are solar bollard lights?

They are becoming very popular, especially for council pathways, retirement villages, townhouse developments, resorts and worker accommodation camps. They are well suited to anywhere that is relatively shade free and when it is expensive or logistically difficult to connect to the grid. There is a low power model that requires no direct sunlight, as long as the area is not too dark so they receive UV from indirect sunlight.

How do solar bollards work?

In the daytime, the solar panel creates power from the sun, this power is stored in the battery. The lighting controller (the brains of the system) detects dusk and automatically turns the light on, conversely detecting dawn, turning the light off.

How long do the batteries last?

A well-built solar lighting bollard should provide a minimum of four full nights battery back-up (allowing for the longest winter nights) running the light at 100% illumination. A good quality battery should last between 5 and 10 years if the system sizing is correct.

What area coverage aspects are there with solar lighting bollards?

Solar bollards can achieve AS/NZS 1158 3.1 Pedestrian (P) pathway and bikeways, being able to be spaced up to 10 meters apart along say a 2m wide path.

What are the components of solar bollard lights?

Solar panel LEDs, battery, lighting controller, pole and perhaps a small footing.

What are the advantages of solar lighting bollards over traditional lighting bollards?

They can save significant money (lower upfront costs) if it is expensive to trench and cable to site. Renewable energy power source = no ongoing power.

What are the disadvantages?

Tend to be more cost up front than main powered lights if there is power already at site (therefore minimal trenching and cabling required). The solar panels work best with direct sunlight on the solar panel, therefore locations exposed to a lot of shade may be problematic. There are low power model solar lighting bollards that do operate in the shade.

What are the maintenance requirements of solar bollard lights?

Minimal. The solar panel should be kept clean and ensure plants are not blocking the sunlight over time.

What weather resistance do solar lighting bollards have?

Extremely high, and some are completely submersible for flood prone areas. They have sufficient battery back-up to provide reliable all-night light for the particular weather for that location.

How much do they cost?

Quality Australian made solar bollards are around the AUD$700 to $950 mark. Bollards manufactured overseas typically cost around $300.

What is the difference?

The Australian made bollards come with a 10 year warranty and four + full nights battery back-up, marine grade aluminium poles and aircraft windscreen grade polycarbonate , the bollards manufactured overseas have a limited warranty and between one and two nights battery back-up. (All options allowing for the longest winter nights and at 100% output -no dimming).

Read more about Orca Solar Lighting’s solar lighting bollards