“I’m worried solar lights won’t work because of shade from surrounding trees”
If you’ve had this concern, you’re not alone. It’s a common and valid concern we hear from customers.
Most commercial grade solar lighting solutions are designed to perform in locations where they’re exposed to direct sunlight all day all year round, with no shade on the solar panel.
However solar lights can be an optimal solution for constant and reliable lighting, even in areas that are slightly shaded from tree canopies.
At Orca Solar Lighting we’ve delivered successful solar lighting projects in slightly shaded areas for councils, building and construction industries, mines and commercial entities.
To trust your solar lights will operate at peak performance in slightly shaded areas there are three factors you want to make sure your solar lighting provider has covered.
1. Your solar lights are designed for the purpose
Your solar lighting provider should carry out a comprehensive lighting design which includes selecting the best solar lights for your project and location, along with a thorough shading assessment of every solar light location.
During a shading assessment, accurate weather data is a key input and any shading from buildings, structures and fences are accounted for.
2. Workarounds for shade have been put in place
There are several workarounds that can be used to deliver successful solar lighting projects in areas with shade. These include:
- Setting each solar light to the correct power model to allow for varying amounts of shade
- Ensuring your solar lighting system’s battery and solar panel is the correct size and provides sufficient battery back-up to provide for slightly shaded applications
- Determining if light poles should be powered by a ‘slave’ pole which has the solar panel and battery located in a shade free location, with a low voltage cable trenched and cabled to the light pole
3. They won't deliver a project that won't work
If a solar lighting solution won’t work for your project, a responsible provider will always let you know and will never supply the job.
It’s important to trust you’re working with a reputable supplier - you can trust your solar lighting supplier has been vetted if they’re a Local Government Procurement (LGP) or Localbuy preferred supplier.
Other markers can include a history of successful work (case studies) and referrals from people and companies you trust. If necessary, go out and inspect the provider’s lights at night.
Best Practices for Installing Solar Bollard Lights in Shaded Areas
- Choose High-Efficiency Solar Panels:
- Opt for bollard lights with high-efficiency solar panels that can capture and convert available sunlight more effectively, even in shaded conditions.
- Use External Solar Panels:
- Consider using solar bollard lights with external solar panels. These panels can be placed in sunnier locations and connected to the lights in shaded areas via wiring.
- Maximize Exposure:
- Position the solar panels to capture the maximum amount of sunlight possible. Tilt and orient them towards the direction that receives the most sunlight during the day.
- Reduce Shade Where Possible:
- Trim nearby trees or bushes that may be causing excessive shading. Removing or pruning these obstructions can increase the amount of sunlight reaching the solar panels.
- Utilize Hybrid Systems:
- Use hybrid solar bollard lights that include a backup power source, such as rechargeable batteries or a connection to the electrical grid. This ensures consistent operation even during prolonged periods of low sunlight.
- Install Higher Capacity Batteries:
- Choose bollard lights with larger or higher capacity batteries to store more energy when sunlight is available, ensuring longer operation during shaded periods.
- Regular Maintenance:
- Clean the solar panels regularly to remove dust, debris, or any other substances that can block sunlight and reduce efficiency.
- Strategic Placement:
- Place the bollard lights in areas that receive the most sunlight possible within the shaded location. For example, areas that receive dappled light throughout the day are better than those in complete shade.
- Monitor Performance:
- Regularly check the performance of the solar bollard lights to ensure they are charging properly and providing adequate illumination. Adjustments to placement or angle might be necessary based on observations.
- Use Reflective Surfaces:
- Consider using reflective surfaces or materials nearby to help direct additional light onto the solar panels, thereby increasing the amount of captured sunlight.
- Consider Seasonal Adjustments:
- Be mindful of seasonal changes that affect sunlight patterns. Adjust the positioning or angle of the solar panels as needed to optimize sunlight capture throughout the year.
By following these best practices, you can improve the performance and reliability of solar bollard lights even in shaded areas, ensuring they provide consistent and effective illumination.
