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Solar Street Lighting Is Better Than Electrical Street Lighting

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2021-05-13 10:47:13

Solar Street Lighting Is Better Than Electrical Street Lighting
 

The blessed street light has worked wonders in ensuring the safety and convenience of night-time traveling. There’s no denying that people have some security from accidents or getting lost, thanks to the presence of this guiding light. So, we may as well consider the impact of modern technology on the various systems responsible for making street lights work. To start with, it might appear that there’s not much of a difference between a standard electrical light and a solar-powered one as they both perform the same function; that of providing light.

Today, the ever-increasing strategies that are becoming available to save and consume energy more efficiently are prompting manufacturers to explore worthwhile options; inclusive of street lighting systems. Let’s have a closer look at why solar LED street lights are, definitely, the better option when we start comparing them with electrical street lights.

Extremely eco-friendly

This is the first and foremost benefit to be taken into account. Normal electrical lights utilize grid power produced from non-renewable energy sources. The power emits carbon dioxide that adversely affects the environment and the energy sources are never restored. Moreover, metal halide or high-pressure sodium lamps are the light sources being considered here; they contain mercury which is poisonous for the environment. Electric lamps have a lifespan ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 hours which will require replacement at regular intervals.

Solar-powered street lights, in contrast, acquire their power from a well-known renewable energy source: the sun. They may be looked upon as yielding the same kind of lighting as any standard electrical light, but the energy here is received and stored in a battery to be used during the night. Solar lights do not give off harmful carbon dioxide and the energy consumed at night is restored on a daily basis. Most importantly, many solar street light systems are making use of LED fixtures that are mercury-free and last longer than any conventional lamp bought on the market.

Most work independently of the utility grid

Solar street lights are basically of two kinds: grid-tied or off-grid. In the latter case, the solar light does not depend upon the electric grid for power; it has its own PV panels to generate power for lighting purposes. For grid-tied solar lights, they absorb solar power which is fed to the grid at daytime and then this same power is utilized during night-time.

Better visibility

The color rendering index or CRI of both metal halide and high-pressure sodium lamps is rather low and does not offer satisfactory lighting; needed by our eyes to discern colors. The light is of a yellowish color; hindering proper vision. The CRI of metal halide lamps is 60; that of high-pressure sodium lamps is 25. The sun provides perfect visibility during the day owing to its having a CRI of 100.

Street lights, aided by LED fixtures and solar power, possess a standard CRI of 66 but LED’s have the added feature of possessing coloring suitable for almost any CRI. Therefore, night visibility is considerably enhanced through the use of a high-powered solar road lamp. The LEDs can be directed to any specific point on the ground due to the availability of multiple distribution patterns. This prevents light from spreading, unnecessarily, into surrounding areas and is more efficiently directed to where it is required.

Lower cost

Although a standard electrical street light’s initial purchase cost is a lot less than that of a solar-powered street light, the total underlying costs to be incurred over time makes them a lot more expensive to use. The equipment that comes with a typical high-pressure sodium street light may have a comparatively lower purchase cost but the installation, as well as electrical running costs, can add up to a significant amount. Include the first month’s electricity bill and you end up with an even higher rate!
Solar street lights have variable costs depending on the area of installation and the requirements of the system. Higher powered LED fixtures in developed areas cost more than standard LED fixtures in other areas. Nonetheless, the long-term savings of electrical costs together with lower installation costs are certainly worth considering; particularly since the power is entirely free!

Lower cost

Solar-based street lights make use of advanced LED fixtures that use power more efficiently and require less maintenance. In addition, they are portable and can easily be transported to places that are in urgent need of efficient lighting. Furthermore, some solar street lights are manufactured so as to be completely independent of the power grid; they can operate effectively without any immediate connection to the grid. This can be highly beneficial for those areas that are off-grid.

It can clearly be concluded from all this that solar-powered lights are ideal for improving the environment, enhancing visibility, and the reduction of installation as well as electrical costs.

Solar Light Magazine / Solar Street Lights / Author: Cmoonlight

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