Street lights are very popular and widely used around the world. According to the U.S Department of Energy report, there are 45+ million street lights installed in America. The city of Chicago has more than 300,000 lights placed on streets. You will find 2.3 million street lights in Australia.
However, installation of solar street lights requires careful planning. We wrote this article to guide you on the right method of solar street light installation. So, you can get the best results in terms of light performance and durability.
Solar Street Light Installation
1. Pre-Installation Preparation
Before you start the installation, you need to do proper pre-installation preparation. For example: you must check all parts of the solar street light and make sure nothing is missing or damaged. Once you are satisfied with the quality of the street light and condition, you now have to gather all materials and tools. These include:
- Solar street light kit
- Pole and mounting base
- Controller
- Solar panel
- LED lamp fixture
- Rechargeable battery
- Crane for hanging the poles
- Brackets, bolts, nuts, shovel & hardware
- Concrete mix
2. Site Selection and Layout
You need to choose the site where you want to install the solar street light. The right selection of location is important for better street light performance. You should pick a place that receives strong sunlight during the whole day. You have to make sure there are no tall trees or buildings, because these objects can block light.
Always avoid places where underground cables, pipes or other obstacles can create problems. Further, you can also check that the light can cover the target area properly and you have enough space for the foundation and safe pole placement. After that, you plan the layout so each light is placed in the right position for proper coverage and safety.
3. Build Pole Base / Foundation
A weak street light base can cause problems within months, but a strong one can last for years. That is why, stable foundation is very important for safe and long lasting installation. It must be able to handle wind pressure & pole weight. The light pole base design mainly depends on depth and diameter.
Well, foundation depth is based on soil condition and wind load. But diameter is mostly 4 to 6 times the pole base diameter. You need to dig a cylindrical hole with straight sides. Always compact the bottom before you pour concrete. The hole can be deep around 700 mm to 1500 mm.
Now place the anchor bolts inside the hole and cover the threads/nuts with tape, so concrete does not stick to them. After that, you can prepare the concrete mix as per instructions, fill the hole carefully and finish the top with a slight slope for drainage. The base curing generally takes several days, because it depends on the temperature and humidity.
There are two base types like flush and protruding. Flush bases are better in pedestrian areas and protruding bases provide extra support but need a safety buffer around them.
4. Prepare Mounting Arm or Bracket
Next, you can prepare the mounting arm or bracket before you fix the light. You must check that it is strong and not damaged. You need to place the solar panel on the mounting bracket and fix it tightly with bolts. You can use a mounting arm when you want the light to extend outward from the pole.
However, you should use a bracket when you want to fix the light close to the pole or at an angle. You must make sure it is tight and straight, so the light can face the right direction.
5. Mount Solar Panel & Street Light
Now you can install a solar panel and lamp fixture on the pole. You must fix the solar panel at the top, so it can catch maximum sunlight during the day. Also confirm that the panel is securely fixed on the bracket and all bolts are tight.
After that, you can connect the solar panel cable to the battery unit. It’s important to carefully check cable labels and polarity. Next, you can place the light fixture on the lamp arm.
6. Adjust Angle of Light & Solar Panel
You should adjust the angle of the solar panel and the street light carefully. It is best practice to tilt the solar panel, so it can absorb maximum sunlight. For that purpose, you can rotate the sleeve to find the most accurate direction. You need to set the street light angle in a way that it can cover the right area on the road or space.
7. Secure All Screws and Bolts
After you fix the solar panel and street light, now it’s time to secure all screws and bolts. So, you must check each connection and make sure everything is tight and stable. This way, you can keep the pole, bracket, panel and light safe as well as stable. It also prevents any movement or loose parts in case of wind or bad weather.
8. Install Light Pole
You can move forward to the installation of the street light pole once the foundation is set and the concrete base has properly dried for approximately three days. First, you should carefully erect the pole with a crane or suitable lifting equipment. Then position the pole onto the concrete base so that all four anchor bolts align correctly with the holes on the pole’s base plate.
After that, you have to slightly rotate the pole if needed to confirm proper alignment. In such a way, you can also make sure that the light arm is positioned vertically to the target area. Finally, it’s time to secure the pole tightly with nuts or bolts. You can use a wrench to tighten all fasteners. It will keep the pole fixed to the base without any movement.
9. Allow Charging Time
You should allow enough time for the solar panel to charge the battery. In most cases, the system needs a full sunlight cycle of 1 to 3 days before it reaches stable performance. During this period, you do not judge the light brightness, because the battery may not be fully charged yet.
10. Test Your Light
After the solar street light battery is fully charged, you can test the light with simulated nighttime conditions. For example: you can cover the solar panel to block sunlight and check if the light turns on automatically. Plus, you should observe the brightness level, delay time, color effect and overall performance of the system.
11. Check Motion Detection
Motion sensors are small devices that can detect movement. They are used to make street lights operate automatically and save energy. Most solar street lights have a motion sensor, so you should check if it is working properly.
To assess its performance, you can walk or move in front of the light. The light should become brighter or turn on fully when it detects your movement. After you stop walking and don’t move at all for a short time, the light must go back to normal mode.
FAQs
How Many Hours Does a Solar Street Light Last at Night?
Solar street lights can stay functional for 8 to 12 hours at night after a full day of charging in sunlight. However some advanced systems with larger batteries can operate for up to 40 hours. So they keep working during cloudy or rainy days in a row.
What is the Solar Street Light Installation Cost?
The exact street lights installation amount can vary based on permits, site conditions, materials & labor. On average, you need to spend $400 per lamp installation for a 6 meter pole. It also includes crew labor, truck rental and wiring work.
What Should Be the Distance Between Two Street Lights?
The distance between two street lights can range between 20 to 50+ meters (65-160 ft). In residential areas, you can place lights 20 to 30 meters apart. But on highways and main urban roads, you can use large gaps of 40 to 60 meters.
Conclusion
You can complete the solar street light installation in the best way when you follow each step carefully. As a result, you will make street lights durable and of course, it will reduce street light maintenance costs.
Apart from the basic installation process, you also need to make sure you follow all safety checks and local permits before you start work. If you have any inquiries about solar street light installation, JACKWIN’s team is ready to guide you. Contact us now!
Also see
Ultimate Guide: How to Choose Right All-in-One Solar Street Light?
