Solar-powered street lamps: types, overview and comparison of manufacturers

Benefits of Solar Garden Lights

• autonomy - each lamp can be installed anywhere in the garden;
• environmental friendliness;
• efficiency - do not consume electricity;
• ease of installation;
• reliability - the batteries are protected from dirt, moisture and dust getting inside, so they can be installed near the reservoir and in the far parts of the garden;
• a variety of shapes and styles of performance allows you to use garden lights as a decoration of the site;
• no need to purchase additional equipment or components;
• long service life.

Disadvantages of garden solar lights:

• it is required to clean for the winter, becausethey do not protect the battery from low temperatures (the exception is garden lights);
• during charging, it is advisable to install the lamp in such a way that direct sunlight falls on it;
• more suitable for decorative lighting;
• lamps are quite expensive.

Best Solar Lawn Lights

Models included in this group are placed on the surface of garden paths, flower beds and other areas of the site, the lower part has a sharp end for convenience. Installation does not require special skills and complex fixtures.

Globo Lighting Solar 33271

Austrian manufacturers offer a lamp made in the form of a street lamp, which was found in the old days. The classic design will never spoil the interior and will harmoniously fit into any garden plot. The model is mounted using a bent stand, the height of which is 68 cm. The solar battery generates electric current, the voltage is 1.2 V. This value is enough to operate a 0.05 W LED lamp. Globo Lighting Solar 33271 can illuminate an area of ​​about 0.1 sq. m. The ceiling, based on a metal case, has a rectangular shape and is made of transparent plastic. Low protection against dust and moisture (IP44) does not allow you to compete with models from other companies. The fittings have different colors, which allows you to choose the most suitable option (black, brown, bronze, copper, brass)

Unusual antique appearance and simple installation attracts the attention of consumers. Reasonable price is also good

Globo Lighting Solar 33271
Advantages:

• ease of installation;
• classic design;
• moderate price.

Flaws:

small lighting area.

Novotech Solar 357201

A high-quality lamp from a Hungarian company has an affordable price. However, this is not its main advantage. Experts most liked the versatility of the product. An elegant model in the form of a cylinder is in harmony with the elements of the garden alley or the entrance group. The chrome-plated body of the rack and the plastic white shade complement each other and look very impressive. The power of the LEDs is 0.06 watts. Illuminated area - 1 sq. m. The duration of the service is calculated 30,000 hours. In addition to the solar panel, the model is equipped with a battery with a capacity of 200 mAh. Customers like both the beautiful appearance and the affordable price.

Novotech Solar 357201
Advantages:

• inexpensive;
• stylish;
• durable;
• Has an extra battery
• universal.

Flaws:

unstable.

FERON 6178

Buyers are attracted most of all by the beautiful design and low price. The quality of the case materials for the internal parts is impeccable. LEDs emit white light. The lamp is easily installed on the beds, flower beds or in the front garden. The case does not fade and is well protected from moisture and dust. In cloudy weather, the effect of such a product is not very much.

FERON 6178
Advantages:

• made of high quality non-flammable materials;
• easy to install;
• has a beautiful design.
• inexpensive.

Flaws:

no.

Globo Lighting Solar 33839

Another representative of the Austrian company is interesting because a thermometer is built into its case. The plastic cover has the shape of a cone and is mounted on a metal base. An LED bulb consumes about 0.06W of power. With this characteristic, a luminous flux of about 270 lm is provided, the lighting area is limited, it is possible to highlight only a small area of ​​​​about 0.1 square meters. m.Power is provided by a solar battery with a voltage of 3 V. The luminaire is fixed on the ground surface with a stand 37.7 cm high. It has an affordable price, looks very beautiful, easy installation - these are the qualities that attract buyers.

Globo Lighting Solar 33839
Advantages:

• the presence of a built-in thermometer;
• democratic price;
• interesting shape;
• simple installation.

Flaws:

• small area of ​​illumination;
• poor stability;
• low position of the thermometer.

"Wonderful garden" White irises 695

A worthy place in the ranking is occupied by the original design "Wonderful Garden", developed by Russian designers. The lamp is a wonderful decoration of the garden plot, the flowers look like real ones. In the dark, the device serves to illuminate the area. In the ceiling, made in the form of irises, 4 LEDs are mounted, which are responsible for the backlight. The total power is 2.4 W. Housing protection against dust and moisture - IP44. Variable glow gives a beautiful effect, the kit includes a solar battery and a light sensor. Multicolor overflows are very popular with buyers.

lamp "Wonderful garden" White irises 695
Advantages:

• beautiful appearance;
• affordable price;
• the presence of a light sensor.

Flaws:

instability.

Autonomous power plants

Installation for lighting SEU-1

A good source of electricity in all weather conditions are universal solar power plants SPP.

Installation of SPP does not require excavation and cable laying.

Installations for lighting small settlements have proven themselves well. From the required load and the duration of sunny days, the following models are used:

1. The SEU-1 model is equipped with a battery with a capacity of 45-200 Ah.The peak power of the solar battery is 40-160 watts.
2. The SEU-2 model is equipped with a battery with a capacity of 100-350 Ah. The peak power of the solar battery is 180-300 watts.

If it is necessary to increase the power of the SPP, it can be combined into a single power system. Installations are convenient for generating and storing electricity outside settlements. From the SPP, it is possible to supply electricity for the operation of pedestrian indicators and traffic lights.

The use of solar energy for high-quality street lighting is expensive. But over time, all costs will pay off due to energy savings.

Device and principle of operation

The design of lighting fixtures on solar batteries is simple and affordable. The lantern consists of a number of elements, each of which has a specific function.

If you wish, you can make a lamp yourself, using a simple scheme for connecting parts.

The principle of operation of solar lamps is based on the conversion of light particles into electrical energy, which is used to illuminate the area.

Main details:

• Panel (microcircuit). The main part is a photovoltaic module on semiconductors, responsible for the transformation of light into electricity.
• Built-in battery. A unit that provides the accumulation and conservation of electricity received during the daytime.
• Glowing elements. Solar-powered lamps usually use LED bulbs that consume a minimum of energy. The standard option is elements rated 0.06 W.
• Frame. The outer shell of the product, designed to accommodate the ceiling and lamp.For some models, additional optical components are provided that contribute to the optimal distribution of light beams.
• Controller (switch). A device that controls the setting mode and optimizes the process of charging / discharging the battery. As a rule, the same device is responsible for automatically turning on and off the lighting.

Also part of the design of the lamp is a support. Depending on the model, the design may include a footboard (pillar) of various heights or a mount designed for a vertical or other base.

Special devices control the process of starting up and turning off the device, and are also responsible for the glow of the LED depending on the voltage indicator.

Controllers can be external (for a lighting system) and built-in.

Advantages and disadvantages of street lights

The main advantage of such lamps is the built-in solar battery. Also, the device of the flashlight does not imply the presence of any moving elements, which is why it is practically invulnerable. Solar panels do not require special care. They do not need to be refueled, preventive maintenance is carried out.

The service life of such lamps, although limited by the time frame, is still quite large. Street lamps will illuminate the area for about 25 years without much interruption in operation. While their household "brothers" will be able to do this for only about 10 years. It is known that the nickel-cadmium battery built into the lamp has a service life of up to 15 years. The presence of LEDs with a power of 0.06 W allows the lighting device to work in total about 100,000 hours. Even with daily 8-10 hours of operation, such a lamp can last up to 27 years.

plafondfrom dust and waterproof

Such lamps have a rather attractive design. Industrial lanterns, which are designed to illuminate entire streets and parks, are usually made of steel. And lamps designed to illuminate the adjoining territories of private estates can be made of bamboo, bronze or glass.

The use of such lighting devices can significantly save financial resources. Since the laying and arrangement of power lines is much more expensive. Also an indisputable advantage is the environmental friendliness of such lighting systems.

Almost all the disadvantages of using street lights come down to

• Inconsistent availability of sunlight. For regions where the sun rarely shows, such devices will be less effective than in countries where the soft sun shines year-round.
• Due to too cold weather, the battery is prone to failure. However, this can also happen during prolonged heat, which can lead to overheating of the semiconductor device. In this position, the efficiency of the device will decrease and the risk that the device will completely fail increases.
• In hot weather, it is best to install an additional cooling system. Solar panels are selective in energy absorption. It must be of a certain frequency.
• The protective glass that protects the device from dust and moisture can become dirty over time, which also reduces the efficiency of the device. Therefore, he still needs care.

Criteria for selecting parts and prices

The choice of parts depends on how powerful the lamp you intend to make. We give specific ratings for a home-made lighting device with a power of 1 W and a luminous flux intensity of 110 Lm.

Since in the above scheme there are no elements for controlling the level of charge of the battery, then, first of all, it is necessary to pay attention to the choice of a solar battery. If you choose a panel with too little current, then during daylight hours it simply will not have time to charge the battery to the desired capacity. Conversely, a light bar that is too powerful can recharge the battery during daylight hours and render it unusable.

Conclusion: the current generated by the panel and the battery capacity must match. For a rough calculation, you can use the ratio of 1:10. In our particular product, we use a solar panel with a voltage of 5 V and a generated current of 150 mA (120-150 rubles) and a 18650 form factor battery (voltage 3.7 V; capacity 1500 mAh; cost 100-120 rubles)

Conversely, a light bar that is too powerful can recharge the battery during daylight hours and render it unusable. Conclusion: the current generated by the panel and the battery capacity must match. For a rough calculation, you can use the ratio of 1:10. In our particular product, we use a solar panel with a voltage of 5 V and a generated current of 150 mA (120-150 rubles) and a rechargeable battery of the 18650 form factor (voltage 3.7 V; capacity 1500 mAh; cost 100-120 rubles).

Also for the manufacture we need:

• Schottky diode 1N5818 with a maximum allowable forward current of 1 A - 6-7 rubles. The choice of this particular type of rectifier part is due to the low voltage drop across it (about 0.5 V). This will allow you to use the solar panel most efficiently.
• Transistor 2N2907 with a maximum collector-emitter current up to 600 mA - 4-5 rubles.
• Powerful white LED TDS-P001L4U15 (luminous flux intensity - 110 Lm; power - 1 W; operating voltage - 3.7 V; current consumption - 350 mA) - 70-75 rubles.

Important! The operating current of LED D2 (or the total total current when using multiple emitters) must be less than the maximum allowable collector-emitter current of transistor T1. This condition is met with a margin for the parts used in the circuit: I(D2)=350 mA

Battery compartment KLS5-18650-L (FC1-5216) - 45-50 rubles

If, when installing the device, carefully solder the wires to the battery terminals, you can refuse to purchase this structural element

Battery compartment KLS5-18650-L (FC1-5216) - 45-50 rubles. If, when installing the device, you carefully solder the wires to the battery terminals, you can refuse to purchase this structural element.

• Resistor R1 with a nominal value of 39-51 kOhm - 2-3 rubles.
• The additional resistor R2 is calculated in accordance with the characteristics of the LED used.

Top 7 Models

All models of street lamps were tested in Russia and some users left feedback on electrical appliances.

Novotech Solar black

The wall lamp with solar panel is designed to be mounted on horizontal or vertical surfaces. Form - in the form of a rectangular panel, the mounting bracket is attached to the body with winglets to adjust the position of the lamp.

Production characteristics:

• Novotech (Hungary).
• Collection – Solar.
• Height: 151 mm (15.1 cm).
• Width: 115 mm (11.5 cm).
• Length: 163 mm (16.3 cm).

Specifications:

• The power of the lamp block is 12.4 W.
• Total power - 12.4 watts.
• Color - black and white.
• Material of plafonds and fittings - plastic.

Ever Brite Solar Motion

Black plastic street lamp for home and garden. There is a motion sensor, holes are made in the case for mounting on the wall.

Specifications:

• The estimated lighting area is 10 m².
• The degree of dust and moisture protection is IP55.
• Number of LEDs - 4.

• Shade color - black
• Light flux - 120 lm.
• Voltage - 12 V.

Cons: due to the use of plastic, the model cannot be left in the sun for a long time - failure is possible due to overheating of the batteries.

LIKES 30 LED

A small flashlight with a motion sensor and a capacious battery. Assembled in a compact package, it will work for a long time when installed near the house or on the site.

Specifications:

• The number of lamps is 30.
• The maximum lamp power is 6 watts.
• Material of a plafond - plastic (ABS).
• Battery parameters - 3.7 V, 1200 mAh.

• The battery type is lithium-ion.
• Black color.
• Case dimensions: 124 x 96 x 68 mm.

Pros: small size, you can carry with you. Hanging on a horizontal surface takes 5-10 minutes. Shines brightly. The housing is protected from moisture.

Cons: the plastic case gets very hot in the sun.

Oasis Light ST9079

Street lamp, the body consists of a plastic shade, metal fittings. Small size and high power make the appliance versatile.

Characteristics:

• Type of lamps - LED.
• Number of lamps - 1.
• Voltage - 3.7 V.
• Light flux - 100 lm.

• The total power is 13 watts.
• The maximum lamp power is 13 watts.
• Protection type - IP44. Additional concealed wiring is possible.

Pros: small size, high brightness.

Cons: fragile body.

Novotech Solar 358019

Powerful stationary lamp for mounting on a vertical plane.A large ceiling, a bright light source will well illuminate the space in the garden.

Characteristics:

• Material - plastic.
• The type of light source is LED.
• Degree of protection - IP54.
• Rated voltage - 3.7 V.
• Width - 161 mm.
• Height - 90 mm.
• Length - 214 mm.

• The number of lamps is 1.
• Lamp power - 12 watts.
• The total power is 12.1 watts.
• Light temperature - 6000K.
• Lighting area - 3 cubic meters.
• Base color is black.

Pros: it shines brightly, convenient fastening, accurate operation of the motion sensor.

Cons: the plastic case can burst in the cold.

SOLAR 33372

The original lamp in the form of a white dog holding an antique lantern. Designed for installation on a horizontal surface.

Characteristics:

• Type of lamps - LED.
• The number of plafonds - 1.
• The fittings are plastic.
• The cover material is plastic.
• Height - 25 cm.
• Length - 15.5 cm.

• Width - 23.5 cm.
• Power - 0.06 W.
• Rated voltage - 3.2 V.
• Base type - E27.
• Type of dust and moisture protection - IP44.

Pros: an original decoration for a gazebo or porch.

Cons: no motion sensor.

Solar Cube/Box LED 93774

Outdoor luminaire with a modern design, designed to be built into horizontal or vertical surfaces - ground, walls. Well suited for the formation of circular lighting of the house.

Characteristics:

• Number of lamps - 1.
• Armature - metal.
• Shade type - glass.
• Height - 4.5 cm.
• Length - 10 cm.
• Width - 10 cm.
• The width of the mortise hole is 100 cm.
• Weight - 0.335 kg.

• Power - 0.24 W.
• Voltage - 1.5 V.
• Electrical safety class - III.
• Socle type - LED.
• Type of dust and moisture protection - IP67.
• Color temperature - 2700 K
• Luminous flux - 3.6 lm.

Pros: service life (calculated) - up to 15,000 hours, build quality. Withstands loads up to 500 kg.

Cons: narrow scope.

DIY manufacturing

Such a handmade work will perfectly decorate any personal plot, make the landscape original and unique.

What do we need for assembly? First of all, you need batteries with a minimum capacity of 1500 mAh, which have a voltage of 3.7 V at the output of the terminals.

It is best to purchase "finger" Ni-MH models, because during the daytime the 3000 mAh battery still does not have time to fully charge. To fully charge such a device, 8 hours of daylight is enough.

In order for the battery to charge, you need to buy a solar panel with a voltage of 5.5 V / 200 mA in a radio parts store. You will also need 47-56 Ohm resistors, a KD243A (KD521) diode or a 1N4001 / 7 / 1N4148 diode, a KT361G (KT315) or 2N3906 transistor.

When buying LEDs, you can take 1 piece with a power of 3 W or several with a power of 1-1.5 W for each lamp, and you can use a compact disk as a reflector.

By assembling such a design, you can save 2.5-3 times.

The best ground lights

To create the effect of the courtyard area, ground lighting devices are used. They are necessary to give illumination to entrance groups, arbors, paths, alleys. Experts have assessed some interesting options.

Novotech Solar 357413

Hungarian designers surprised with their bright solution.
An unusual model serves to illuminate the garden area. The motion sensor commands the simultaneous activation of 28 LED lights. The lamp works at a distance of 10 m, the detection angle is 120 degrees.The operating temperature range is quite wide, it lies in the range from minus 20 to plus 40 degrees Celsius. The power of the luminous flux is sufficient to provide light to a zone on an area of ​​at least 5 square meters. A high degree of protection against dust and moisture, as indicated by the IP54 number in the passport for the lamp. The manufacturer guarantees reliable operation, the warranty period is 2 years. The total power is 2.5 watts. Due to the bright glow, the presence of a touch switch, and a high degree of reliability, the model turned out to be out of competition compared to other samples. Many buyers are not afraid of even the high cost. The lamp justifies itself.

Novotech Solar 357413
Advantages:

• originality;
• reliability;
• brightness.

Flaws:

high price

Globo Lighting Solar 33961-4

Once again, the Austrian manufacturers were pleased. The ground model has an Art Nouveau design and can perfectly illuminate the garden and park area in a country residence. There are spikes for easy installation. The voltage of the solar panels is 3.2 V, four LED lamps have a power of 0.06 W each. The cylindrical body is made of stainless steel, it has a built-in transparent plastic cover. All this economy can illuminate a plot of up to 1 sq. m. High-quality materials, stylish appearance at an affordable price allows you to assign a high rating to the product. There is such a minus: until the morning, sometimes there is not enough charge.

Globo Lighting Solar 33961-4
Advantages:

• inexpensive;
• made of quality materials;
• able to illuminate a large area;
• effectively decorated.

Flaws:

It has a small battery capacity.

Novotech Fuoco 357991

The development of Hungarian designers has taken its rightful place in the Russian market. The device with a high degree of protection (IP65) combines black fittings and a white plastic cover. The model is equipped with a LED light bulb, its power is 1 watt. The case with a diameter of 12 cm is located at a height of 76.3 cm. Insufficient lighting brightness does not allow to have a palm, so the lamp lags behind the leaders a little. In the package there is only 1 lamp and a solar battery. The manufacturer provides a two-year warranty. Many people like the original design, and the democratic price plays an important role, a high degree of dust and moisture protection also speaks in favor of this design. But a modest luminous flux pulls down.

Novotech Fuoco 357991
Advantages:

• high degree of protection;
• elegance;
• affordable price;
• sustainability.

Flaws:

lack of luminous flux.

What to look for when choosing

What type of street lamp power supply do you have installed?

SolarElectric

Before buying a flashlight, you need to determine what functions it will perform, what requirements are placed on the lighting device.

Particular attention should be paid to the following properties and parameters:

• Dimensions - for installation near the house it does not matter. And for use as a portable light source, you need to buy a small flashlight.
• Housing type - users recommend buying fixtures made of lightweight aluminum. Its strength is enough for daily use and carrying around the site, if necessary. Aluminum is not afraid of frost and (unlike plastic) will not burst.
• Battery capacity - it is believed that the more the better.However, a battery that is too capacious will not have time to fully charge. Especially if you live in a region where there are no long sunny days. As a result, the money overpaid for a large battery will be wasted.
• The size of the solar panel - the larger the area, the faster recharging will occur.

When buying, you should also look at the manufacturer's warranty period, study additional features: moisture protection, resistance to dirt and dust, additional connectors for connecting power supplies, is there a motion sensor in the kit.

What are the modes of operation:

• "Nightlight" - shines constantly, but not at full power. When the motion sensor detects that someone is passing by, it turns on the flashlight at full power.
• "Constant lighting" - works at full power until the power runs out or the sun rises.
• "Off, responds to movement" - the flashlight starts working only when it detects activity, the rest of the time it does not light up.