Harnessing Solar Technology in Street Lights 

 

Mankind has been exploring the nature thoroughly and is making progress day by day. By unveiling nature’s wonders, humanity is taking innovative measures to achieve remarkable progress. Solar energy is one of the billions of nature’s wonders. The energy coming from the sun is now being converted into electricity, either directly or indirectly. This energy is regarded as a renewable resource. Solar energy has found its applications in our daily lives. This plays a vital role in our lives. This article is focused on utilizing solar energy in streetlights for better infrastructure. 

 

Benefits of Solar Street Lights: 

Installation of solar lights in the streets helps in having better infrastructure. Photovoltaic cells generate energy directly from the sun in order to lighten the bulbs. There are several benefits for using solar streetlights instead of conventional ones. Firstly, solar streetlights are cost effective. They don’t require hydroelectricity to lighten the bulbs which is more costly as compared to solar electricity. Solar streetlights are independent of utility grids which reduces their operational cost. Secondly, no external wires are used to operate the solar lights, thus minimizing the risk of accidents. Moreover, solar lights are more environmentally friendly than the conventional ones. Solar lights are more durable and reliable.  

 

Technical Aspects: How it Works? 

Solar streetlights are elevated light sources that run on solar energy. The photovoltaic cells or panels on streetlights collect solar energy from the sun. The solar panels are integrated into the pole or mounted on the lighting structure which transforms the solar energy into electrical energy. This energy illuminates the lamp on the streetlights at night.  An LED or fluorescent lamp is powered by a rechargeable battery that is charged by solar panels and used at night. 

 

Solar Technology Installation Capacity: 

Following are top 5 countries who have the highest solar technology installation capacities: 

 

Ranking	Countries	Installed PV
1	China	224,541
2	U.S	97,478
3	Japan	68,953
4	Germany	46,392
5	India	43,870

 

Pattern of Cost for Solar Systems: 

The cost of solar systems used to be the highest in the 1900s. With the increase in sales and usage of solar systems in recent years, the cost has come to a fall. This enables the use of solar power in streetlights. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the cost of solar panels has fallen from 10$ / W to 2 $ / W between 1980 to 2010, a decline of 80% in 30 years. A decline of an additional 50% has been seen between 2015 to 2019. 

 

Innovations and Trends in Solar Street Lights: 

Execution of solar energy in streetlights has become a popular trend in most of the developed countries. As solar streetlights are cost-effective and eco-friendly, the solar streetlights are expected to be in high demand in the upcoming years. Transmission of electricity has become feasible in rural areas. Electricity is the most vital and basic human need. Rural population can enjoy perks of using different electrical appliances with the help of this renewable resource.