Solar Lighting Applications in a Nutshell

Solar lighting is incredibly versatile. These ten applications show that businesses, municipalities, corporations, parks, and public places of all sorts can benefit from solar from numerous standpoints. Please consider solar as your lighting solution if your project sounds similar to one of these.

Solar LED lighting isn’t just one thing--it’s one system of components used for many things. The most important aspect of purchasing a solar light is if it does its job without hassle. Here are several ways that these lights perform in public

Solar Lighting for Streets

One of the largest reasons why municipalities choose solar for their street lighting is because of how much of a nuisance construction can be, especially if lights are previously installed in the area. 

Imagine installing a full set of 30 grid-tie lights down sidewalks. That wouldn’t be practical for foot or auto traffic. It may require permits and permission from residents down the street to dig into their yards just to replace necessary lighting. Road closures may have to happen.

That’s not the case with solar. A single solar light can be assembled and installed in less than two hours. No road closures, blocked-off construction sites, or loud drills in the morning. Here’s an example of a street lighting project that saved several thousands of dollars and kept the community’s grounds intact.

Parking Lot Lighting--Solutions Fast

Sometimes companies need solutions quickly. Solar lighting is a fantastic solution in lighting for parking lots since the average time it takes to install lights (especially if pedestals are already present) is about 2 working days. 

Solar lights preserve parking lot pavement and keep commuters safe at night when safety can be a concern. 

Here is an example of how solar parking lot lights were a perfect application for a business.

Park and Park Beautification

Park lighting is notorious for installation for two reasons: grounds and public access. To install traditional lighting, the grounds must be dug into in order to access the power grid, destroying park beautification efforts. Plus, certain areas must be closed off to the public in order to install lighting. Those problems often go hand-in-hand.

The best idea for lighting a park is using solar--with quick, clean installation, lights can be erected in typically a day’s time once the pedestals are in place and dried. 

Here is an example of a park project where solar LED lighting was a perfect application.

Portable Lighting for Construction

Solar lights are quick and easy to deploy. They can be left on location to recharge without the need for noisy, smelly generators that require refueling. Once the project is done, they can be hauled to the next job site. 

Here is an example where solar lights worked great for a construction project, another fantastic application of solar LED lighting.

Airport Lighting

Sometimes airports require extra lighting in order for commuters to safely get from point to point. Airplanes on occasion will release passengers without a connecting gate at night. Solar lighting is perfect for such a situation—mobile solar towers (such as those equipped with ProStar PWM controllers) or portable lights can be transported out onto the airport tarmac where the lights can guide passengers safely into the terminal.

Military Solar Lighting

The military requires a standard that grid-tie options don’t always offer. Sometimes grid-tie can get messy, complicated, time-intensive, and expensive. Solar lighting projects for the military skip the hassle and provide a clean, fast alternative to lighting today. Here is an excellent project of solar lighting for the military.

Security Where You Need it Most

When paired with a motion detector, solar lights can be used to deter theft, enhance security, and provide light on an as-needed basis. The batteries charge via the solar panels during the day and then provide power for the light fixtures at night.

Lights for this application are often found in rural areas where open fields need light to work in. Solar lights are also placed in commercial and residential areas to prevent vandalism--just another major application of solar LED lighting.

Solar Retro-Fit Lighting

Are poles or pedestals in place, but with the lights out? Not a problem. Solar lighting can be installed onto older poles through a retrofit process. This means less hassle and quicker installation, provided that the poles will last. 

Solar Sign Lighting

Solar lighting for signage is perfect for businesses looking for more cost-effective ways of lighting their signs. Often times, billboard lighting can be problematic to power since signage is by roadways, near bushes and pavement, and can be costly to dig into the grounds to run power. Easement costs can multiply project fees and delay installation time, especially if the project is to light multiple signs in several different locations, each of them likely with unique configurations. With solar, you needn’t worry about permits or excessive trenching just for commuters to see your business signs at night.

Solar Canopy / Mailbox / Bus Stop Lighting

There are solar lighting options for canopies, mailboxes, and bus stops as well. Projects like these tend to focus lighting in small areas, so they tend to use fewer lights. You can customize your systems to fit the surroundings of the project area naturally. It’s near impossible to trench and wire for power in some mailbox areas, so solar is a natural option.

We appreciate you taking the time to read all about the applications for solar lighting. Let us know if you have questions and we'd be happy to help. You can also take a gander at our brand-new solar lighting guide, available on our website or in PDF form.