Solar Lights for Parking Lots: The Design Basics You Need to Know

There are a few basic design principles of solar parking lot lights. To gain deeper insight into a cost-effective solar PV system design, here's what you need to know.

What is Solar PV System?

Solar PV system uses photovoltaics (PV) to transform sunlight into electricity. Solar-powered photovoltaic panels, also called modules, contain photovoltaic cells. These cells convert incoming sunlight into electricity that can either stored for later use or directly supply a home or a business with renewable energy. Solar energy is a clean and reliable source of electricity that has a vast range of applications. With its high rate of return, solar is considered a great investment opportunity and is now being embraced by many industries across the board.

Components of Solar Outdoor Lights

Depending on the system type, application, and site location, a solar-powered system consists of different parts. The main components are solar PV panel, LED light, solar charge controller, inverter, battery, and pole.

• Solar PV panel consists of photovoltaic cells that are wired together and convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity.
• Solar charge controller regulates the voltage and current that is coming from the solar panel. It uses the panel to charge the battery, keeps it from overcharging and prolongs the battery's life span.
• Batteries store the energy that can later be used to supply lights and various electrical appliances when there is a demand.
• LED light provides high-quality illumination using energy produced by solar panels.

Power Consumption of Your Solar System

When designing a solar parking lot lights system, it is important to calculate the total power and energy consumption of LED lighting. To find out the total consumption of your solar system, you should calculate total watt-hours per day for each part that will need to be supplied with solar power. Tip: When making this calculation, you should also take into consideration the energy lost in the system for the most accurate results.

The Size of the Solar Panel

The number and size of the solar panels are important for the optimal performance for solar parking lot lights. They come in different sizes and types, each outputting a different amount of power. To find out the right sizing of your solar panel, you should calculate the total peak watt needs. The peak watt (Wp) produced will depend on the size of the PV panel and climate of parking lot location. You should calculate the total Wp rating needed for solar PV panels and number of solar panels required for the system so you will get the minimum number of solar panels for your parking lot.

The Best Solar Lights for Parking Lots

Solar-powered LED lights are an energy efficient and reliable solution for solar parking lot lights. To get the most accurate and cost-effective system, you should seek assistance from professionals. Choose a reliable company with a vast experience in developing and manufacturing solar outdoor lighting solutions.