Solar Powered LED Lighting

Solar-LED Lighting: A Powerful Parking Alternative

Whether illuminating a quiet walkway or a busy parking lot, effective illumination can make a world of difference.

Safety, security, convenience and aesthetics can all be enhanced by suitable illumination, but sometimes the best spot for a light is far from a convenient source of electricity. Installing power lines, above or below ground, can be a challenge, especially in remote areas, or developed lots where pavement and landscape features can make trenching and cabling a costly and disruptive prospect. Fortunately, advances in photovoltaic and LEDs technology have produced a convenient alternative: the solar-powered LED.

SOLAR LED COMES OF AGE:

Although solar-LEDS have been popular for years as navigational aids for the marine and aviation industries, the underlying technology has only recently advanced to the point where it could illuminate larger outdoor areas in an efficient, cost-effective manner. A new generation of white, high-efficacy LEDs (light emitting diodes) helped make this possible by requiring less energy to produce a brighter and more effective, yet natural and aesthetically pleasing output.

This new innovation, combined with advanced photovoltaic and energy management technology, enabled solar engineers to specify a smaller photovoltaic panel to gather the suns energy, a smaller battery system to store it, and more elegant structure to support these components.

A LIGHT FOR ANY LOCATION:

With an array of sizes, styles and outputs now available, solar-LEDs are suitable for a range of applications, from providing pedestrian-level illumination for pathways, stairs, transit stops, kiosks and ticket dispensers, to illuminating streets, parking lots, fence lines, and green spaces.

Although solidly constructed as a permanent fixture to endure high winds, rain and other environmental challenges, solar-LEDs can also offer a convenient solution for illuminating temporary venues or overflow parking areas at special events. Easy to set up, take down, and relocate as necessary, LEDs are extremely durable and consequently, easy to transport without fear of breakage. With minimal environmental impact, there is also little need for follow-up site repair or remediation. As an alternative to generator-powered portable lights, solar-LEDs can offer a clean, silent and reliable illuminating solution, free from wires, fumes, noise and fuel deliveries.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Although the list of potential sites and applications continues to grow steadily, solar technology is not without challenges; variables such as seasonal conditions, geographic location, and shade from buildings or trees can affect performance. Fortunately, these conditions are not insurmountable; todays solar-LED technology provides a range of built-in energy management system (EMS) and control capabilities from basic on/off control to adaptive dimming and sensing that can help to balance the relationship between illuminating requirements and available energy resources. Some solar LEDs can also be programmed to maximize illumination output whenever the need is anticipated to be the greatest for example, during times of highest usage and conserve energy outside of peak usage hours.

Others may monitor environmental conditions and dynamically adjust illumination output to match the level of solar charging available. Thanks to the versatile characteristics of LEDs (including instant on and variable dimming), motion controlled bi-level illumination is also gaining popularity as a way to conserve energy both in solar and AC-powered LED systems by reducing illumination levels when a parking area is not in use. Thanks to these advanced capabilities, a solar-LED can manage the available energy as efficiently as possible to ensure that light is always available when needed.

Another consideration is cost. Because of the specialized components involved, an industrial quality solar-LED will typically cost more to purchase than a standard AC equivalent. Although much of this initial investment can be recouped over time through lower installation, maintenance and operations costs, locations with easy access to grid power or with hard-wired lighting currently in place might find a simple upgrade to an energy-efficient light fixture to be the more affordable short-term option.

But for new construction, areas with outdated cabling, or locations where grid-based electricity would be too costly, inconvenient or impractical to access, an investment in solar-LEDs can offer considerable advantages. Freedom from the grid means unprecedented versatility and reliability. Solar-LEDs install quickly and operate reliably, and with no bulbs to burn out, product maintenance is typically limited to a simple battery exchange after five years. Freedom from power lines and utility power also translates into dependable year-round illumination; in windstorms, local power outages or regional blackouts, solar-powered LEDs can stay lit even when other lights go out.

While helping to reduce a facilitys overall energy consumption, a renewable energy alternative can also qualify for a range of government stimulus grants or incentives, and even contribute to renewable energy credit programs such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.

In a recent example, NASAs Stennis Space Center, located in south Mississippi, was developing a new Cryogenics Control Center facility and parking lot in accordance with LEED green-building guidelines. Although grid power was readily available onsite, traditional hard-wired illumination options would have exceeded the Centers total allowable energy consumption and affected its LEED rating. To meet the facilitys stringent illuminating requirements without increasing overall electricity usage, NASA engineers identified Carmanah solar-LED parking lot lights as the perfect solution. As an off-grid alternative, an installation of solar-LEDs would provide a reliable source of bright, uniform illumination while consuming no additional electricity. In addition to providing superior output and performance in accordance with IESNA guidelines, the full-cutoff Dark Sky-friendly design ensures that illumination is directed only where needed (preventing glare or spillover of light onto neighboring properties or into the night sky), and a built-in energy management capability guarantees optimal illuminated performance all year round.

RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY IN ACTION:

At a time when technological, economic and political factors are converging to provide an unprecedented level of support for renewable energy technology, solar power is emerging as a versatile and practical alternative for a range of general illuminating applications. From paths to parking lots, solar-LEDs can solve a variety of logistical illuminating challenges, helping to conserve energy and control costs in the process. While providing impressive illumination performance from a stand-alone device, each solar-powered LED also conveys a positive environmental message, day or night, as an immediately recognizable symbol of renewable energy technology in action.

ADVANTAGES OF SOLAR-LEDs:

* Durable construction: SSL components offer greater resistance to impacts, vibration and environmental extremes* Versatile placement: Free from grid connections, stand-alone lights can be added just about anywhere theres access to sunlight* Low-cost installation: With no trenching, cabling or grid access required, solar LEDs can be installed quickly and affordability, with minimal disruption to traffic flow, businesses or landscaping.* Cost-effective operation: Solar LEDs can save money with quick implementation, low maintenance, long product life, and no electricity bills, ever* Energy efficiency: high-efficacy LEDs efficiently convert energy to light, for a clean, green, renewable energy solution* Dark Sky friendly: directional optics and full cutoff shielding ensure illumination is delivered only where needed* Adjustable output: light output can be dynamically adjusted for brighter or dimmer illumination to accommodate user preferences and energy requirements.

WHEN EVALUATING SOLAR-LEDS:

* Third-party testing: Look for a product tested in accordance with the IESNA (Illuminating Engineering Society of North America) LM-79 and LM-80 standards to ensure optimal LED performance and lifespan* IES files: Ensure the manufacturer can supply IES (Illuminating Engineering Society) files to illustrate factors such as minimum illumination levels and uniformity* Illumination requirements: Be sure to consider the proposed run time or operating profile required to identify the best system for a given application* Manufacturer: Compare system warranties, and consider the experience and expertise of the manufacturer to ensure the product will meet the performance and environmental demands of the proposed application.