Solar Street Lights—How Are They Made?

Contemporary solar street lights are autonomous, energy-efficient, and user-friendly. Knowing the basic components of a solar street light system helps explain its construction. Components depend on system type and use. Solar street light parts are briefly described here.

A solar panel is a structure of solar cells. This converts solar energy into direct power for solar street lights. Polycrystalline solar panels are cheaper and more common, but monocrystalline solar panels are more efficient. Solar panel size determines power output.

A rechargeable battery stores converted power for nighttime LED lighting. Modern solar street lights employ lithium-ion or lithium iron phosphate (LiFEPO4) batteries instead of lead acid batteries. Lithium batteries charge quickly, are lightweight, and require minimal maintenance.

Charge controllers store electricity in batteries. Controllers prevent overcharging and undercharging. It regulates voltage and avoids current backflow when conversion stops at dusk to safeguard the battery. Solar street lights employ PWM or MPPT controllers that can manage PV array current.

Solar street lights function independently by sensing sunlight. Motion sensors allow new all-in-one solar street lights to illuminate when motion is detected and dim otherwise. After a few hours, integrated solar street lights dim until dawn.