It’s exhilarating to be at the forefront of modern technology. New technologies can enhance safety, protect the environment and provide more cost effective solutions. Solar street lights offer everything that’s attractive about the integration of renewable energy and smart technology. However, change usually involves some effort first. Be sure that you have all solar street light system components ready for the final assembly and installation.So, how challenging is the installation of solar street lights? Since I have been receiving this type of question very often, I have written this blog to explain in detail the step by step approach for proper installation of solar LED street lights.
Is This a Viable DIY Project?
When installing off-grid units there’s no reason you can’t do it yourself. User friendliness from the start is a characteristic of modern technology. However, remember that for safety and insurance purposes the work must be certified by a qualified electrician and completed by an experienced installer.
These solar street light installation procedures will help you get it right the first time. Before going there, let us see how good rock music is compatible with attaching the solar panel to the street light pole. It’s fun, right?
How to Prepare?
All procedures progress faster with proper planning and you’ll keep everyone safe.
Step 1 – Safety Guidelines
The majority of solar lights are installed in public areas, whether it’s in a driveway, park, square or parking lot lighting. This means you’ll be surrounded by people during the installation process. It is essential to be focused on the task at hand and help other people stay safe by creating a work perimeter with barrier tape.
Step 2 – Use protective clothing such as:
– Gloves
– A hard hat
– Rubber shoes
These tools will reduce the chance of getting injured. Remove watches and jewelry. You don’t want these conductors of electricity hindering you while working with electrical wiring.
Step 3 – General Preparation
Do you have everything you need to complete the installation of your solar street lights successfully? Don’t postpone the project halfway through, because exposed metal or wires can get damaged overnight. You need to have everything in place, including:
– All solar street light parts including pole, battery, solar panel and controller
– Steel cage with four protruding bolts
– Tools:
o Wrench
o Hoisting mechanism
o Screwdrivers and cutters to work with wires
You’ll hoist the pole with one of these methods:
– Pulling it erect with a car or crane
– Pulling it upright yourself
– Having workers keep it upright while you secure it
The weight of the pole determines how much assistance you’ll need
What to do next?
Yes, solar street lights can be installed virtually on any location. Find a level area to erect the pole on. Inappropriate slope profiling will complicate work and may cause the area to eventually erode, destabilizing your construction. LED lights are supplied with solar street light installation manuals, which will inform you of unique features and installation requirements. To read more on the specific details in the design of solar street light systems, click here.
Prepare the wires according to your user manual so that they’re ready when you start your installation. Positive and negative wires must connect:
– Solar panel
– Battery
– LED Light
– Controller
The central part that manages your solar street light is the solar controller (it is better if it is a smart controller). You’ll have at least three sets of wires – usually black and red wires – running to your solar controller. Beware not to connect negative to positive points. Make sure to have wires that are long enough for your specific setup so each step in your process will run smoothly.
Your light requires a foundation. Your best option is a metal street light installation cage embedded in concrete. You can purchase or build this metal cage if you have a production facility.
Prepare and dig a hole to make sure there aren’t any obstructions such as rocks or pipes. You’ll need a 1m³ hole with additional space to store the solar battery, which can be placed underground in a hole approximately 60 cm deep.
How to Install your Solar LED Street Lights?
Now you’re ready to proceed further with the following solar street light installation steps.
Step 1 – The Foundation of the Pole
The steel cage that serves as an anchor should have four metal bolts. Most solar street light poles have bases with holes to fit through these bolts. The cage is secured with cement. You need to simply anchor the cage with some cement at the bottom of the hole. You can then fill the hole when you’re done with the installation.
Step 2 – Placing the Solar Battery
Batteries must be housed in protective casings (IP67) above ground or in the ground to better protect them against theft and fluctuations in temperature.
Connect the wires as we have described in the text above so that the solar battery is connected to the solar controller inside the pole. This allows the generated solar power to be transferred to the battery – the wires will run inside of the pole.
Step 3 – Prepare the Solar Panel and the LED Light
Prepare your solar panel and LED lights while the pole is still lying on the ground. It’s easier to work on their wiring in this position than when they’re at an elevated level after installation.
The LED light and the solar panel must also be secured to the pole with bolts, or via the mechanisms the manufacturer provides.
Remember, solar panels are quite fragile components. These units must be handled with extra care to prevent unnecessary damages.
The position must create a suitable angle for the solar panel to be faced in the right direction:
– In the northern hemisphere the panel’s surface must face south
– In the southern hemisphere the surface must face north
– Ensure buildings and trees in the vicinity won’t throw shadows across your panel
Test your solar panel and LED lights before your erect the pole by connecting all the wires. If you cover the solar panel – as if it’s night time – the LED light is supposed to go on. If your solar LED street light model is designed to react to movement, you can test these features as well. If you to want learn more about smart solar street lights check out this blog post.
Step 4 – The Pole with Solar Controller
The solar controller is placed inside the pole with connected wires to the solar panel and the LED lights. After you properly connect these components, you can hoist up your solar street light pole.
You can use a crane or truck, but here’s another benefit of modern technology. Many solar street lights are light even though they’re durable. You can hoist it by yourself or with the assistance of a few workers. This is a practical solution if your solar powered LED lights are installed where no vehicles can get close. In addition, Lightinus Smart Solar Street Light posses modular design which enables you to erect it with bare hands since each pole is made out of couple of modules which go inside one another.
Anchor the pole by fitting the holes into the steel cage’s bolts and secure it with nuts. Use a spirit level to ensure the pole is lifted up and placed under straight angle. If installed at an inappropriate angle, it can cause strain that can damage the foundation over time.
The wires running from the solar battery must be connected to the solar controller too. Allow for these wires to reach the battery pack through the soil or concrete that forms your foundation.
Time for Testing
Before you fill all holes with concrete, test the solar LED street light for 48 hours. Create scenarios such as people or cars passing and ensure the solar LED light is functional in every situation. Disconnect the solar battery and check if the solar system alerts you to problems. A smart solar street light system has remote management software that significantly improves control, maintenance, servicing, battery management and solar energy optimization of each street light unit. To enjoy these features your entire solar off-grid system must be faultless. This is why accuracy, thorough testing and quality workmanship is essential at the end of the installation procedure.
Modern technology enables solar installers to perform a full system go-ahead testing via specifically designed solar installation apps connected via cloud to the smart solar controller. If you would like to go through a demo testing of solar street lights using a special solar installation app, schedule a meeting with us and we will gladly walk you through the solar street light installation app on your phone.
Finally, now you can enjoy your smart LED lights powered by renewable energy sources.
