Solar street lights…aka street lamps, in some cases…are becoming more and more popular every day. There are a number of reasons for this, but the primary reason is that they offer a number of benefits over traditional streetlights.
But many people may just dismiss them since “street light” usually means something that the local city government takes care of…Those large, silver poles that take a crane to put in place.
However, there are many solar-powered street lights available to the consumer, so I wanted to cover the benefits a home-owner might get out of one…everything from extra lighting along your driveway to security lighting to lighting for backyard features.
Are Solar Powered Street Lights Good?
In general, a solar-powered street light is going to be about 90% more efficient than non-solar street lights. This is because standard street lights lose most of their energy through heat production rather than light production.
Of course, this can fluctuate a bit depending on what type of bulb is installed in the street light, no matter if it’s solar-powered or not. But, the efficiency ratio is still heavily weighted in favor of solar-powered street lights.
This high level of efficiency is thanks to both the solar panel used (typically amorphous solar panels, more info on those over here) and the LED lights used. LEDs produce almost no heat so none of the energy produced by the solar cells is wasted through heat generation.
Solar Street Light VS. Solar Driveway Lamp
Now, there’s no doubt that solar street lights don’t have the same aesthetics that solar driveway lamps have. So you have to ask yourself what matters more for the intended use of the lighting…the look or the functionality.
Most people would probably want the more decorative look that solar driveway lights provide if they intend to line their driveway or walkway to their front door. On the other hand, if you want a lot of light focused in one area…above your garage, for instance…then you may want to opt for a solar street light.
| Feature | Solar Street Light | Solar Driveway Lamp |
| Style Options/Aesthetics | X | |
| Brightness | X | |
| Easy Installation | X | X |
| Durability | X | |
| Functionality Options | x | |
| Price | X |
Everyone will have different reasons for needing one light over the other…but the above chart should at least give you some food for thought. I’ve also written a companion article over here going over some possible uses for solar street lights
How Bright Is Solar Street Lighting?
On the low end, consumer-grade solar street lights will run between 6000 and 8000 lumens with brighter models producing upwards of 30,000 lumens. Standard street lights produce anywhere from 3000 to 6000 lumens.
This means that solar street lights are anywhere from two to four times brighter than traditional streetlights!
Having a light that is this bright might seem like it’s overkill for a backyard or driveway, but there’s good news here too.
Most models, like the KingHe KH-YT200-1, don’t operate continuously at their brightest level. Many models will put out about 30% illumination when there is no activity under its motion sensor, then brighten to 100% when something (like a person walking) triggers the sensor, and then back down to 30% once the movement has passed the sensor.
| HYKOONT 500W | Anzid Security Street Light | KingHe KH-YT200-2 | |
| Brightness | 30,000 Lumens | 10,000 Lumens | 4,000 Lumens |
| Mounting Height | 16-20 Feet | 15 Feet | 13-20 Feet |
| Wattage | 500 Watt | 150 Watt | 200 Watt |
| Separate Solar Panel | Yes | No | No |
| Remote | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Illuminated Width | 35 Feet | 20 Feet | 20 Feet |
What Are The Positives To Solar Powered Street Lights?
There’s a lot to like about solar-powered lighting around your home, but what about solar street lights specifically. These are quite different than solar path lights in that they produce much more light covering a larger area. So, what are some key positives specific to solar street lights?
- No Wiring
- Easier To Move
- They Work For Free
- They Give Off A Lot Of Light
- They’re Adjustable
- Most Have Sensors Which Detect Motion
- Some Have Remotes That Allow For Adjustments
No Wiring
A lot of people are not going to want to deal with running wires and working with electricity…in fact, most circumstances require you to hire a professional electrician, which will significantly add to your costs.
That’s the biggest selling point, in my opinion, for solar-powered street lights. Just set them up, let them sit in the sun for a bit and you’re good to go.
Easier To Move
This one goes hand in hand with “no wiring.” While it’s not always as simple as picking it up and moving to a new location, the lack of wiring makes solar-powered street lights almost that simple.
You’ll still have to do a little bit of handy work with lowering the pole or removing hardware from the surface they’re mounted to, but you won’t have to mess around with turning off power or breakers, cutting wires, re-wiring, etc….basically, the whole process becomes way easier.
They Work For Free
Yes, you have that upfront cost of a few hundred dollars but after, your solar street light will just sit in place and continue to work…for free.
The average electricity bill in the United States is about $115 per month…not a huge sum but why add to that cost, especially if you end up needing multiple lights.
They Give Off A Lot Of Light
This is obvious, but it’s also a major selling point for solar-powered street lights. They are significantly brighter than traditional streetlights and can light up a large area very well.
As mentioned above, a solar street light is 90% more efficient than a standard street light. This increased efficiency is because all of the converted solar energy goes to light, rather than heat waste.
They’re Adjustable
Most models come with the ability to adjust their height and angle. This means that you can fine-tune exactly where you want the light to be and what area you want it to cover.
Additionally, some models...like this one from HYKOONT…also come with an adjustable solar panel. This means that if your light is in a shady spot, you can still get enough sunlight by tilting the panel towards the sun.
Most Have Sensors Which Detect Motion
The vast majority of solar street lights come with some sort of motion sensor. This is a great feature because it saves energy by not having the light at full brightness when there’s no one around.
The sensors can also be adjusted to different sensitivities, so you can get just the right level of brightness and activation. Many default to a setting to a 30-100-30 setting meaning they will idle at 30% illumination when nothing triggers the sensor, go to 100% illumination when movement is detected, and then return to 30% once the movement has passed.
Some Have Remotes That Allow For Adjustments
This one is pretty self-explanatory, but it’s a nice feature to have. These remotes can be as simple as an “on/off” switch, but usually have other settings such as the ability to vary the brightness, time settings, and the ability to turn the motion sensor on/off.
What Are The Negatives To Solar Powered Street Lights?
As with most things, there is always some bad that comes with the good…of course these are subjective and you may feel fairly indifferent about many of these, it really depends on what problem you’re trying to solve with a solar street light.
- Sunlight Dependent
- Cost Can Be A Deterrent
- Look Doesn’t Always Match Aesthetics
- Need To Be Mounted High (Usually)
Sunlight Dependent
Obviously, any solar lighting will require sunlight in order to function properly. Now, the thin-skin solar panel that most brands use will be highly efficient at absorbing as much solar energy as possible and converting that into light.
However, if you live somewhere…namely in the northern states or Canada…where you don’t get as much sunlight in the winter, then your solar light may run out of stored energy before the sun comes back up.
Even people that live in the south where the sun is plentiful need to be aware of where they mount their lighting so that they ensure the solar panel gets as much direct sunlight as possible throughout the day.
Cost Can Be A Deterrent
Compared to the standard street lights that cities or counties install, consumer-grade solar street lights are a steal…I mean, $3000 vs. $150-$200.
Still, an investment of a few hundred bucks can still put a dent in someone’s wallet…especially if you are buying a few lights. One thing to remember that may help ease your mind is that you’re not just purchasing a bright, LED light, but you’re also purchasing a solar panel to run it.
Look Doesn’t Always Match Aesthetics
Aesthetics are a personal thing, but there’s no denying that a streel light, solar or otherwise, is fairly plain looking. Sure, there are some fancy street lights that line nice neighborhoods or popular city streets but for the most part, when people think of a street light they image a silver or black pole with a large, yellowish overhanging light.
Now…consumer-grade solar street lights are a heck of a lot better looking than city street lights, in my opinion, but the options are still fairly limited. The thing you have to keep reminding yourself of is that a solar street light is mainly about function and less about curb appeal.
At the end of the day, you’re still purchasing a silver or black pole with an overhanging light on it. (Also, since I mentioned it here…note that most models DO NOT come with the mounting pole so one will need to be purchased if you wish to mount your light this way.)
Need To Be Mounted High
Well, not always…but usually. In order to get the full “umbrella” of light, you’ll need to mount your solar street light 13 – 20 feet above the ground. Most models will have an adjustable height pole to accommodate this.
Some people will opt to not use the included pole and mount directly to the side of their house or other structure on their property.
For instance, many people may want to mount a solar street light over their garage or over the door of an outdoor building like a barn or shed. Doing so means you’re only mounting the light about 7-10 above the ground. This is perfectly fine, but you won’t get the full light spread that you would get if mounted at higher, recommended heights. The chart above shows some popular brands and their illuminated square footage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do Solar Street Lights Last?
On average, a well-maintained solar street light can last between 5 to 7 years. However, some higher-end models can last up to 10 years or more.
There are a few key factors that determine their lifespan. These include the quality of the components used in the light, such as the solar panel, battery, and LED lights. High-quality components will generally have a longer lifespan and be less prone to malfunction or degradation over time.
Another important factor is the battery capacity. Solar street lights typically use rechargeable batteries to store energy during the day, which can then be used to power the light at night. The larger the battery capacity, the longer the light can operate without needing to be recharged.
Finally, the weather conditions in which the solar street light is installed can also impact its lifespan. Extreme temperatures, heavy rain or snow, and exposure to sunlight for extended periods can all shorten the lifespan of a solar street light. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help extend the life of the light and ensure it continues to operate efficiently.
How Do Solar Street Lights Work At Night?
Solar street lights work by using energy from the sun to charge a rechargeable battery during the day. The stored energy in the battery is then used to power the light at night.
Here’s how it works:
- Solar panels: The solar street light is equipped with photovoltaic (PV) panels that capture energy from the sun and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity.
- Battery: The DC electricity generated by the solar panel is stored in a rechargeable battery, which acts as an energy reserve for the light.
- Light-emitting diode (LED): At night, the battery provides power to the LED light, which illuminates the area.
- Control system: A control system is used to manage the solar street light’s operations, including when to turn on and off. Some solar street lights have motion sensors that detect movement and turn on automatically when someone is present.
The control system also manages the battery charging process and regulates the amount of energy used by the light, ensuring that the battery does not over-discharge.
Solar street lights are self-sufficient and do not require a connection to the electrical grid, making them ideal for remote areas or areas without access to electricity.
What Are The Benefits Of Solar Lighting?
Solar lighting has several benefits, including:
- Environmentally Friendly – They do not emit greenhouse gases and do not contribute to air or water pollution, making them a clean and renewable energy source.
- Cost-Effective – Solar lamps do not require a connection to the electrical grid, reducing installation and maintenance costs. They also have low operating costs, as they are powered by free energy from the sun.
- Reliable – Lighting that is solar powered has no moving parts, making them less prone to malfunction or breakage. They are also equipped with batteries that store energy for use at night, ensuring reliable performance even during power outages.
- Easy Installation – Solar lighting is easy to install, as they do not require electrical wiring or connections to the electrical grid. This makes them ideal for remote areas or areas with limited access to electricity.
- Low Maintenance – They require minimal maintenance, as they have no moving parts and do not require regular replacements of bulbs or batteries.
- Flexibility – Solar lights can be placed anywhere that receives sunlight, making them ideal for outdoor lighting in parks, gardens, sidewalks, and other public spaces.
- Aesthetically Pleasing – Solar lights are available in a variety of styles and designs, making them suitable for both functional and decorative lighting applications.