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Solar Street Lights

Started by MikeS1 • 23 replies • 3148 views

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MikeS1
Posts: 521
Posted:
Has anyone installed or used Commercial Solar Street lights as an alternative to running underground lines to traditional community street lights? We are looking at possibly supplementing our lighting plan in some areas in the community. There are a lot of new products out there and we were just looking for ideas. If anyone here has used or installed these, please let me know.
MarkM31 (Washington)
Posts: 556
Posted:
Haven't seen a product yet that performs well enough to work year-round as a street light with supplemental line voltage. It takes a lot of umph to be a street light.

This will undoubtably change in the future
GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491
Posted:
Mike there was a newspost here a couple of years ago about a HOA in (I think) Connecticut that changed over to solar street lights but they were a hybrid of sorts with a solar panel canted to shed snow and a small wind turbine to keep the batteries charged even at night.
Studies show that 5 out of 4 people have problems with fractions
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Mike,

I've looked into it a little bit a few years back. If I recall correctly, the cost of the initial install, and replacement batteries every x years, Reserves for replacement, etc., made it a very long time before the financial reward was materialized when compared to contracting with VA Power to install another watch light (which they maintain) and the slight increase in monthly electric bills.

Of course, we are in a town home community that would be more compact then a detached home development.

I'll see if I still have any of the research.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Do a search for parking lot solar lights and there is a fair amount of info available on the net.
MikeS1
Posts: 521
Posted:
Thanks Tim - I think that they battery technology has changed a lot in the last two years.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
However, they will still need to be replaced at some point in time.
GenoS (Florida)
Posts: 4,276
Posted:
For decades the press has eagerly publicized exciting breakthroughs in battery technology. Imminent availability of new and improved products is always right around the corner. These reports are almost always premature and overly optimistic. The fact remains that vast riches await whoever is able to come up with a true breakthrough in battery technology. Don't believe the hype.
LarryB13 (Arizona)
Posts: 4,099
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By MikeS1 on 06/24/2015 8:58 AM
Has anyone installed or used Commercial Solar Street lights as an alternative to running underground lines to traditional community street lights? We are looking at possibly supplementing our lighting plan in some areas in the community. There are a lot of new products out there and we were just looking for ideas. If anyone here has used or installed these, please let me know.

It seems like a street light would require a lot of power. That means a large solar panel and large batteries, both of which would seem to be tempting targets for theft or vandalism.

I live in Phoenix, which ought to be the solar lighting capital of the universe and I cannot recall ever seeing solar street lights.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Mike,

I looked and can't locate my research on solar powered street lights.

Sorry,

Tim
MikeS1
Posts: 521
Posted:
Thanks Tim.
ChrisK7 (Georgia)
Posts: 7
Posted:
http://www.solarstreetlightsusa.com/

This company provides exactly what you are looking for.. but again when we looked the cost was prohibative
MikeS1
Posts: 521
Posted:
Chris - Great Stuff - Exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Thread reactivated for the purpose of posting spam.
Poster was reported.
BobB31 (Florida)
Posts: 178
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By TimB4 on 06/12/2019 1:34 AM
Poster was reported.

How does one do that?
MikeS1
Posts: 521
Posted:
Tim - Everything has changed - They are now using solar street lamps from Solar Illuminations in Florida.
They work great and are priced reasonably. Beats the inordinate cost of trenching.
GenoS (Florida)
Posts: 4,276
Posted:
It's still spam. Solar power discussions are great. Shilling for a particular company is not.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By BobB31 on 06/12/2019 1:55 AM
Posted By TimB4 on 06/12/2019 1:34 AM
Poster was reported.


How does one do that?

Mouse over "HELP"
Click on "Contact HOATalk Support"
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By MikeS1 on 06/12/2019 5:29 AM
Tim - Everything has changed - They are now using solar street lamps from Solar Illuminations in Florida.
They work great and are priced reasonably. Beats the inordinate cost of trenching.

Mike,

Thanks for the update.

Hope you and yours are doing well.

Tim
BobB31 (Florida)
Posts: 178
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By TimB4 on 06/12/2019 4:10 PM
Posted By BobB31 on 06/12/2019 1:55 AM
Posted By TimB4 on 06/12/2019 1:34 AM
Poster was reported.


How does one do that?


Mouse over "HELP"
Click on "Contact HOATalk Support"

Ohhh! That was intuitive ... not!

Thanks, Tim

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