A 2km pathway at Port Botany opposite the freight terminal and Sydney Airport utilizes solar street lights. Street lighting represents about 20% of global lighting energy usage. The legacy streetlight system entirely relies on the grid for power, imposing a burden on the network during peak hours.
The primary electrical components of a solar streetlight are a photovoltaic (PV) panel, rechargeable battery unit, LED light head typically between 20 and 100W, solar controller, and built-in or separate LED driver.
When installing a solar street light system, certain safety guidelines must be followed to prevent accidents and injuries. Some safety guidelines you should follow include: Wear protective equipment such as gloves and safety goggles to prevent injury from sharp objects or electric shock.
On a related point, solar streetlights are more reliable than EVs as the primary energy source for charging — sunlight — can be abundantly available* and is free throughout the year. For example, a 30W light head with three nights' autonomy in Sydney will need approximately a 160W PV panel and 1.5kWh battery.
Grid-connected solar engines can feed existing streetlights during peak nighttime hours, reducing the burden on the electrical grid. In areas where accessing the electrical network is onerous, stand-alone solar exterior LED luminaires can provide an illuminated environment that enhances visual quality and public safety.
In Port Botany, Australia, within the Greater Sydney region, the NSW Port Authority wanted to upgrade existing solar lights and PV panels on 81 poles to improve light levels along a 2km stretch and increase battery autonomy. The NSW Port Authority mandated that the lighting design needed to comply with the following standards: