The solar-powered street light is generally a light fixture that uses solar panels or rechargeable batteries to produce power. This power can be stored for later use or transferred to an inverter and fed into the grid for the generation of  electricity. It also allows for night-time illumination via incandescent bulbs during low daylight hours when the city’s supply is insufficient.
This type of solar powered street light primarily comes from technology and shapes how it has evolved. Some technologies like metal halide have been more popular than the more traditional standard lamps, which have gained popularity over metal halide in recent decades due to energy efficiency and reliability concerns.
Working Principle:
The Operating Principle of a Solar Street Light is straightforward. Solar cells that use photovoltaic technology convert the energy radiated by the sun into electrical power.
- This conversion is accomplished by using the semiconductor material included inside the gadget.
- This energy conversion process is referred to as the “Photovoltaic effect” in most circles.
- It is also referred to as solar cells or “photovoltaic cells” in certain circles.
- During the day, photovoltaic solar cells, made of the natural effect of solar panels, are used to generate electricity.
- The electrical energy that has been received and stored in batteries.
- Charge and discharge controllers are often used to prevent the battery from overcharging.
Components of solar-powered street light:
Silicon Carbide solar cells are the most popular technology at the moment. Photovoltaic solar cells are produced in modules of different sizes and voltages. Charge and discharge controllers to handle overcharging and undercharging of the batteries. Batteries store the energy generated by the panels. Convert direct current (DC) power into alternating current (AC) power to supply lighting loads.
Solar panels consist of several cells that convert sunlight into electricity which can be stored in battery banks for later consumption. Photovoltaic systems are not compatible with conventional electricity grids since their output is direct current, not alternating current.
The advantage and disadvantages of solar-powered street lights
Advantages:
There are several advantages that the Solar Power Street Light have. It can be used during night-time, and therefore, it looks attractive at night or even after sunset. Another advantage is that it is easy to maintain. One can easily replace the damaged panels of the solar power street light if there is any damage because they are straightforward to install and make no noise.
Disadvantages:
Many people mention the economic disadvantage of the solar-powered street light as a reason for not choosing it as an energy source. It is also expensive to install in a new area or change existing lamps. The environmental aspect gives a similar answer. The solar power street lights are not environmentally friendly and can lead to pollution (CO2 emission).
Conclusion:
Solar-powered street light is one of the latest innovations in energy, and it serves lighting purposes in most urban areas. The main advantage of this is that it saves money on the electricity bill, but its disadvantage is that it pollutes the environment because it doesn’t have a proper replacement when its parts break off.
