How Does Solar Lighting Work?

The push towards renewable energy sources is stronger than ever, given the increasing concerns about climate change. An insight from World Energy reveals that the average global solar radiation per year could produce energy equivalent to 140 m3 of natural gas, 200 kg of coal, or a barrel of oil. This suggests that with proper optimisation, solar energy has the potential to replace our current major energy sources.

How They Work

Solar LED lights, like other solar devices, operate efficiently by harnessing sunlight. These are off-grid systems and come with incorporated battery technology. Here’s a breakdown of their operation:

1. Absorption: During the day, photovoltaic cells in the lights absorb solar energy.
2. Conversion: These cells convert the absorbed solar energy into electrical energy. This happens when solar energy pushes negatively-charged electrons into positively-charged spaces within the cells.
3. Storage: The converted electrical energy (direct current) is stored in batteries.
4. Usage: At night, when sunlight is absent, photoreceptors detect the low light levels and trigger the battery to power the LED lamp.

Why Consider Them

Solar LED street lights are versatile, making them suitable for areas with limited or no access to electricity. Their portable nature combined with environmental benefits makes them a strong contender against traditional streetlights.