All off-grid solar street lights are based on the same principle. To summarize it shortly: During daytime, sunlight is converted into electric energy by photovoltaic technology – better known as solar panels. This energy is stored in a in-ground battery, which is efficiently used by the LED-luminaire to illuminate overnight. The system is regulated with sensors in combination with electronics and software.

High efficient solar panels are integrated in the rectangular column on four sides. The in-glass laminated solar cells are selected on their high efficiency and high quality. As the irradiation on the four sides differs significantly, we chose to apply Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) on four separate sides. With this technology, the power extraction is maximized under all conditions. Besides the irradiation, the temperature influences the energy production process. Solar cells tend to have a complex relation between temperature and total resistance (the so-called I-V-curve). The control unit monitors this information in order to regulate for the best power output.

Rechargeable batteries all have the same issues: the influence of the environmental temperature is is destructive for the lifetime expectancy. The sensors near the battery monitors the operation temperature frequently, so the control unit can adapt the charging strategy upon. To maintain the most stable environmental temperature, the battery is positioned in-ground instead of in the column. The complementary foundation to be dug in-ground and contains a compartment for the battery. This multifunctional battery box is solid and designed to function as a foundation as well. Also very crucial for the battery’s lifetime expectancy is the depth of discharge (DoD). Our low maintenance valve regulated lead-acid (VRLA) -battery technology is optimized for over 2.500 cycles lifetime expectancy on a DoD of 30%.

As mentioned before, the control unit monitors and regulates the solar energy production, but  it also regulates the charging process and activates the luminaire on the correct moment. All information is collected. This data is standard accessible via a secure platform to be connected with the control unit by Bluetooth via any mobile device.

During the unsuccessful search for high-efficient DC-luminaires, we decided to co-develop our own product range. With the best qualified lighting  experts, we designed a range of high-efficient luminaires (in several  cases a verified 150 lumen per watt). Saving energy in the use of the energy by the luminaire is the most economic optimisation possibly made. The more efficient the luminaire, the less energy to be stored and produced. And of course - as counting for the whole product line, in no way we compromised in the looks of the design.  

Interested in more information about the technology? Ask for our brochure of the columns or challenge us with your specific technological questions by contacting us.