FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

What information do I need to have a solar lighting design completed?

1. Application - Pathways, Roadways, Area, Security, Perimeter, Sign, etc.
2. Specific light level requirements
3. City or address of the project is needed to size the solar and have knowledge of environment

Do you have something to match a 250 Watt AC light fixture?

• Wattage is a function of power consumption and not brightness.  We look at the lighting requirements and meet those requirements with needed the light output.

Will it work when it is cloudy, raining or snowing out?

• The solar lighting specialists at SEPCO analyze the project parameters and size the system in order to have the lights work through days of inclement weather.  At a minimum—the battery is sized standard for 5 days of autonomy.  Additional days of storage are designed for areas that incur more severe weather patterns or for applications where additional security and backup is preferred.  Snow build up on the solar panels is reduced by the tilt of the solar module in the design. 

Will the system work if it is shaded during some of the day?

• The lighting systems get their energy from direct sunlight.  Any amount of shading during the day affects the design of the system.  If shading is a concern, such as a tree or systems mounted on the North side of a building, please contact your solar lighting specialist to discuss special design parameters.

If the battery storage drops, do the lights dim or not burn as brightly as designed?

• The solar power is designed to operate at full intensity independent of battery storage.  Dimming only occurs if it is a predetermined function set forth and allowed through the controls for adaptive lighting. 

Does solar powered lighting have limitations within the design?

• Solar does have limitations to the design.  Solar is usually offered to provide a cost savings as well as for environmental reasons.  High wattage fixtures require a much larger solar panel that may not be able to be a self-contained unit.  Solar is not usually able to operate a light fixture cost effectively in order to meet light level requirements for banks, car lots, or large 6 lane highways.  Applications where solar is feasible are standard parking, min. security parking, perimeter areas, and two to four lane roadways. (.20 min to .50 fc min) 

How long will the lights stay on each night?

• The lights can be programmed to operate however the customer specifies.  If the operation is dusk to dawn, then the system will turn on at dusk and turn off at dawn, which may be up to 15 hours in the winter months.   

What do I have to do to maintain the complete system?

• Daily and yearly maintenance is not required on the systems.  However, the systems do need to be maintained as components reach their end of life cycle.  Each components life cycle can vary depending upon environmental conditions.  The solar panels last about 30 years, the batteries should be replaced at 5 years, the LED light fixtures can last 50,000-100,000 hours, Drivers and Electrical components vary with the design and last 5-15 years. It is important to know that the systems are designed with a 10%-30% power factor to account for dirt and snow build up.  If certain environmental conditions are experienced at the project site, it is important to tell the solar designer so that these factors can be put into the system design.

Does the light fixture need a photocell to operate?

• The short answer is no. The standard solar powered light generates power through current on the solar panel when the sun is out. As the sun sets, the current drops, which causes the system to operate the light.  Some adaptive lighting controls and custom designs may require a photocell for operating reasons.

Will solar lights work next to other grid connected lights?

• Solar lights work around ambient lighting.  However, some brighter lights may interact with the solar modules detection of dusk.  If you know in advanced that bright ambient lighting is a problem at the site, then we can put in secondary electronics to account for this. 

Can I replace an existing fixture with a solar fixture?

• If you are asking if it is a cost effective solution to stop paying the monthly electric bill and get all the needed power from the solar, you will require an in-depth analysis from one of our solar lighting specialists. Typically if there is power at the site, it is more cost feasible to install traditional grid lights; however, there are cases where solar is the more cost feasible choice.

Can I mount the solar package and fixture to an existing pole?

• The existing poles are usually designed for a specific weight and EPA loading.  The poles required for solar usually require a more substantial pole.  Solar is designed with approximately a minimum EPA of 4 Sq. ft. and up to 25 sq. ft with weights from 150 lbs to 500 lbs.