Solar lighting systems come in many shapes and sizes. From large scale overhead systems that operate all night and have huge solar panels and battery backups, to small scale systems that operate the light only a few hours per night, solar can fit in for most walking trail applications. Here is a quick overview of some of the systems that you will find online today and their pros and cons.

  There are many different areas that can be illuminated in any park; from entrance and directional signs, to parking lots and roadways, walking or biking trails, boat ramps, remote areas, pavilions, and general area lighting, solar is a great option to ensure illumination meets standards and provides lighting without disturbing the surrounding area like with traditional power and trenching. In a previous post, we went over why solar lighting systems are the best option for parks and recreation. This time I would like to focus on the individual systems and their uses for each section.

  There are many variations when it comes to solar powered lighting systems and it is difficult to compare them to one another. Each manufacturer has its design parameters and understanding these differences will allow you to make an educated determination if the system will meet your design needs. Here are some examples and the differences between various companies.

  One of our most popular articles is Street Light Design and I thought it was about time to offer a step by step to sign lighting design. This will give you the information on designing a perfect sign lighting solution from the beginning to end.

  With the recent trends to go green, there are more and more government and institution outdoor solar lighting installations being undertaken. How do you know if you've got everything as it should be to install your outdoor solar lighting? Reading the installation instructions is a great place to start, and we wanted to take it one step further. Here are some tips on what to consider so that your outdoor solar lighting installation goes smoothly:

  Solar parking lot lighting systems provide a great alternative to standard grid powered lighting systems since they require no trenching for installation, use zero energy, have no monthly bills, and provides a renewable source of lighting night after night. Unfortunately, there are some common mistakes people make with solar parking lot lighting systems that can easily be remedied. Let’s look at a few of them now.  

  Signs often are installed in areas where the power grid is unavailable; however, with SEPCO solar lighting solutions, we can provide the power to the sign cabinet in almost any location. The remote solar power assembly charges during the day to operate the sign cabinet lighting at night. The solar power assembly can be installed in any sunny location and is sized according to the power consumption of the LEDs inside the cabinet, the local solar insolation, and the operation profile required by the customer.

  As the solar lighting industry has evolved over the last decade or two, there has been many advances and setbacks that have happened. There are many expectations of where the industry should be and the reality of where we are. Here are some of the various expectations and their realities.  

  Over the last decade, LEDs have evolved greatly. Not only has their light output increased, but also their efficiencies and price points have changed drastically. There are so many benefits to using LED fixtures, but one of the largest is the benefits to nature and the environment. Here are some of the ways that LEDs have really stepped up to the plate to make our world a little brighter.

  Often in the solar lighting industry, we receive calls asking for a system to meet a need in an area where power is not feasible to bring out, but then months later, the customer tells you they decided to bring power out to the area. This becomes a frustrating reality because most people see the system cost, and instead should look at the overall project cost. Let me explain.