All over the world, people have become better aware of the significance of climate change and power consumption. This has led to the development and use of newer technologies. These are used to manufacture advanced devices that are healthier for the environment, less costly, and preserve energy resources.
Solar street lights are one of these devices. Instead of depleting the electrical energy, these lights use the natural heat energy of the sun to charge a battery. The battery is designed to provide enough lighting function to last the night.
Comparison of Solar Street Lights with Conventional Street Lights
Despite the introduction of solar street lights, there are still a large number of regions around the world that mostly still have the conventional lighting system installed. This older system is less efficient. It involves heavy parts like transformers, grid systems, and extensive wiring.
Installing, running, and regular maintenance of the conventional street light system is quite costly. The transformers and grid systems require heavy operational costs. When it comes to repairing and maintenance, it can take significant time and manpower to accomplish the tasks.
In terms of installation and maintenance of solar street lights, a comparatively lesser cost is needed. There are grid-tied solar street lights but the off-grid ones require no grid connection. This considerably reduces the operational costs. As compared to the extensive wiring system of traditional street lights, solar-powered ones only need minimal wiring that remains around the original pole and that too underground.
The traditional light system offers little consideration for the environment and human health. Using the older lighting systems, we are contributing to the carbon footprint. However, many people are unaware that they also cause light pollution, which is unhealthy for the human eyes. They expose light in a sideways manner unlike the no glare lighting of the solar street lamps.
It is also essential to mention that traditional street lights are unaesthetic. A lot of wiring, which is often fun above ground in many cities, destroys the image of seamless cities. Multiple city views are breathtaking as long as you don’t get to look at the wiring. They simply disrupt the beautiful skylines. In comparison, solar-powered street lights create an organized look for the city towns.
The solar street light industry also takes other factors into consideration. For example, spacing and light levels. The improved versions of traditional street lights have introduced these factors including using lights that are energy efficient. But the collective benefit of solar lights remains still higher than them.
Another benefit of the solar street lights is that these are convenient for providing lighting solutions in remote areas. Heavy infrastructure of the traditional system is impossible to carry into certain areas. Not to mention that in some areas, there are no proper light grids. Carrying and installing solar light poles is much easier in such surroundings.
The bottom line is that it is time we realize the harmful effects of older technologies still in use and switch to more efficient ones.