Instructions for designing and choosing solar lights for rural traffic
Nowadays, solar-powered lights are becoming a new trend, widely applied in green lighting projects, urban and rural traffic lighting, as well as in areas lacking stable electricity grids.
However, to ensure high efficiency and stable operation of solar lighting systems, choosing the correct light wattage, pole height, and spacing between lights is crucial. In this article, DAT Group will guide Customers and Partners on how to select and design solar lighting systems for rural roads, ensuring compliance with lighting standards and suitability for specific installation locations.
- Assess Lighting Requirements:
Before designing and selecting solar lights, you need to reevaluate the following factors:
- Traffic Density: What is the traffic density (number of vehicles per hour) on the road?
- Types of Vehicles: What types of vehicles frequently travel on the road? Are there large-sized vehicles?
- Operating Hours: Are there activities such as morning exercises or early market gatherings? When do lights mainly need to be on?
- Required Illumination Level: Are lights used for purposes other than just movement?
Accurately identifying the usage goals will determine the subsequent steps in designing the lighting system.
- Consider Light Installation Locations:
Important considerations for installing lights include:
- Ensure that light positions receive sufficient sunlight throughout the day. For sections with perennial trees or wide, tall canopies overshadowing light positions, consider pruning trees or relocating panels and lights to more suitable spots.
- Positions on the left side may be shaded, requiring attention to tree trimming.
- Light positions should avoid collision-prone areas and areas susceptible to sinking, which may cause poles to fall.
- Selecting Pole Heights:
For rural roads, road widths typically range from 3 to 6 meters. Generally, lights are installed on one side of the road. With this layout, the pole height should be equal to or greater than the road width.
- The arm of the pole should be 1-1.5 meters long with a tilt of 10 degrees.
Example: For a 5-meter road, install lights with a pole height of 5 meters.
| Installation type | Road width | Lamp post height |
| Installation on one side | N | ≥ N |
Compliant with QCVN-07-7-2016 and TCXDVN 259-2001 standards.
4. Choosing Light Wattage:
Based on the pole height, refer to the following table for light wattage selection:
| Pole Height | Light Wattage |
| 4m | 10 – 15W |
| 5m | 10 – 20W |
| 6m | 20 – 30W |
Note: The calculations above use SOKOYO solar lights with LED chips providing up to 170lm/W luminous efficacy.
5. Calculating Light Installation Spacing:
For installations on one side, calculate the distance between poles as follows:
| Installation Type | Pole Height | Spacing |
| One Side | N | N x 3 |
Note: All calculations apply to rural roads and internal roads with traffic flow not exceeding 500 vehicles per hour. For other cases, simulation-based calculations using specialized software are necessary.
6. Operating Hours:
Determine the desired operating time of lights each day and brightness levels during those hours for optimal selection. Unlike AC lights, solar lights can adjust power according to different time frames.
| Model | Teco 20W |
| Daylight mode and operating time |
0.5 hours in the morning at 20%; 1 hour thereafter at 100%; The next 3 hours at 50% brightness; the final 7.5 hours in the morning at 20% (This mode can be adjusted via remote control.) |
| Independent operating time | 3 days (completely without sunshine) |
Default brightness modes for Teco 20W lamp
- Typically, with default configurations and settings, light operation can be guaranteed for up to 3 days without sunshine.
7. Choose high-quality solar lighting products:
Always opt for high-quality solar lighting products to ensure long-term efficiency and durability. Consider reputable brands that meet safety and performance standards.
Understanding your concerns, Sokoyo offers “Standard Quality” solar street lights, ensuring accurate and comprehensive technical specifications, including test reports for lamps and LED chips, and certifications such as CE, RoHS, IEC, ISO.
Sokoyo’s range of solar street lights includes various designs and power capacities:
- All-in-One type: NOVA 30 – 60W, COOLEX 60 – 120W
- All-in-Two type: SOLO 15W, TECO 20W, AMBO 30W, INTENSE 40 – 60W
- Split Type: LUMO 40 – 60W, CONCO 60 – 150W
These products are suitable for urban traffic lighting projects, rural roads, industrial premises, squares, parks, resort pathways, and residential villas. They utilize 100% solar energy, optimize economic efficiency, and meet construction standards.
