Lighting Systems

Solar Powered Lighting

Solar power lighting can be practical, and most of all, economical. There are many applications for solar lighting, ranging from floodlighting, hazard lights, sign illumination, indoor/ outdoor lighting to various city and industrial light applications.

Also, custom lighting applications can be serviced as GP Wind and Solar can help you set-up a system to meet your needs.

Solar lighting takes the direct sunlight during the day which charges a battery, and then in turn provides power for the lights during the night. Most solar lights work on a sensor or timer to control the light they emit. For example, if you have an LED flood light on the garage, it will come on only when it senses movement in its sensory range. You can then customize the time setting to allow the light to stay on for a few seconds up to a few minutes. Another effective option is to use a timer that allows you to program at what hour you want the light to come on and go off. For example, if you live in Alberta where it is dark at 6 pm in the winter months, you can have the light come on at 6 pm and go off at 11 pm after everyone is asleep. Using timers and sensors to operate your solar lighting system is highly recommended as you are able to operated you system as efficiently as possible.

Creating Your Solar Powered Lighting System

The key to building a system that is going to meet and exceed you requirements is efficiency. Incandescent, which is currently used in most applications, is the most inefficient light available.

Incandescent: not very efficient and will require more solar to run.
Halogen: these bulbs are ~ 2 times as efficient as incandescent and can operate in all temperatures.
Fluorescent: these types of bulbs are ~ 4 times more efficient than incandescent bulbs. However, in severe sub-zero temperatures these bulbs my not be able to operate.
Low Pressure Sodium: are very efficient and are good at ground lighting.
Cluster LEDs: these lights are highly efficient, high intensity, and offer extreme longevity.