What are the Solar Street Light Pole Types?

The efficacy of modern LED street lights, combined with advances in battery storage technologies, has led to the introduction of solar street lights. These are expensive and primarily work without constant supervision. Ensuring these lights are securely mounted on a solar street light pole is vital. It is a matter of public safety, which makes it essential for their design to be durable and long-lasting.  

Many standards and regulations guide the design of solar street light poles. Although these poles have unique sizes, shapes, materials, installation methods, and mounting methods, they are not entirely different from regular street light poles. This blog will explore all the various specifications and purposes of street light poles. Later, we will discuss the standards that ensure that the quality of solar street light poles matches the criteria set by regulators and governments.

Types of Solar Street Light Poles by Design

The variation in the design of street light poles can be aesthetic and different depending on their application. Lighting up a street for pedestrians and illuminating highways can't be the same. Let's explore all the other solar street light pole designs:

● Single-Arm Solar Street Light Pole

The most popular and common solar street light pole design is the one with the main shaft connecting all the components. This design has only one arm extending outward to support a single LED lighting fixture. It is excellent for one-way streets, walkways, and parking.

● Double-Arm Solar Street Light Pole

As the name suggests, the shaft of a double-arm solar street light pole features two arms extending on opposite ends 180 ° apart. The solar panel sits on top of the shaft at an angle favorable for maximum sunlight. These poles might have aesthetic elements that add character to their design. They could also have an enclosure mounted on the shaft to hold batteries. These poles are essential on two-way streets and highways.

● Conical Solar Street Light Pole

The word conical refers to the upside-down cone-like structure of the shaft. The shaft has a larger diameter at the base near the ground and a smaller at the top of the pole. The whole shaft has a tapered angle, which makes these poles great for cost savings while still providing the essential strength to hold the components of a solar street light. A conical solar street light pole can also be single-arm or double-arm.

● Octagonal Solar Street Light Pole

Octagonal solar street light poles outperform others in strength and durability in high-wind conditions, particularly in coastal cities. Their eight-sided cross-section provides a more significant base connection. The design also improves the material's mechanical strength, making it ultra-resistant to bending. Octagonal poles are great for strength, while conical poles are preferable for aesthetics.

● High-Mast Solar Street Light Pole

The shaft that runs from the base to the top is also called a mast. Any pole that is higher than 50 feet is called a high-mast solar street light pole. These poles are usually installed where widespread light illumination is required, such as highways, large parking lots, industrial areas, or stadiums. High-intensity LED solar streetlights are typically mounted on top of these poles. The high-mast poles have larger diameters and thicknesses for stability.

● Decorative Solar Street Light Pole

Modern lighting system designs based on austerity principles make objects appear unenergetic through their functional approach. In comparison, decorative solar street light poles contain detailed craftsmanship due to their intricate designs. Modern green technologies are embedded in their design with traditional appearance. It includes panel units and storage batteries that remain hidden inside the poles' protective housings. These fixtures serve well for illumination needs in parks and gardens, along with historical sites, walkways, and parks.

● Smart Solar Street Light Pole

The latest technological advancements in solar street light poles incorporate IoT, sensors, and communication devices. These light poles may even use AI to adapt to changing conditions, whether seasonal or traffic-based. It can learn patterns of traffic, lighting, wind, and solar flux. Without the need for manual programming, these solar street light poles adjust themselves based on the surroundings and have elements such as solar panels mounted on the poles and batteries such as the LiFePO4 that are high in energy density.

● Foldable/Adjustable Solar Street Light Pole

Foldable/adjustable solar street light poles are great for temporary setups or scenarios that require flexibility. They are easy to set up with solar panels, a lighting module, and a modular support mast. These poles are not meant to be robust or the most reliable lighting options. However, they provide greater portability and adjustability.

Types of Solar Street Light Poles by Material

Having a setup that can go across states and places with minimal to low population, the lighting infrastructure needs to be robust. The material selection process should be extensive and intricate when producing a solar street light pole. There are options in metals, chemicals, and natural materials. Here are some of the most common materials in solar street light poles:

● Galvanized Steel Poles

These poles are made of carbon steel. However, carbon steel in itself is incapable of resistance against corrosion. These poles can be conical or octagonal in cross-section but are coated with Zinc as a sacrificial material. The process of coating zinc to protect carbon steel is called galvanization. These are the most popular solar street light poles for durability and cost-effectiveness.

● Aluminum Poles

Aluminum is the lightest and most corrosion-resistant material for pole production. It has a density of 0.0975 lb/in³, making it easier for transport and handling. A typical aluminum pole has a lifetime of 50 years, mainly due to the oxide layer that forms on the aluminum, which protects the material. The corrosion-resistive properties make them ideal for coastal and humid regions.

● Concrete Poles

Combining cement, water, and material like sand, gravel, or stones forms concrete. It is one of the traditional methods of creating a pole. These are slowly becoming obsolete due to their lower life and brittle nature. However, these concrete poles provide unique aesthetics where a vintage look or strength is not the primary characteristic requirement. They are usually reinforced with metal frames to enhance their strength.

● Fiberglass Poles

The latest technology in producing solar street light poles is fiberglass poles. They are suitable for standard height poles that do not have massive strength requirements. It is very lightweight in comparison to carbon steel and aluminum. A typical fiberglass pole has a material density of 0.081lb/in³. Installers may refer to fiberglass poles as fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP). 

● Wooden Poles

In the mid-19th century, wooden poles supported telegraph lines. Over time, organizations such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) developed standards to ensure consistent wooden poles nationwide. Southern Yellow Pine, Douglas Fir, and Western Red Cedar are some species suitable for forming wooden solar street light poles. These trees are lightweight and provide a good strength-to-weight ratio. 

Types of Solar Street Light Poles by Height

Creating adequate lighting conditions for solar street light poles depends on their height. Changing the height will directly affect the choice of solar LED module, its power, and its illumination capacity. Typically, solar street light poles are categorized into three heights:

• Standard Height Poles (20-30 feet)
• Tall Poles (30-50 feet)
• High-Mast Poles (50+ feet)

Types of Solar Street Light Poles by Installation Type

Solar street light poles can be installed using varying techniques based on terrain and site requirements. There are three types:

● Embedded (Direct Burial) Poles

Direct burial was the first method used for street light poles. It is easy and does not require complex foundation work. However, it is also the least durable for solar street light pole applications. Soil condition studies are vital for this kind of installation method.

● Anchor-Based (Flange Mounted) Poles

After the formation of a solid foundation, which is usually reinforced concrete. An anchor-based plate which is set into the concrete. The solar street light pole has a flange with holes for passing bolts connecting the pole flange with the base plate. It is the most superior and durable solar street light pole installation method. The installers can also adjust the angle of the pole with these bolt adjustments.

 ● Hinged (Foldable) Poles

It is similar to the anchor-based installation method. Still, the foundation plate and pole flange are hinged to allow tilting of the street light poles—the tilting facilities in maintenance activities. However, higher costs make them mainly suitable for standard height poles.

Mounting Methods on Solar Street Light Poles

There are various methods for installing solar panels on solar street light poles. The process depends on the selection of the LED lighting module. The mounting techniques will change if a separate solar panel and battery are required. So, an integrated solar street light module will require fewer installation features. Here are the mounting techniques for solar street light poles:

• Top-Mounted Solar Panel: These are the most common types of solar panels, with the photovoltaic cells on top of the street light pole.

• Side-Mounted Solar Panel: The solar panel is fastened to the side of the mast, facing the sun's rays.

• Separate Pole-Mounted Solar Panel (Standalone System): This solar panel is mounted separately from the lighting pole as a standalone system, providing power to the LED solar street light poles.

• Integrated Solar Panel Mounting (All-in-One Design): These are modern and sleek solar panel mounts. These are integrated into the LED lighting module without the need for any additional mounting or installation costs.

• Dual-Panel Mounting System: If a street lighting pole supports street lights, batteries, and smart street light LED displays, the devices will require additional power. More than one solar panel may be needed to support all the electronics. The solar panel can be on top and side or separately on either side.

Standards for Solar Street Light Poles

As mentioned earlier, the solar street light poles must follow standards. Local rules and regulations in your area may vary. However, following standards will result in a component requiring the least changes to comply with local area requirements. Here are the standard codes that are applicable across most countries and regions:

• ASTM C1089-19: Standard Specification for Spun Cast Prestressed Concrete Poles
• ANSI C136 Series: Roadway and Area Lighting Equipment Standards
• ASTM A123: Standard Specification for Zinc (Hot-Dip Galvanized) Coatings on Iron and Steel Products
• AASHTO Standards

Summary: Types of Solar Street Light Poles

As the world embraces green technology, solar street light poles are becoming popular for urban and rural applications, especially on roadways with good sunlight and no light obstructions. For walkways, decorative solar street light poles are a great choice as they require low-light conditions. The most modern type is the conical/octagonal galvanized steel integrated solar panel street light poles. However, they need a light fixture with integrated technologies and advanced control and monitoring.

If you are looking for a cost-effective, durable, and long-lasting solution, consider CHz Lighting solar lighting solutions. They offer modular and integrated solar panels, LED chips, drivers, IoT devices, and regulators that comply with extraordinary IP, IK, CE, and ROHS standards. Visit their website to find the product you like!