Why Solar?

Why go solar with your outdoor lighting

Solar LED fixtures put light where running power is expensive, slow or impossible, with no trenching, no wiring to the grid and no electric bill for the fixture.

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The short answer

Solar lighting makes the most sense where bringing power to a light costs more than the light itself: a parking lot far from the building, a long private drive, a trail, a sign, a gate or a dock. Each fixture makes and stores its own power, so there is nothing to trench, no circuit to run and no utility bill for that light.

How solar lighting works

The panel charges by day. A solar panel on the fixture or pole turns sunlight into electricity.
The battery stores it. A rechargeable battery holds the charge for the night. Many commercial fixtures use lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries.
The controller runs the show. A charge controller protects the battery and turns the light on at dusk and off at dawn.
The LED does the work. Efficient LEDs stretch every watt. Many fixtures add motion sensors or dimming schedules so the battery lasts through the night.

Is solar right for your site?

(470) 205-4555Mon–Sat 9am–6pm ET Alpharetta, GA3480 Preston Ridge Rd, Suite 500, Alpharetta, GA 30005 Lighting design help50+ years of combined experience

Why customers choose solar

Benefits of solar lighting

No trenching or wiring. Skip digging up lawns, driveways and parking lots to run power to each pole.
No electric bill for the fixture. The light runs on sunlight, so it adds nothing to your utility bill.
Lights stay on during outages. Each fixture runs on its own battery, so a grid outage doesn’t darken your lot or entrance.
Fast to install, easy to move. Without wiring, fixtures go up quickly and can be relocated if your site changes.
Light where power isn’t. Remote entrances, trails, docks, signs and far corners of a property can be lit without running a new service.
Smart controls built in. Dusk-to-dawn operation, motion sensing and dimming schedules come standard on many fixtures.

Planning

What to check before you buy

Sun exposure. The panel needs direct sun for most of the day. Shade from trees or buildings cuts the charge.
How much light you need. A parking lot, a walkway and a flagpole need very different output. A photometric layout shows what the light will look like on the ground.
Hours of operation. All night, dusk to midnight or motion-activated? That decides the battery and panel size.
Cloudy stretches and winter. Short winter days and rainy weeks matter. Well-sized systems include reserve battery capacity for cloudy days.
Mounting. Pole height, existing poles and wind exposure all affect which fixture fits.

	Solar LED	Hardwired LED
Power	Sunlight, stored in a battery	Utility grid
Installation	No trenching or wiring to the grid	Trenching, conduit and circuits to each light
Energy bill	None for the fixture	Ongoing
Grid outages	Keeps working on battery	Goes dark unless on backup power
Best for	Remote spots, new sites, long runs, temporary lighting	Areas with power already nearby, very high output needs

FAQ

Solar lighting questions

Do solar lights work on cloudy days?

Yes. The battery stores energy for the night, and well-sized systems carry reserve capacity for cloudy stretches. Output may dim on long cloudy runs to stretch the charge, which is why sizing for your site matters.

Are solar lights bright enough for a parking lot?

Commercial solar area lights are built for parking lots, roads and entrances. A photometric layout confirms the light levels before you buy.

How long do the batteries last?

It depends on the battery type, the climate and how deeply it is cycled each night. Many commercial fixtures use replaceable lithium iron phosphate batteries. Check each fixture’s spec sheet and warranty, or ask us.

Do solar lights need maintenance?

Very little. Keep the panel clean and clear of new shade, and replace the battery when the manufacturer recommends.

Can you help me choose the right solar fixture?

Yes. Our lighting design team can look at your site, light levels and hours, and recommend fixtures. Call (470) 205-4555 or send a design request.