How Reliable Are Solar Street Lights in Different Weather Conditions?

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

When you’re thinking about outdoor lighting, reliability is crucial, especially when you factor in changing weather. Outdoor lighting needs to work well in the summer heat, the winter cold, and during unexpected storms. So, how reliable are solar street lights when the weather changes? 

Solar street lights have made significant progress. They offer solutions that are eco-friendly and strong enough to handle different weather conditions across the United States. In this article, we’ll explore how solar street lights perform in various climates, from the heat of Arizona, the wide swings from sweltering heat to freezing cold in Texas to the cold winters of New York, and how they keep communities well-lit, no matter the weather. 

Understanding Solar Street Light Technology

How Solar Lights Work 

Solar street lights use sunlight to charge batteries during the day. These batteries then power the lights at night. The photovoltaic panels convert sunlight into electricity. This energy is stored in the batteries, which power LED lights after dark. The technology behind these lights ensures they work efficiently, even when the weather isn’t ideal. 

At Fonroche Lighting America, our solar street lights are designed with advanced technology that includes smart energy management systems. First, we use advanced software to analyze 10 years of solar data for each project location. This helps us accurately size the capacity of your system and guarantee 365 nights of light, ensuring reliable illumination all year round. In the field, during extended periods of severe weather that are outside of the historical norms, the smart management systems allow the lights to adjust their brightness or power usage based on the energy stored, ensuring the lights stay on during the toughest conditions. 

RELATED: Read More about How Solar Lighting Works. 

Performance in Different Weather Conditions Across the USA 

Sunny and Hot Climates

In areas like Arizona, Texas and California, which are known for their sunny climates, solar street lights have plenty of sun to perform at their best. The abundant sunlight allows these lights to charge quickly during the day, ensuring they have plenty of power to stay lit throughout the night. However, lots of sun often means lots of heat. These systems must be built to handle hot temperatures. In Arizona, where summers can be scorching, solar street lights designed with weatherized components, proper ventilation, and a battery specifically designed for extreme temperatures will deliver top performance and long life. 

In more variable climates, like California and Texas,  we also see plenty of sunshine for solar street light power and efficiency. The key is that these lights need to endure both the heatwaves and the below freezing temperatures too, ensuring a long lifespan even in extreme temperature fluctuations. 

Cloudy and Rainy Days

Winter poses a different challenge, especially in areas like New York, where heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures are common. Solar street lights in these regions need to be  built to withstand the cold. Most battery chemistries do not perform well in sub-zero conditions, they either lose a lot of capacity and/or develop damage when forced to charge in freezing temperatures.  Industrial NiMH formulations are the exception, delivering long life in conditions as cold as –40F.  Additionally, the design of the panels helps prevent snow from accumulating and blocking sunlight. 

In New York, where winters can be harsh and daylight hours are shorter, solar street lights are equipped with batteries specifically designed to operate efficiently even in freezing temperatures. This ensures that the lights remain reliable and continue to provide much-needed illumination throughout the winter months. Wintry weather can be challenging, but with proper orientation and tilt, the comparatively warm glass panel will slough off snow and ice quickly. Solar street lights can continue to function effectively, making them a reliable choice for northern climates. 

Extreme Weather Events

In the face of extreme weather events, such as storms or hurricanes, solar street lights offer a significant advantage over traditional grid-dependent lighting. Since they are not connected to the power grid, they are less likely to experience power outages from events like storms. The robust design of solar street lights helps them withstand high winds and heavy rains, ensuring they continue to provide light when it’s most needed. This makes them a crucial component in maintaining safety and security during emergencies, whether in the storm-prone areas of Miami or the blizzard conditions of New York. 

Across the United States, extreme weather events are becoming more common, making the reliability of solar street lights even more critical. These lights are designed to be resilient, with features that allow them to withstand the toughest conditions.  Since each light operates autonomously, area wide outages in anticipation of emergencies and single point failures like transformer damage will not affect your solar street lights. By choosing solar street lights, communities can ensure that their streets remain illuminated, providing safety and security when it’s needed most. 

Real-World Applications and Success Stories 

City of Tucson, AZ

In the Pueblo Gardens neighborhood of Tucson, AZ, solar street lights were installed to enhance safety, reduce energy costs, and improve the quality of life for residents. The area, known for its hot summers and occasional storms, benefited greatly from these reliable lights, which significantly improved nighttime visibility and public safety. Jesse Soto, Senior Manager of the City of Tucson Department of Transportation Mobility, praised Fonroche’s support, stating, “They’ve been there, they continue to work with us, and, to me, that speaks volumes.”

These solar street lights not only provided dependable illumination but also enabled the city to allocate more resources to other vital infrastructure projects. By choosing solar lighting, Tucson demonstrated the broader benefits of sustainable and secure street lighting solutions.

City of Syracuse, New York and Onondaga County, New York

In Syracuse and Onondaga County, NY, the introduction of solar lighting for cold climates has been transformative, as it’s an area that experiences harsh winters. These lights have proven to be reliable despite the heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures typical of the region. Street Lighting Manager Ken Towsley emphasized the significant savings on installation, noting that the lack of major infrastructure work, such as trenching and power grid involvement, has allowed the city to light more parks and streets.

In 2021, the city installed 60 solar lighting systems at Onondaga Lake Park, with their success leading to further deployments across other parks and streets. Despite Syracuse’s northern location, Towsley remains confident in the reliability of these lights, having witnessed their effective performance in both Onondaga Lake Park and similar installations in Montreal. These solar street lights provide consistent illumination and reduce the city’s reliance on traditional, more costly lighting, enhancing public safety and freeing up resources for other critical infrastructure projects.

Why Choose Fonroche Lighting America for Reliable Solar Street Lighting 

At Fonroche Lighting America, we understand how vital reliable lighting is, no matter the weather. That’s why our solar street lights are rigorously tested in state of the art climate chambers to ensure they can handle everything from intense heat to freezing cold. We use advanced software to analyze long-term solar data specific to your location. This analysis ensures our lights are tailored to perform optimally, guaranteeing 365 nights of light each year. Our technology and durable materials mean you can trust our lights to perform consistently, no matter where they’re installed or what the weather throws at them. 

Our commitment to quality ensures that every solar street light we produce meets the highest standards. Whether you’re dealing with the searing heat of a Texas summer, the relentless rain of Miami, or the freezing winters of New York, our lights are built to last. We work closely with communities across the country to provide tailored solutions that meet their unique needs, ensuring that every street, pathway, and public space remains safely illuminated. 

Conclusion 
Solar street lights are built to provide reliable lighting in all weather conditions, making them an excellent choice for communities and businesses alike. Whether it’s sunny in Texas, rainy in Miami, snowy in New York, or stormy anywhere in the country, these lights are designed to keep shining, ensuring safety and security for everyone. 

Interested in reliable solar street lighting that performs in any weather? Contact Fonroche Lighting America today to learn more about our solutions.