1 |
LED Lamps |
DC lamps, not available easily |
AC Lamps, easily available in the market
|
2 |
Battery and Solar Panels |
Individual, dedicated for each light |
Common battery bank and solar panels as shared resource for all lights
|
3 |
Solar Inverter |
Not required, only charge controller required |
Required with charge controller for converting DC power to AC
|
4 |
Cabling |
DC cabling only within pole. No cabling between poles necessary. Total cable cost comparatively less |
AC cabling within pole and also between poles. DC Cabling only at central plant
|
5 |
Electricity Board Power |
Not usable, since DC |
Usable through Solar Inverter placed at the central location
|
6 |
For rainy season |
High battery backup required |
Normal battery backup due to availability of utility power
|
7 |
Effect of shadow from trees and other tall structures |
Each pole must have shadow free top. May be difficult in many places. Even trees may grow later to block the sun light |
The solar panels can be installed centrally at a carefully selected shadow free location. Poles can be anywhere as per requirement and convenience
|
8 |
Maintenance |
Higher due to batteries and panels at multiple locations |
Easy due to centralized power supply system
|
9 |
Total Cost |
Normally higher |
Normally lower, Considerably lower for high total wattage
|
10 |
Suitable for
|
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Remote areas with high distance between poles
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Locations without electricity
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Sites where cabling between poles is difficult
-
Number of street lights or total power requirement is less
-
Areas with no problem of shading due to trees / high rises
|
-
Higher total power requirement
-
Cabling between poles is easy or existing
-
Higher autonomy during rainy days due to availability of / battery charging by utility power
-
Usage of power for other purposes also
-
Conversion of street lights from existing utility power to solar power
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