Highway & Road Solar Street Light Installation: Specs, Poles, and Best Practices for SA Contractors

When bidding for road infrastructure tenders in South Africa, EPC contractors and builders face two major local realities: severe load shedding leaving highways in the dark, and rampant cable theft that renders traditional grid-tied lighting useless.

(Professional DIALux 3D layout simulation ensures tender compliance for highway projects)

Finding a reliable solar street light for road project is the ultimate solution. However, winning a municipal or SANRAL (South African National Roads Agency) tender isn't just about offering the brightest light—it’s about tender technical compliance and seamless site execution.

In this comprehensive guide, we break down the international lighting standards (EN 13201), debunk electrical myths like whether solar street lights need earthing, and explain why partnering with a one-stop solution provider saves you major installation headaches.

1. Designing to EN 13201-2:2015 Standards: Road Classification & Pole Specs

When bidding for high-end South African municipal or SANRAL projects, rule-of-thumb estimates are not enough. The tender committee requires the lighting design to strictly comply with international standards such as EN 13201-2:2015 (Road lighting - Performance requirements).

EN 13201 is a performance-based standard. It does not dictate what pole height or wattage you must buy; instead, it specifies the exact photometric results (Luminance, Illuminance, Uniformity, and Glare) that must be achieved on the road surface based on traffic speed and volume.

Here is a breakdown of the three main road classes you will encounter in tenders, and the industry best-practice pole specs our engineers recommend to guarantee compliance with these standards:

A. Highway / Main Arterial Roads (EN 13201: M-Class)

For high-speed motorized traffic, the standard focuses on high road surface luminance (Lav) and strict disability glare control (Threshold Increment - TI).

EN 13201-2 performance requirements table for M-Class highway solar street light for road projects

(Above: EN 13201-2 target metrics for M-Class roads)

To achieve these high-speed metrics, we recommend:

  • Pole Height: 8m – 12m
  • LED Power: 80W – 150W (High-lumen output)
  • Pole Spacing: 30m – 40m
  • Beam Angle Optic: Type II / Type III (Designed for wider forward throw)

B. Municipal Urban Roads (EN 13201: C-Class & P-Class)

For low-speed urban roads, conflict areas, and walkways, the standard shifts focus to horizontal illuminance (Eav) and semi-cylindrical illuminance to ensure pedestrians can recognize faces from a safe distance.

EN 13201-2 photometric requirements table for P-Class pedestrian and urban solar led street light installations

(Above: EN 13201-2 target metrics for P-Class pedestrian & low-speed areas)

To achieve these urban metrics, we recommend:

  • Pole Height: 6m – 8m
  • LED Power: 60W – 100W
  • Pole Spacing: 25m – 30m
  • Beam Angle Optic: Type II / Type III

C. Rural Roads / Village Roads (Lower P-Class)

For remote township projects or off-grid village roads where safety and basic visibility are the primary concerns (falling under lower P5-P6 classes), a cost-effective yet reliable configuration is required.

  • Pole Height: 5m – 6m
  • LED Power: 40W – 60W
  • Pole Spacing: 20m – 25m
  • Beam Angle Optic: Type II / Type V (Depending on road width)

💡 The Engineering Rule of Spacing (Backed by CIE 115 & IESNA RP-8)

To consistently hit the overall uniformity (Uo) targets shown in the tables above without creating dark spots, optical designs must align with global roadway lighting guidelines, including CIE 115 (International Commission on Illumination) and IESNA RP-8.

Based on the photometric geometry required by these standards, the industry's best-practice rule for modern batwing lenses is to set your Pole Spacing ≈ 3 to 4 times the Pole Height. For example, an 8-meter pole typically requires 24m to 32m spacing depending on the optic lens used.

2. Proving Compliance: Why DIALux Simulation Wins Tenders

DIALux roadway lighting simulation report proving EN 13201 compliance for solar street light with pole system

Municipal consultants do not want verbal promises; they want mathematical proof. This is why we provide comprehensive DIALux simulation reports for our EPC partners. As shown in the simulation above, our optical design proves to the tender committee that your bid achieves the exact Average Luminance (Lav) and Overall Uniformity (Uo) required by EN 13201, ensuring you pass the technical evaluation with ease.

3. Avoiding the Mix-and-Match Trap: The One-Stop Solution

Once the design is approved, site execution begins. One of the biggest headaches for SA contractors is sourcing the light fixture from Supplier A, the bracket from Supplier B, and hiring a local steelworks to make the pole. This often leads to mismatched spigot sizes, weak structural integrity, and delayed handovers.

We solve this by offering a complete solar street light with pole system, engineered specifically for municipal-grade durability:

  • Municipal-Grade Waterproofing: Summer thunderstorms and coastal humidity are brutal. Our solar led street light fixtures feature true IP65/IP66+ waterproof ratings, ensuring the battery and controller remain absolutely dry.
  • Aerodynamic & Wind-Resistant Poles: For coastal areas like Cape Town or Gqeberha, our hot-dip galvanized poles and precision brackets are engineered to withstand 35–45m/s gale-force winds, providing the optimal tilt angle for maximum solar charging.
  • Pre-Drilled & Matched: All components are factory-matched to fit perfectly on-site, drastically reducing your labor hours.

4. Best Practices: How to Install Solar Street Light

Proper installation ensures the longevity of the system. Here is a streamlined guide on how to install solar street light systems efficiently for highway projects:

  1. Step 1: Foundation Pouring. Excavate the hole (typically 1/6th of the pole length). Place the anchor bolt cage (J-bolts) and PVC conduit (for the earthing wire) before pouring the concrete. Ensure it cures completely.
  2. Step 2: Ground Assembly. Never attempt to assemble the fixtures at the top of a standing pole! Lay the pole horizontally on the ground to attach the bracket, solar panel, and light fixture.
  3. Step 3: Plug-and-Play Wiring. Connect the aviation cables between the solar panel and the light. Our systems feature waterproof connectors—push them together until you hear a "click," and the seal is secured.
  4. Step 4: Hoisting. Use a crane to lift the fully assembled structure. Align the base plate with the anchor bolts, tighten the nuts, and level the pole.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Does solar street light need earthing?

Typical pole earthing detail CAD drawing for solar street light lightning protection

(Above: Standard CAD drawing for metal pole earthing)

Yes, the metal pole must be earthed. While solar lighting operates on a low-voltage DC system (eliminating the risk of fatal electric shock), earthing is strictly required for lightning protection.

South Africa experiences high lightning strike density. If a metal light pole is not properly earthed, a nearby lightning strike will send a massive surge directly into the equipment, instantly frying the MPPT controller and lithium battery. Proper earthing protects your asset and prevents high maintenance costs.

Q2: How to set solar street light with remote for batch programming?

When installing 100+ lights, manually climbing each pole is inefficient. Using our remote control, you can:

  • Program your desired dimming profile (e.g., 100% brightness for the first 4 hours, 50% till dawn) into the remote.
  • Press the "Send" or "Copy" button.
  • Walk or drive slowly along the installation site, point the remote at the sensor of each light, and press the trigger.

You can program an entire kilometer of highway lighting in minutes, ensuring uniform performance while massively saving on labor costs.

Win Your Next SA Road Tender with Compliant Solar Lighting

Stop risking project handovers with mismatched parts and non-compliant specs. Partner with us for complete EN 13201 compliant solar street light with pole solutions, DIALux simulation reports, and municipal-grade engineering support.

Contact Us for a Custom System Design

4 Fixes easy to Solving Your Solar Powered Street Lights Stops Working

Introduction

Why do Solar Powered Street Lights suddenly stop working? With the increasing popularity of Solar LED street lights, cities and rural areas have benefited from environmentally friendly and energy-efficient lighting solutions. However, many users may encounter situations where street lights unexpectedly go dark. This not only affects illumination but can also lead to unnecessary inconvenience. As a manufacturer with 15 years of experience, I will outline some common causes of these issues and how to efficiently troubleshoot them.

Why is Choosing High-Quality Solar Powered Street Lights Crucial?

High-quality products provide long-term stable lighting for both urban and rural areas, significantly reducing maintenance and replacement frequency while ensuring reliable operation in extreme weather. However, even premium products require regular maintenance and troubleshooting. When solar street lights suddenly stop working, how can we address this easily? This article will detail common faults and help you quickly resolve the issue of solar street lights not functioning.

solar powered street lights
solar powered street lights

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Why is Choosing High-Quality solar powered street lights Important?
  3. Common Reasons for solar powered street lights Not Working
    • 3.1 Battery Issues
    • 3.2 Photovoltaic Panels Not Charging
    • 3.3 Controller Malfunction
    • 3.4 LED Chip Damage
  4. How to Quickly Resolve Lighting Issues with Simple Checks
    • 4.1 Check Battery Charge
    • 4.2 Clean the Surface of the Photovoltaic Panel
    • 4.3 Check Controller Operation
  5. Preventative Measures: How to Extend the Lifespan of Solar Street Lights
    • 5.1 Regular Cleaning and Maintenance of Photovoltaic Panels
    • 5.2 Check and Maintain Batteries and Controllers
  6. Conclusion: Tips for Ensuring Long-Term Operation of solar powered street lights

1. Common Reasons for solar powered street lights Not Working

When solar powered street lights suddenly stop functioning, the first step is to identify the cause of the malfunction:

  1. Insufficient Light: Prolonged periods of inadequate sunlight may cause the lights to deplete their power and enter a protective state. If recent weather conditions have been poor, waiting to see if light levels improve may be necessary.
  2. Internal Component Failure: If the lights are indeed malfunctioning, the issue may involve key components:
    • 2.1 Battery Issues: If the battery cannot store sufficient power or has aged, the street lights will not operate continuously. Batteries are the most scrutinized and easily faulty components in solar street lights. There are new and second-hand batteries available, and many manufacturers use second-hand batteries to attract customers with lower prices. We use new lithium iron phosphate and ternary lithium batteries with a cycle life of over 3000 times; renowned electric vehicle brands like BYD and Tesla also utilize lithium batteries, which are the most stable on the market.
    • 2.2 Solar Panels Not Charging: If the surface of the photovoltaic panels is covered with dust or debris or is damaged, they cannot effectively absorb solar energy, preventing battery charging.
    • 2.3 Controller : As the “brain” of the street light system, a controller failure will affect the operation of the entire system, causing the lights to fail. A good controller not only increases energy efficiency but also minimizes faults; we currently use the world-renowned SRNE MPPT controller.
    • 2.4 LED Chip Damage: Although rare, damage to high-quality LED chips can significantly reduce lifespan. We use high-quality Philips chips that not only have high luminous efficiency but also offer better heat dissipation than other brands.

Understanding these common issues can help users quickly identify the source of the problem and restore normal lighting.

Solar led Street Lights Production process

2. How to Quickly Resolve Lighting Issues with Simple Checks

When solar powered street lights suddenly stop working, users can follow these simple steps to quickly troubleshoot the problem:

  1. Check Battery Charge: If the battery has aged or cannot charge due to prolonged use, consider replacing it or performing a deep discharge. It’s advisable to remove the battery and test its voltage to assess its condition.
    For detailed procedures, please contact your sales representative to avoid unauthorized handling; it’s best to have a qualified electrician perform this under the manufacturer’s guidance.
  2. Clean the Surface of the Photovoltaic Panel: Ensure the surface of the photovoltaic panel is free of obstructions such as dust, leaves, or bird droppings to enhance solar energy absorption.
  3. Check Controller Operation: Look for any abnormal signals on the controller’s indicator lights or display. Restarting or replacing the controller may be necessary. If these steps do not resolve the issue, further check for LED chip damage and decide whether to repair or replace it based on the findings. Most solar street light faults can be resolved through these straightforward steps.

3. Preventative Measures: How to Extend the Lifespan of solar powered street lights

To effectively extend the lifespan of solar street lights, regular inspections and maintenance are crucial:

  • Regularly Clean the Photovoltaic Panels: Ensure their surfaces are free of dust or obstructions to maximize light absorption efficiency.
  • Monitor Battery Health: Regularly check the charging and discharging conditions of the battery and promptly replace aging or damaged units.
  • Monitor Controller Functionality: Ensure the controller is operating normally to prevent system failures.
  • Inspect LED Chips and Other Connections: Address any issues promptly through repairs or replacements.

Implementing these preventative measures not only reduces the frequency of faults but also enhances the overall performance and longevity of solar street lights.

4. Conclusion: Tips for Ensuring Long-Term Operation of Solar Street Lights

To ensure the long-term operation of solar street lights, users need to develop a maintenance mindset and troubleshooting skills. Choosing high-quality solar street lights is the first step, while regular checks and maintenance are key. Keeping photovoltaic panels clean, monitoring battery conditions, and addressing issues promptly can significantly reduce instances of lights unexpectedly going out. Additionally, collaborating with quality suppliers can lower the likelihood of faults occurring.

Leyond Lighting has consistently been a leader in the solar lighting industry for over 15 years, ranking among the top three solar street light manufacturers in China. Our products are exported to over 60 countries, and we have successfully completed more than 1,000 projects, achieving notable results in collaboration with government entities. Some of our successful projects include partnerships with the government of Bangladesh, the Dubai royal family, and governments in the Dominican Republic, Chile, and Kenya, showcasing our commitment to excellence.


pls kindly check more details in our website or You can also reach out to us by sending an inquiry, and our dedicated team will be happy to provide you with personalized information and assist you with any questions

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