Eco Factor: Solar-powered streetlight concept.
Designed by Joel Högberg, Björn Rehammar, Viktor Karlsson and Peter Flodin, students at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, the solar-powered lamppost aims to provide a sense of security in African villages where grid electricity is still a futuristic dream. With a top-mounted solar panel and low-wattage LEDs, the designers expect the lamppost to run for 20 nights on a completely charged battery.
The solar panels on the top charge the battery during daytime and light sensors detect the fall of darkness and turn on low-watt LEDs rated at just 0.25W. These energy-saving LEDs don’t light up the surroundings but just indicates the lamp’s presence from a distance. A motion detector triggers the Power LEDs, rated at 1.5W, which remain on for 1 min when someone approaches. The lamppost then also sends a wireless signal to the adjacent posts which make them also turn on their Power LEDs. This way a faster passer-by, e.g. a bicycle rider, or a car driver, gets sufficient light ahead and a walker can feel more comfortable and safe.
Each lamppost has a ‘social’ light source that is directed towards the ground under the post. All light sources in the lamp are standard LEDs and Power-LEDs. The lamp is equipped with 1, 2 or 3 light-arms (each containing 3 Power LEDs), depending on the area of installation. The solar have an optimal angle in relation to the ground. During installation the top cover is oriented to the south so that the panels become more effective.
The concept requires no grid power supply or cabling. The LEDs last more than 100,000 hours and a fully charged battery can support light for 200 hours. Just one hour of sunlight during a winter day charges the battery with enough energy for 2 nights. The battery (12 V, 12Ah) requires no maintenance and lasts approx 4000 charging cycles, which equals more than 10 years.
Thanks: [Joel Högberg]
