What is solar energy?

Solar energy is in the form of light, produced by the Sun. Solar energy is a renewable source of energy. It is free and does not damage the environment. Most electricity is made by burning fossil fuels, which realise carbon dioxide and pollution. Solar energy does not release anything into the air, so it is a clean source of energy.

Many countries around the world have switched or are switching to solar power to be more environmentally friendly. Making the change to solar power as an alternative source of energy has many benefits. It’s cheaper, more reliable and efficient, and kinder to the environment.

Many towns and cities are already using renewable energy to improve the safety of their roads and highways. Could this be why solar energy is becoming a popular option to power traffic signs? After all, it provides overall visibility, saves money whilst being more environmentally friendly.

What are the Benefits of Solar-Powered Traffic Signs?

Increased visibility

No matter where you are in the world, road safety is important and there is always room for more road safety improvements. Whatever can happen to increase the visibility of road signs is a great success. Signs like these can be placed virtually anywhere where increased visibility is needed.

Lower Maintenance

Solar traffic lights depend less on conventional energy and the national grid. For dusk-to-dawn lighting operations, solar products are totally reliable. Their off-grid nature equates to almost zero maintenance and low operational costs. Solar signs are increasingly becoming a popular alternative on work sites due to their easy installation, medium-term cost savings, and sustainability. Through the power cuts and grid disruption, these lights remain illuminated. There are no electrical cables required to support them. All you have to do is take them where they need to go, attach them to a post for stability, and safety. Is this something to consider for your site?

Improved Performance in all Weather

Whatever the weather, come rain or shine LED traffic lights still maintain good visibility and performance in rain, dust, and other harsh weather conditions.

Self-sufficient

Electricity is expensive. Laying the electrical cables necessary to produce electricity is also pretty pricey. With solar-powered signs, the expense of electricity is eliminated one hundred percent. They are completely functional on their own, with a little help from the Sun.

Here comes the sun!

Solar power is created from the Sun’s energy. As the Sun’s light hits the solar panel, it is converted into electrical energy that can then be used to sustain devices that electricity normally powers.

Thanks to the consistent nature of sunlight, LED solar-powered traffic signs rarely need to be replaced

Conclusion

The obvious advantage of using solar-powered traffic lights is they do not use fossil fuel energy. Solar is less polluting than coal, oil, or natural gas making it a more environmentally friendly source of energy. Solar powers signs wherever there is sunlight and the power is harnessed and stored in each sign’s battery so it continues to work all year long. Since they need no wiring or nearby electrical source, solar-powered LED signs are inexpensive to operate, low-maintenance, and can be placed virtually anywhere increased visibility is needed.

Advantages

• Solar traffic lights are self-sufficient as they do not require external power sources.
• They are easy to set up and operate.
• They require very little to no maintenance as they have no moving parts.
• Reduced carbon footprint
• Solar still generates power even without direct sunlight

Disadvantages

• Risk of theft is higher as equipment costs are comparatively higher.
• Snow or dust, combined with moisture can accumulate on horizontal PV panels and reduce or even stop energy production.
• Rechargeable batteries will need to be replaced several times over the lifetime of the fixtures adding to the total lifetime cost of the light. The charge and discharge cycles of the battery are important considering the overall cost of the project.