Solar street lights are raised light sources which are powered by photovoltaic panels generally mounted on the lighting structure. The photovoltaic panels charge a rechargeable battery, which powers a fluorescent or LED lamp during the night.
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Most solar panels turn on and turn off automatically by sensing outdoor light using a light source.[1] Solar streetlights are designed to work throughout the night. Many can stay lit for more than just one night not if sun in not available for a couple of days. Older models included lamps that were not fluorescent or LED. Solar lights installed in windy regions are generally equipped with flat panels to better cope with the winds.[1]
Latest designs use wireless technology and fuzzy control theory for battery management. The street lights using this technology can operate as a network with each light having the capability of performing on or off the network.[2]
Solar street lights are generally classified into two types.[3]
Standalone solar street lights have photovoltaic panels mounted on the structure. Each street light has its own photovoltaic panels and is independent of the other lamps.[3]
In this type, the photovoltaic panels for a group of street lights are mounted separately. All the street lights in a particular group are connected to this central power source.[3]
Solar street lights were installed in the Sundarban Tiger Reserve (STR) in August 2008 and April 2009 with assisstance from the Forest Protection Committee and the STR officials. Each household in the region were provided with a home light connection by the WWF so that the people feel responsible for the security of the installed solar street lights.[4]