As the technology of solar street lighting keeps developing, it has become a common light source in many areas. However, when it is not sunny, these lights cannot obtain enough solar power. Therefore, a new type of solar street light, the hybrid street light, is in use to ensure sufficient light. Read on and get to know the working principle, pros and cons, and how the hybrid street light is different in this passage!
What is a hybrid solar lighting system?
Solar power supply loops and mains power supply loops are the two main components of the system. Relays, DC power modules, and filters are added on the basis of the common mains power supply circuit section.
In the solar power supply circuit, the charging module connects the solar cell module to the battery. Under the control of the microcontroller software, the charging circuit module completes the detection of voltage and current. It also manages the charging and discharging of batteries and solar cells. Via PWM technology, the charging module manage the charging voltage and current. The switch control module, which is managed by the microcontroller, connects the battery to the LED street light.
The microcontroller module regulates the load’s power supply. Based on the voltage and current sample information, it judges if the battery is operating normally. When the battery is normal, the microcontroller uses the battery to power the load. When there is not enough power in the batteries, the main power supply is turned on and the battery power supply is disconnected. The microcontroller uses a relay to regulate access to the main power supply. It also uses a filter to deliver power to the LED street lights and converts 220V AC to 12V or 24V DC.
What are the pros and cons of the hybrid street light?
The hybrid street light system can effectively address the issue of solar lights having low brightness, shorter working hours, and even entering a low-voltage protection state on cloudy and rainy days. Besides, it is a good solution for the project of replacing old street lights with solar ones. In these projects, the city power cable wiring is already ready, so no further expense is needed, and the addition of solar energy can reduce the electricity costs.
The high cost of the system is the drawback, though. In addition to being many times more costly than a pure solar controller, the hybrid solar controller will also come with a comparatively high installation cost.
What is the difference between solar system and hybrid solar system?
There are two types of on-grid hybrid solar systems, and the difference is whether the extra power will be stored in the battery.
For the first type, after the solar system produces power, it connects with the main grid via the meter. The system will use solar power first if it is capable of meeting the power consumption of the street light. When it is unable to meet the required power consumption, the system will use the solar power and mains power together to generate electricity for street lights.
For the second type, the battery will store the energy collected by the panels during the day. The main power supply provides supplements at night when the energy storage supply is insufficient.
So compared with the common solar street light system, the hybrid solar system has mains power as a backup. Thus, it is more reliable and suitable for rainy and cloudy days. But it also means that the hybrid solar street lights still need the grid, which makes them less convenient than the off-grid solar street lights.
Conclusions
The hybrid street light system is able to power the street light with solar power and mains power with the additional components. It is a good choice for rainy or cloudy days. But it is costly and inconvenient to install. Depending on where you want to place the street lights, it may be one of the options that meets your needs.
