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SOLAR LIGHTING
1.Introduction
Solar lighting is quickly being adopted by most people, not only in Kenya, but across the world. Solar Lighting is defined as the collection of solar energy from the sun using solar panels and transformation of the same into lighting throughout the day - time by using the photovoltaic effect. It is one of the cheapest and easiest methods to preserve the environment and reduce electricity cost.
2. Types of Solar Lights in Kenya
Solar lights come in many types, let’s look at some of them below:
2.1. Solar Floodlights
A solar floodlight is a wide beam of light designed to flood an area with light. It is powered by a solar panel and battery which charges during the day and discharges it at night. This enables the light to be fully self-sufficient and does not need to be connected to another power source. They come in a wide variety of sizes, features, and prices. Floodlights are a unique form of lighting intended at providing high amounts of artificial light to a vast area. They are ideal for lighting areas such as stages for concerts, stadiums, sports fields, parking lots, driveways, swimming pools, gardens, or backyards. They top the list of the best options for the enhancement of commercial and residential properties' outdoor security.
2.1.1. Solar Floodlights Features
The features may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer or country of origin, but these are the predominant ones:
a. Motion sensor - They react through a sensor that detects infrared energy. Humans radiate infrared energy of 9-10 micrometers of wavelength which is within the range detectable by the sensors in LED solar floodlights. Therefore, the lights switch on when they detect motion. Hence, saving more energy. The solar floodlights with motion sensors are ideal solutions for use as a garage or house front door light, backyard trails and tracks lights, and driveway lights. They offer security by catching burglars off-guard. When a criminal attempts to break into your property, the light turns on suddenly, scaring them off. The market provides different LED motion lights with varying on-off time and sensitivity. Others are manually set. However, this is a function you can choose to have or not; they do not have to be motion sensor built.
b. Dusk to dawn Sensor - It is recommended that you get floodlights with day and night sensor. When the sun goes down, they turn on removing the need for someone to be present to manually switch them on.
c. Remote Controls - High-end solar floodlights have a remote control. This allows you to operate them remotely from a distance of up to 16.4 ft, allowing you to activate the light easily and fast from a distance. The lights with remote control are ideal for outdoor areas application such as landscaping and yards, for lighting trees and shrubs.
2.2. Solar Streetlights
Solar streetlights are raised light sources which are powered by solar panels. They have a smart, rechargeable battery that powers a LED lamp.
Usually, they are mounted on a lighting structure or integrated into a pole. Most solar lights turn on and off automatically by sensing outdoor light using solar panel voltage. Solar streetlights are designed to work throughout the night. Many can stay lit for more than one night even if the sun fails to come out. Modern designs use wireless technology and fuzzy control theory for battery management. The streetlights using this technology can operate as a network with each light having the capability of performing the turning on and off, of the network. Please note that regular cleaning of the lights is recommended for better service.
2.3. Solar Pool and Pond Lights
These are designed to work immersed in water bodies which adds a sparkling effect on the pool when darkness checks in. They also help extend pool use late into the night by improving night-time visibility and security. Whatever your mood, pool lighting lets you create the backyard ambiance that you desire.
Other types include Portable Solar Lights, Solar Driveway Lights, Solar Fence lights, Solar Stair Lights, Solar Camping lights, and Solar Pathway Lights, and the list is endless.
3. Advantages of Solar Lighting
i. The large magnitude of solar energy available makes it a highly appealing source of electricity.
ii. They require less maintenance compared to conventional lights. Apart from doing a few check-ups and cleaning throughout the year, there is nothing else you have to do to ensure their longevity.
iii. They do not need wiring hence reducing the risk to accidents that occur due to strangulation, overheating, and electrocution.
iv. The power they produce is sustainable and non-pollutive to the environment. They give off a lower quantity of carbon footprint than that of traditional lights; thereby, making them eco-friendly.
v. While traditional lights last for approximately an average of 5,000 to 8000 hours or less than a year of usage, solar lights can live up to 5 to 7 years.
vi. Through the power cuts and grid disruption, these lights remain illuminated.
vii. They are weather-proof and water-proof – in days when the sun is not there, they are able to utilize energy stored in the solar panels.
viii. They come with zero energy bills. There are no electrical power bills associated with utilizing solar lighting systems as they are completely grid-free.
ix. Solar energy is inexhaustible, you will never have to worry about running out of light.
x. Thieves and other unwanted visitors cannot unplug or cut the wires of the solar sensor lamp, as the technology is wire-free.
4. Selection of Solar Lights
Interested In going the Solar Way? Here’s a Quick Look into What you should Look Out for Before Making Purchase Decisions About Solar Lights.
i. The level of brightness - Light energy amount is expressed in lumens. Depending on how bright you need it, you can get solar floodlights generating 5,920 lumens. The higher voltage (7.4 Volts or more) is powered by Lithium-ion batteries while low-voltage (around 6 volts) are typically powered by a couple of Ni-MH (nickel meta hydride) batteries. The brightness of the solar light is directly proportional to the lumens produced which is determined by the wattage.
ii. Battery type - Batteries store electrical energy as chemical energy in reactions that occur when energy is stored and released and that’s how solar lights are able to illuminate after dusk. Different batteries have varying performances in terms of charge time, energy storage, weight, and lifespan. Solar batteries come in 4 types; lead-acid, lithium-ion, nickel-based, and flow batteries. We shared detailed information on this in our previous article.
iii. Recharge and Run time - before making a purchase, it’s important that you get to know how long the light will take to charge and how long it can serve you once it is fully charged. This will also help you avoid running your battery down to zero which is known to shorten their life span eventually.
iv. Features - This could be manual or automatic depending on your preference.
It’s our hope that you have learned a thing or two about Solar lighting and that you will consider adopting this fast-growing source of electricity soon. Please feel free to leave us a comment. We will be delighted to hear your thoughts or suggestions on this subject.
At Glocal Communications Limited, we have been providing solar lighting solutions for the past 5 years. Our clients matter to us, and we endeavor to give priority to understanding their lighting issues first before we can recommend and/or supply the product that is best suited to solving their problem. We take this opportunity to welcome you to contact us for more information about solar lighting and our solar lighting products. Call us today on 0720042058, send us an email at info@glocalcomms.com, follow us on Facebook, or visit our website.
Solar Energy
1. Introduction
Solar energy is defined as radiant light and heat from the sun. It is harnessed using different forms of technologies such as solar photovoltaic, solar thermal energy, solar heating, and the related discipline of solar architecture. It is the conversion of energy from sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV), indirectly using concentrated solar power, or a combination. Photovoltaic cells are cells that convert light into an electric current using the photovoltaic effect. The total amount of solar energy released by the sun is vastly in excess of the world’s current and anticipated energy requirements. If suitably harnessed, this highly diffused source has the potential to satisfy all future energy needs. In the 21st century, solar energy is expected to become increasingly attractive as a renewable energy source because of its inexhaustible supply and its nonpolluting character. Though solar energy is free, the high cost of its collection, conversion, and storage still limit its exploitation in many places.
Its history spans from 1883 when solar power was first turned into electricity. American inventor, Charles Fritts created the first solid solar cell which only had around 1% electrical efficiency. Today, the best solar panels can have over 20%.
China is the largest producer of solar-powered electricity generation in the world, producing 261,659 GWh in 2020. The US comes in second, producing 119,329 GWh in the same year, followed by Japan, India, and Germany.
2. Solar Harvesting and Storage
Solar energy is harnessed through Solar panels and stored into usable electrical form in batteries.
i. Solar Panels - When the sun shines onto a solar panel, energy from the sunlight is absorbed by photovoltaic (PV) cells that are in the panel. These cells then convert the sunlight into electricity by creating voltage or electrical current which moves in response to an internal electric field in the cell, causing electricity to flow. A solar panel is made of solar cells sandwiched between layers of clear adhesive film. In front of this is a layer of glass held by a frame. Behind is a layer of aluminum called the back sheet which can conduct electricity. The electricity generated by the solar cells leaves the solar panel at the junction box.
ii. Batteries - Solar batteries store electrical energy generated by the solar panels. They come in 4 types; lead acid, lithium ion, nickel based and flow batteries. Lead acid batteries are the cheapest, most cost effective and reliable. Lithium-ion batteries are more expensive than the rest though they require almost no regular maintenance. They have a higher battery energy density, meaning they can hold more energy in a smaller space than a lead acid battery. They also have a longer lifespan with a guaranteed warranty of at least 10 years. They are best for residential solar installations because they can hold more power in a limited space. Nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries aren’t as widely used as lead acid or lithium-ion batteries. Their main advantages is that they are durable, have the ability to operate in extreme temperatures and are maintenance free. On the flip side, they are extremely toxic, something that has led to them being banned in some countries. Flow batteries, on the other hand, contain a water-based electrolyte liquid that flows between two separate chambers, or tanks, within the battery. When charged, chemical reactions occur which allow the energy to be stored and subsequently discharged. One of the best things about flow batteries is that they have a 100% depth of discharge. Their lifespan goes up to 30 years and they require very low maintenance.
3.Uses of Solar Energy
Solar energy has many uses, both household and commercial. Below is just a snippet:
i. Water Heating – Solar water heaters use a rooftop cell to absorb the sun’s heat and transfer it to an insulated water tank for home use.
ii. Pool heating – This is done by adding a solar blanket into the pool that warms the water. The basic floating blanket is a passive heating device that works simply by absorbing the sun's heat and transmitting it to the water. A fully fledged solar water heating system can also be installed. This utilizes solar heating panels that are mounted on your roof to collect the sun's heat, which is transmitted to the water through a series of tubes looping through the panels. As the water is slowly circulated from the pool up through the solar heating panels and back to the pool, the water temperature in the pool gradually increases.
iii. Salt production - In some countries, solar energy is used to produce salt from seawater by evaporation.
iv. Charging batteries - Virtually any device that operates on a battery can be charged with solar power via some type of photo-electric panel system. Many basic and inexpensive solar panel kits have connections that allow you to plug in cell phones, pad devices, and laptops for direct charging.
v. Solar ventilation – this is done through self-contained roof vent fans that feature a small panel of photo-electric cells that help operate the fan motor with no need for household electrical current. Small roof-mounted units are perfect for keeping a garage, shed or pet house, cool in the summer. There are also free-standing solar-powered fans that can be used either for domestic or commercial purposes.
vi. Solar Transportation - Solar transport consists of the use of solar panels and cells to trap sunlight and convert it into electricity. Solar electricity is a great replacement for commonly used fuels like petrol and diesel. Unlike standard combustion vehicles, solar transports are not entirely dependent on them. They are clean, cheap, and fast. Solar is used in several means of transport, for instance, cars, buses, trains, boats, and bikes.
vii. Solar lighting - Solar lights have become commonplace. You can find them everywhere from home, landscaping, and security lights to road signs and streetlights. These solar lighting technologies are inexpensive and readily available. You can find basic to high-end designs everywhere from your local hardware store.
4. What you don’t know about Solar Energy
Solar energy interesting facts that you will be glad to learn about below:
i. More energy from the sun falls on the earth in one hour than is used by everyone in the world in one year. This is according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory which is a national laboratory of the U.S Department of Energy.
ii. Solar lights can be charged without sunlight. Solar panels can charge with other forms of visible light besides sunlight. This can be done by placing solar panels directly underneath an artificial household light or incandescent bulb. The closer the solar light to the bulb, the less time it will take your solar panel to charge.
iii. Solar energy is cheaper than wind energy. According to experts, a 10 kW PV solar system will have an average annual production of 14,165 kWh. The average cost of a system that size is around $24,900. A 10-kW wind turbine, on the other hand, can generate an average annual production of around 14,016 kilowatt-hours with small-scale residential wind turbines of this order of magnitude costing up to $75,000. In addition, unlike wind turbines, solar panels don’t have any moving parts that could cause more wear and tear, resulting in more maintenance costs after the initial investment.
iv. You can use salt to store solar energy. The sensible heat of molten salt is used for storing solar energy at a high temperature. It is termed molten-salt technology or molten salt energy storage (MSES). The molten Salt Energy Storage system uses renewable energy to heat liquid salt to 565 °C. It is then stored in a hot storage tank where it can be kept for several days until when needed. The thermal energy is turned into electricity by means of a steam turbine. Molten salt energy storage is an economical, highly flexible solution that provides long-duration storage for a wide range of power generation applications.
5. Solar Farms
Lastly, let's briefly touch on Solar Farms as they are an integral subject when it comes to Solar energy.
A solar farm also known as a solar park, solar power plant, or photovoltaic power station is a big piece of land in which many photovoltaic solar panels are set up with the aim of absorbing energy from the sun. This energy is converted into electricity, which is then sent into a power grid for distribution to consumers. Solar farms are mounted on the ground and not on rooftops. The land area required for the desired power output varies depending on the location, the efficiency of the solar panels, the slope of the site, and the type of mounting used. What’s more interesting about Solar farms is that they are known to provide perfect habitats for wildlife and plants, making them more friendly to mother nature.
Bhadla Solar Park is the largest solar farm in the world. The plant, located in India sits on a 14,000-acre piece of land. It contains over 10 million solar panels.
5.1. Solar Farms in Kenya
In Kenya, we have Garissa Power station which sits on an 85 hectares piece of land, consisting of over 200,000 Solar panels. It is the largest in East and Central Africa. The power from this station is enough to power about 625,000 homes. This one is closely followed by the Malindi Solar plant, Alten Keesses in Uasin Gishu County, Kopere Solar Project in Nandi County, and Eldosol Solar Plant in Nandi County which is the 5th largest. According to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), the government aims to have 600 megawatts (MW) of solar power generation capacity installed by 2030, up from less than 100 MW currently.
6. Conclusion
We hope that this article has been informative to you in as far as Solar energy is concerned. Feel free to leave us a comment expressing your thoughts on the same.
At Glocal Communications Limited, we have been providing solar energy-related solutions for 5 years now. This has equipped us with a wealth of knowledge and experience in this area helping us offer our clients better and long-lasting solar energy solutions. It’s for this reason, that we take this opportunity to welcome you to contact us for more information about our solar energy products and services. Call us at 0720042058, send us an email at info@glocalcomms.com, or visit our website.
