Frequently Asked Questions

Your Questions, Answered

What’s the difference between solar lighting and traditional street lights?

Solar lights are entirely off-grid and require no cables or trenches.

How long does it take a ProTrack battery to recharge?

Up to 4 hours.

Can the ProTrack batteries be recharged using a ProPower Solar Generator?

Yes, up to 4 batteries can be recharged at once using a ProPower.

How heavy are the ProTrack batteries?

25kg with handles on each end for easy lifting.

What distance can each ProTrack battery light?

100m using 9 link lights

How many lights can be applied to each ProTrack battery?

9 lights which will last for up to 32 hours

What can a Solar Hybrid Generator Power?

The applications are almost endless but typically our ProPower is used for up to 5x 32 ft site cabins at once. Alternatively it can power mini excavators and other small plant equipment and recharge tools onsite. It can also be used at events and festivals providing silent power overnight thanks to the battery storage. The ProPower can also recharge BEES units. It is also commonly used for water pumps and large plant washing units.

Do the solar street lights work in winter?

Yes, we have been installing lights in the UK since 2011 and we have developed the software and knowledge to ensure the lights work consistently up and down the UK.

What applications are the lights suitable for?

The solar street lights are used across both small and large sites in both commercial and residential settings including housing estates, parks, car parks, seafronts, campuses, hospital estates and military bases.

Do lighting designs meet UK regulations?

Our engineers understand all relevant lighting regulations and British standards. As such, we not only advise on lighting layout, but we can fully analyse the lighting requirements for each site.

What light coverage do solar street lights provide?

Our AE6 provides coverage of up to 687m² at a level down to 0.4Lux. This measurement is on the ground and will be on the outer most edge of the light spread. It could be over 10 lux directly below the light but will dissipate the further you go from it. When a lighting design is created it overlaps with light spread from the other lights to give a uniformity.

Can solar street lights, light all roadways?

Our lights can be used on all unadopted roads, but not on adopted roads.

Adopted roads are looked after by councils and maintained accordingly. They also like to use a control system with all street lighting and have it on a set program. Due to the way our PIR’s work they are not effective enough to work on highways due to the speed of vehicles. By the time the car gets detected by the PIR, the light comes on after the car has passed the light.

Are the solar units positioned flat, in a static angled position or are they moveable to maximise energy harvesting?

The lights are split type, meaning the panel can be positioned to face south at all times whilst the luminaire can be positioned where required.

Can I monitor my street lights remotely?

Yes, we’re able to offer you access to our Street Lighting portals. A master and then gateways are added to the panels including a sim card for connectivity. The portal will give access to each panel and light connected to the specific setup network. You can see battery soc, generation, lights on or off. You can also put the lights on a time schedule away from their usual UK settings

Can a solar street light be retrofitted to an existing column?

Yes, subject to the column and foundations meeting the appropriate standards. Contact us for the relevant specifications.

What’s the battery life expectancy of the Solar Street lights?

2,500 cycles. However, this is not 2,500 days.  Majority of the year (roughly 9 months), the lights do not go thru a full cycle every day. They are expected therefore to last between 4 – 7 years dependent the level and number of full discharges.

Do Solar street lights work on a cloudy day?

The latest panel technology means that even on a cloudy day, power will still be generated. The battery has capacity for around 5 consecutive days of n0 solar yield, to cover even the worst periods of UK weather.

What is the business case for a Solar Lighting Tower?

Despite initially costing more to purchase, on average our ProRXM is cost neutral with the most efficient diesel lighting tower after 1 year and 8 months. This is due to the significant operational cost savings. Every year thereafter users save £3,000 per annum on average. Over a 5 year period the total saving is over £16,000 and 7 years is over £25,000.

Is the ProPower easy to use?

Yes, the ProPower has hydraulic lifted panels that can be deployed in less than 3 minutes. Ensure the unit is facing South using the built-in compass and connect your applications that require power into the generator directly or distribution board. Once deployed it requires little maintenance and fuel, so couldn’t be easier to run.

Does the ProPower have GPS tracking?

Yes, you can see each units location, anywhere in the world with a internet connect, on our SmartRemote portal.

Can the ProPower be remotely managed?

Yes, the ProPower can be managed and monitored remotely via our SmartRemote Portal. You can see the solar yield, remaining battery reserves, diesel engine usage and power outputs. You can also turn off the power to particular units and even see if the panels are deployed correctly?

What are the cost savings of a ProPower compared to a traditional generator?

On average our customers save £16.000 per year per generator compared to traditional diesel units. This includes the reduction in fuel costs, operatives to refuel diesel units and servicing and maintenance.

How much diesel does the ProPower Solar generator save?

On average our hybrid 1 phase generator saves up to 90% compared to traditional generators. Our 3 phase saves 100% of diesel as it is a solar only unit.

Does your Smart Distribution Board work with a hybrid power source?

Yes, our Smart Distribution Board manages power demands to ensure optimum time spent on solar and battery storage, therefore reducing generator run times – reducing costs and carbon emissions.

Are you using different power sources?

Using a different mix of power sources doesn’t necessarily mean you’re saving costs and reducing carbon emissions.

You might think you are saving costs and reducing your carbon footprint, but do you know for certain?

Our Smart Distribution Board can give you reports and accurate data that you can shout from the rooftops that you are saving power, reducing your costs and carbon emissions.

How does our Smart Distribution Board collect data?

Once the Smart Distribution Board is connected to your site power source, like the ProPower Solar Hybrid Generator, the module will instantly collect power usage data through WIFI or 4g connectivity, it then sends this information to the cloud, where you can access the data through the easy-to-use dashboard. It’s a clever little thing!

How are our Smart Distribution Board reports generated?

Reports are generated from our Smart Remote portal dashboard and can be exported as needed.

What are the benefits of our Smart Distribution Board?
What can our Smart Distribution Board monitor?

Each board can monitor and control up to 32 individual circuits or whole cabins and multiple boards can be used on larger sites.

What is the ProRXM’s battery life expectancy?

2,000 cycles. However, this is not 2,000 days. Majority of the year (roughly 9 months), the lights do not go through a full cycle every day. They are expected therefore to last between 4 – 7 years dependent on the level and number of full discharges.

What is the business case for a Solar Hybrid Generator?

Despite initially costing more to purchase, on average our Solar Hybrid Generators are cost neutral with a traditional 30KVA diesel generators after 2 years and 4 months. This is due to the significant operational cost savings. Every year thereafter users save £18,000 per annum, on average. Over a 5 year period the total average saving is over £51,000 and 7 years is over £88,000.

Is there any servicing required of a Solar Generator?

Yes. We recommend every 12 months a service is undertaken. This includes a check cable, service and connections as well as to lubricate runners and check tyre pressures. We recommend the engine is checked every 500 hours, same as all generators, but as its as hybrid product, 500 hours could take over a year instead of 3 weeks in a standard diesel generator. Also our batteries have been programmed to be the smartest in the market, there is no need to follow a battery draining programme where you fully drain the battery to preserves its longevity.

Is there any servicing required of a Lighting Tower?

Yes. We recommend every 12 months a service is undertaken. This includes a check cable, service and connections as well as to lubricate runners and mast and check tyre pressures. However, as our batteries have been programmed to be the smartest in the market, there is no need to follow a battery draining programme where you fully drain the battery to preserves its longevity.

How much diesel does the ProRXM Solar Tower Light save?

On average our ProRXM saves 1,680 litres compared to the next most efficient diesel tower light. The ProRXM saves 100% of diesel as it is a solar only unit.

What are the cost savings of a Solar Tower lights compared to a traditional diesel tower lights?

On average our customers save £3.000 per year per light compared to traditional diesel units. This includes the reduction in fuel costs, operatives to refuel diesel units and servicing and maintenance.

Can the Solar Lighting Towers be remotely managed?

Yes, the lights can be managed and monitored remotely via our SmartRemote Portal. You can see the solar yield, remaining battery reserves and usage, additionally you can turn off the lights off remotely.

Does the ProRXM have GPS tracking?

Yes, you can see each units location, anywhere in the world with a internet connection, on our Smart Remote Portal.

What does our Smart Distribution Board do?

Our Smart Distribution Board reduces energy through information, control and automation. A power monitoring and control tool, that can help reduce site fuel costs, power and carbon emissions.

We’re excited to work together
on your next project.

Find out more
Prolight Lights off

Prolectric are fully accredited with the following bodies