Choosing the right street lighting for an application or infrastructure scheme has always been a critical part of the design aesthetic, traditionally balancing function and form alongside robust performance requirements. But as sustainability increasingly becomes a cornerstone of urban design criteria, off-grid, eco-friendly, external solar street lighting now provides an all-round first-class solution for UK infrastructure projects.
Drawing on over a decade of industry expertise, we deep dive into the world of solar street lighting and reveal why split-type street lighting systems are the optimal choice for the UK – over all-in-one systems – and how they’re shaping the future of sustainable lighting.
Solar Lighting: A Growing Need in Sustainable UK Infrastructure
The demand for renewable powered lighting is increasing. Governments and businesses are adopting non-mains powered lighting options not just for the energy savings but also for its contribution to reducing carbon footprints and supporting net-zero goals.
Further benefits include a significantly easier and cheaper installation process over mains powered lighting, due to solar needing no DNO connection, cabling or trenching. As solar is grid resilient, it avoids power outages, and is protected from disruptive events, a key benefit to 24/7 sites like a hospital – ensuring the lights stay on round-the-clock.
In the UK our challenging weather system and climate, means that in addition to cost, performance and durability will form a significant part of the decision-making process when it comes to choosing the right street lighting. As with all exterior lighting specifications, the environmental conditions of a scheme, the overall technical requirements, and any specific project constraints are key considerations.
What is Split-Type vs All-in-One Solar Street Lighting
In general terms, Split-Type Solar Street Lighting is made from a modular system which is composed of flexible main parts (solar panel, lighting fixture, battery), allowing different sizes and capacities to be made to order. Split-Type lends itself to be considered a more specialist, bespoke category lighting solution, owing to its greater flexibility and overall capacity.
All-in-one systems offer a lower cost solution, generally including a compact, independent lighting system, with built-in component parts (solar panel, lighting fixture, battery).
All-in-One Solar Lights Limitations and Benefits
Split-type systems clearly dominate in more challenging environments, due to their modular nature and superior ability to perform in UK weather conditions, however all-in-one systems, are not without their merits. Key benefits include:
Low Cost
Designed in a way to keep prices under £500 a unit.
Compact Design
Ideal for temporary installations or low-demand areas.
Easy to Install
Quick setup makes them suitable for emergency or short-term projects. (See our ProTemp Column Light for a powerful alternative).
However, their limitations – particularly in performance under UK weather conditions, and long-term cost-effectiveness – mean they’re less suited to projects requiring reliable, high-output lighting.
Performance Limitations
The solar panel and light head face the same direction, as it’s a fixed unit. The key to generating optimal solar power is to maximise solar yield by facing the panel toward direct sunlight, hence solar panels on roofs are commonly applied to the south facing side.
This is no different for solar lights. An all-in-one light must face south, but if the light is required to be positioned facing north, you are either compromising on panel position or light position. If you compromise on panel position, your yield will not be enough to ensure your light works through the night in the UK winter.
Lower Power Potential
All-in-one systems are constrained by the compact size of their solar panels and batteries, making them less suitable for demanding UK environments, reducing autonomy and luminaire output compared to split systems.
Thermal Issues
Integrated designs are prone to overheating, which can degrade battery life and performance. Batteries in all-in-one units are also harder to replace, leading to higher long-term maintenance costs.
Suitability for the UK
All-in-one lights designed and tested in countries like the Middle East or Australia, where sunlight is more consistent and predictable, are not tested or even engineered for the UK climate and therefore are liable to fail in the winter months.
The Split-Type Advantage: A Design Built for UK Challenges
Optimised Solar Capture
The modular nature of split-type systems allows for independent placement of solar panels and lighting units. In the UK, where sunlight is limited and angles are critical, this flexibility ensures panels are always positioned for maximum solar capture. For example, our AE6 model achieves high efficiency even in Scotland’s low-irradiance winters, providing consistent dusk-to-dawn operation, all-year round.
This adaptability contrasts sharply with all-in-one designs, whose fixed solar panel angles often result in suboptimal performance during cloudy or winter conditions.
Tailored Solutions for Diverse Applications
Split systems offer unparalleled customisation. Whether it’s lighting urban streets, car parks, rural pathways, or industrial perimeters, we provide bespoke designs that meet British Standards (BS5489) for street lighting. Our design services include detailed site analyses, ensuring projects are optimised for efficiency, coverage, and compliance.
Enhanced Durability and Maintenance
All-in-one units combine all components into a single enclosure, which can lead to overheating and reduced battery life. Split systems mitigate this risk by separating components, which improves cooling and extends lifespan. Furthermore, maintenance becomes simpler and more cost-effective – damaged components can be replaced individually rather than discarding the entire unit. This feature is especially beneficial for large-scale or long-term installations.
The Role of Prolectric in Advancing Split-Type Technology
We have led the charge in solar innovation, combining technical expertise with a commitment to sustainability. Here are a few ways we set the standard:
Rigorous Testing for Real-World Conditions
Our products undergo extensive testing in diverse environments, including regions with low solar availability. For example, the AE6 split-type model has been trialled in Scotland to ensure uninterrupted operation during the darkest months of the year.
Smart Technology Integration
Our systems feature smart controllers that allow programmable settings for dimming, motion sensing, and energy optimisation. Advanced battery systems have an enhanced depth of discharge (90%) and extended lifespan, ensuring reliability in diverse conditions. These technologies not only improve efficiency but also reduce maintenance frequency, lowering lifecycle costs.
Sustainability at Its Core
Our modular systems are designed with longevity in mind. By extending battery life and simplifying upgrades, they reduce waste and support circular economy principles.
The Business Case for Split-Type Systems
Investing in split-type systems may come with a higher initial cost, but the long-term benefits far outweigh this:
Lower Lifecycle Costs
The ability to replace and upgrade components individually results in significant savings over time, offering better long-term value through scalability, durability and performance.
Resilience in Harsh Conditions
The modular design can accommodate larger panels and additional batteries, extending operational life and support higher-powered configurations for areas needing enhanced illumination, maintaining reliable operation even during extended cloudy periods.
Compliance and Reputation
Businesses and councils adopting systems that meet stringent UK standards enhance their sustainability credentials.
Find the hours of runtime at maximum brightness in the winter?
In Bristol, a conservative number of sunshine hours is around 0.6 when considering losses. In the winter we also have 17 hours of night. Take the Power of the solar panel, times it by 0.6, and divide it by LED power, and you get the number of runtime hours at that LED brightness.
80W (Panel) x 0.6h = 48Wh
48Wh ÷ 20W (LED) = 2.4 hours (number of runtime hours at that LED brightness)
To find the LED brightness for it to last all through the night in winter. Take the Power of the solar panel, times it by 0.6, and divide it by the number of runtime hours, and you get the LED brightness for the LED to last all through the night.
80W (Panel) x 0.6h = 48Wh
48Wh ÷ 17h = 2.8W (LED brightness for the LED to last all through the night)
I find their approach, ease of use, knowledge and range of products to be very good. It’s fantastic to be able to work with such a reliable and proactive supplier installing solar lighting adaptions’ to existing street lighting as well as new designs. The works are incredibly low impact for our families and cause no issues while being completed but result in much better lighting designs as well as eliminating the cost of traditional street lighting electricity bills for our client. – Christopher Irons, Regional Billable Works Manager, VIVO.
A Vision for the Future: Lighting Communities Sustainably
Imagine a future where every rural road, urban footpath, and industrial estate is lit sustainably, safely, and efficiently. We are already making this vision a reality. One standout case study involves a council in northern England that replaced outdated lighting with our split systems, achieving a 40% reduction in maintenance costs and zero lighting outages during winter months.
These successes underscore the transformative potential of well-designed solar lighting in tackling global challenges like energy efficiency and climate change.
Conclusion: Why Choose Prolectric?
We aren’t just a supplier; we’re a partner, creating sustainable solutions. Since 2011 we’ve installed over 10,000 permanent solar streetlights across the UK.
With over a decade of experience in solar lighting and an unmatched combination of technical expertise, customised solutions, and sustainability-focused innovation, we stand out as the UK’s leading authority on solar street lighting.
From expert installation to customised lighting designs, we ensure projects are optimised for performance and longevity. Our products excel in high-demand environments, including roads, pathways, and industrial sites, providing robust illumination even in challenging weather.
For projects demanding robust performance, scalability, and environmental responsibility, our split-type systems are the clear choice.
Ready to Transform Your Lighting Project?
Contact us today to explore how our solutions can illuminate your path to a sustainable future.
To read more about our customers experiences explore our case studies here.
