The power of light - without the costs

It has been widely proven as a smart alternative light source that saves on wiring, trenching, reticulation and maintenance costs by harnessing the energy of the sun during the day to provide light after dusk.

But one of the biggest challenges, says lighting developer Deon Abrahams, MasonsLED, is the question around its technical stability or feasibility.

He explains; many homeowners and stakeholders have previous experience with cheap retail products from big brand hardware stores for use in gardens and along pathways, to find they never performed as expected.

MasonsLED’s range of E-Stello solar lighting is engineered using a smart controller to manage the battery life to ensure it provides the best performance in the installed environment. The high quality components include: the LED lamp, a lithium battery, photovoltaic panel and the smart controller. Smart sensors control the amount of light discharged each night to preserve the life of the battery.

“You get a better life cycle for your battery when it is treated correctly,” explains Deon, and this is an important component for the life of the solar light which is backed with a 5-year warranty.

Some solar lights simply turn on when it gets dark and turn off at midnight. The intelligent E-Stello solar lights are programmed for maximum efficiency and provide light from dusk until dawn. Sensing programs allow increased light levels when required.

It seems obvious that the placement of solar lights will require sufficient sunlight throughout the day, so installing them under a tree will simply not work.

“We provide lighting design, consider all council regulations and aspects such as glare control and obtrusive light into a neighbouring property.”

“Terrace and apartment developments that have arisen as a result of Auckland’s Unitary Plan, are among the biggest users of solar lighting in communal areas, driveways and carparks. They are also used along rural roads particularly at dangerous intersections where power is not available and costly.”

Solar lighting technology is evolving rapidly with ongoing developments in photovoltaic technology and battery technology.

As MasonsLED looks to the future, the company is committed to providing sustainable light sources using the best and most stable technology available. To look after the environment, they offer a battery recycling programme to dispose of used batteries responsibly.

Can solar lighting solutions be incorporated into your next project?