SolarOne® - FAQ
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Solar Cells produce electricity with the diffuse light that is available on overcast days, just not as well. Your system is sized to provide enough energy to ride through periods of low sun and stormy days (based on the history for your location.) SO-Bright® Technology adds extra protection with run-time extension and LVD features. Back to Top
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How many days storage will my system have? How many days do you recommend? In most cases, SolarOne recommends that lighting systems in the northern part of the US have a minimum of 10 days storage and that those in the south have at least 5 days. Having plenty of battery capacity will help to insure that you get the full potential life out of your batteries, as well as protecting you from a black out. In some cases, where the weather is notoriously stormy and/or sunless in winter, we might recommend even more storage. Back to Top
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Will my lights stay on all night? The number of hours of lighting that you can expect from your system is dependent on your location (solar resource), the power package you use to collect and store power and the intensity of the light that you require. SolarOne typically sizes systems to provide lighting all night long, using either peak lighting all night or using a combination of peak and off-peak light levels to manage energy and costs more efficiently. In most locations, you can use peak and off-peak lighting and/or a motion detector to ensure that you can provide all night lighting, year round. Your SolarOne representative can recommend a system to meet your performance needs. Back to Top
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If your panel is covered with snow, SolarOne's intelligent controls will shut your lights off during daylight hours to protect your batteries. Because of the tilt, color and finish of the solar panel, snow cover is likely to clear long before battery storage is depleted. Once again, run-time extension and LVD offer added protection.Back to Top
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Solar panels generally need no maintenance at all. Back to Top
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No. SolarOne's intelligent controls track the patterns of energy input and demand manage lighting profiles. This means that you never need to set/or repair a clock. You'll never need to adjust your lights for daylight savings time. Back to Top
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LVD stands for Low Voltage Disconnect. SolarOne can set your battery to disconnect if the charge is depleted below our planned minimum. This level is somewhat higher than the battery manufacturer's recommended minimum and creates a reserve. Though it's unlikely you will need to, you can tap into this reserve with a push of a button on your remote control. Your system will remain protected and never go below the manufacturer's remended minimum charge. Back to Top
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Can I separate the solar panels from your lighting systems and place them on a roof or in a "solar farm" area? This is a "possible" solution, but it is often not very practical. Some of the barriers include: Wire loss (loss of energy to the lights reduces efficiencies), cost of trenching, safety and code issues for higher voltage systems, added costs for mounting or extra poles. A limited number of remote "power stations" can be used to overcome shading issues or difficult to reach areas. SolarOne is happy to review your custom lighting project needs. Design of a system may require a consulting fee. Back to Top
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| Your SolarOne System is completely autonomous and operates independent of the electric grid. With multiple layers of protection, you can depend on your SolarOne System to keep providing you with bright, white light, even during power outages. Back to Top |
Lighting requirements that are not close to grid connections