3 Fun Facts about Solar Street Lights
There is one indisputable fact about our planet that cannot be denied: we only have one. As far as science tells us, we’re still years (if not centuries) away from being able to find a suitable replacement. It may take even longer for us to be able to travel there once we see it.
We’re left with no choice. We have to take care of the planet we’ve got.
Since the industrial revolution, we’ve been polluting our planet faster than we can clean it up. Now we’re faced with summers that get hotter every year. In addition, storms are becoming larger, faster, and harder to contend with. They can cost millions of dollars in damages, not to mention the toll on human lives.
This is a problem that won’t go away overnight. There’s no magic wand to wave to bring us back to pre-industrial pollution levels. It will take a lot of ingenuity to get ourselves on the right track.
There are no one-size-fits-all solutions that will cool the oceans, calm the storms, and re-freeze the polar ice cap. It took time to get into this mess, and it will take a lot of time and effort to get us back out.
But that’s no reason to give up hope. Remember that humans are the species that walked on the moon. We’ve converted our natural assets into green energy sources, like wind farming and hydroelectric power. And we’re also the ones who created a vaccine for Covid-19 in under a year.
As you can see, when we’re truly motivated, we can do great things. Reforming the world into one that serves everyone’s best interest is one of the loftiest goals, but it isn’t impossible.
The way to make great change is by taking things one step at a time. In this article, we’re going to discuss some of the benefits you can expect to see after installing a solar street light near you.
Let’s get started.
Go Green!
You probably won’t be surprised by the first item on our list. Solar street lights run off of stored solar energy, which makes them very good for the environment. If you’re unfamiliar with solar energy, now is the perfect time to learn.
Solar energy is just a fancy way of saying that it is powered by the sun. If you’ve ever attended a baseball game in the summer, you’ve felt the enormous power of the sun beating down on your skin. You may have even witnessed the chemical change that can occur after hours of sun exposure: a painful red rash known as sunburn.
While it may seem dangerous, the right technology can harness the sun’s power by creating energy that is stored in powerful batteries inside the machine. You may be asking yourself, “But what good will that do? Who needs a street light when the sun is shining?”
Never fear. These lights can store the energy that they create during the day and only use them at night. They can be set on a timer so they turn off and on at the same time each day. They can also be set to turn on at dusk and back off at dawn. Either way, the lights will be saved for when they are needed most. This is another way these lights can help conserve energy.
Click here for more information about solar technology.
Whether the Weather
At this point, you may be concerned. We’ve already discussed the increase in storms earlier in this article. So right about now, you may be wondering, what happens when it does storm? In some parts of the country, winter can be harsh. It may be days or even weeks between sunny days. You may be asking yourself, would a solar street light leave me in the dark?
That’s a great question. Fortunately, the answer is no. First, solar batteries are able to gather power even in inclement conditions. That means that even when it is cloudy, cold, or rainy, they are still able to power up.
In addition, these beautiful machines can work for several days without a charge. Some can even run for five full days between charging sessions. Pretty impressive, isn’t it?
Anywhere You Need Them
Not only does this technology help the environment, it can be very cost-effective. One of the most expensive costs when developing in an unincorporated area is adding on to the existing power grid. This can cost tens of thousands of dollars. It will also require lots of permits and working with the city in order to get the job done. It could add weeks to your project schedule.
Because solar lights come with their own power source, you eliminate many of these issues. They can be installed anywhere and continue to run even in inclement weather. Click the link: https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/electricity/delivery-to-consumers.php to learn more about how the United States power grid operates.
If you remember the winter of 2021, you might remember the great Texas winter storm debacle. Texas is one of the few states operating off of a completely independent power grid. When a freak winter storm hit, the system was unprepared for the amount of heat the citizens of the state would need in order to keep themselves safe.
The power grid failed, and many were left to fend for themselves. One small boy froze to death in his bed as a result. The event was truly a tragedy, and unfortunately, nothing has been done in the intervening years to help remedy the problem.
Whether you’re concerned about your own electrical needs or you’re a part of this faulty grid, you’ll rest easy knowing that solar energy is always available and independent from any state power grid.
Conclusion
No matter what your motivation, it is in everyone’s best interest to pursue alternative energy sources. These can be cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable than more old-fashioned technology.
