5 Myths About Solar Lighting Debunked

Despite its many advantages, solar lighting is still surrounded by numerous misconceptions that can hinder its adoption. High costs, lack of reliability, limited efficiency—these are just some of the preconceived notions that no longer reflect the reality of today’s technological advancements.

In this article, we debunk five common myths about solar lighting and explain why it represents a high-performance and eco-friendly solution for the future, thanks to photovoltaic solar energy. 

“Solar lighting is too expensive” 

Who said solar public lighting was expensive? Installing autonomous solar solutions offers significant cost savings and profitability, starting from the initial purchase! This is due to lower installation costs, as there is no need for network connection (no trenches or cabling), no electricity bills, and minimal maintenance costs. The long lifespan of solar streetlight components—such as batteries, solar panels, and LED luminaires—makes this solution a cost-effective and low-maintenance investment in the long run. 

“Solar streetlights don’t work in winter or in foggy conditions” 

Thanks to technological innovation and Research & Development (R&D), systems now incorporate technologies designed to provide sufficient energy and maintain performance even during periods of low sunlight.

Even when the light is diffuse, photovoltaic panels are equipped with solar cells capable of capturing sunlight, by optimizing solar radiation absorption, even in cloudy weather or during low sunlight conditions. These streetlights maintain high energy efficiency, even in regions with moderate solar radiation. To ensure reliable year-round lighting, regardless of weather conditions, new technologies such as energy management systems have been developed.

So, it is not necessary to be in a sunny region year-round to install autonomous solar streetlights. Many of our projects prove it: 

• The Viaduct of Colombia
• Solar streetlight in snowy Canada
• Road in Savines-Le-Lac (French Alps)
• Evolène ski track in Switzerland 

“Solar lighting is less reliable than traditional lighting” 

False. Using renewable energy allows solar lighting to be self-sufficient, making it completely autonomous and independent from the electrical grid. Solar-powered streetlights are also designed to adapt to various applications and weather conditions, providing long-lasting lighting even in remote areas.

Unlike traditional systems where a blackout can leave an entire neighborhood in darkness, solar lighting solutions help prevent such risks. Power outages, flooding risks, or even cable theft are no longer concerns. With a high availability rate, solar lighting ensures reliability and security in all circumstances.  
 

“Solar streetlights are difficult to integrate into all landscapes” 

Designs have evolved significantly in recent years! Manufacturers now offer a wide range of solar streetlights, from contemporary to classic styles. These solutions seamlessly integrate into any environment, whether historic city centers, modern residential areas, or natural spaces. Some models are even specifically designed to meet the architectural constraints of heritage sites.

Solar streetlights can be adapted to any setting. Moreover, they offer full customization options, from colors to lantern designs, everything is now possible! 

"Qu’en est-il du recyclage des composants du lampadaire photovoltaïque ?"

Due to their components, solar streetlights often raise concerns about recycling and end-of-life disposal.  

However, the components of solar streetlights, such as photovoltaic panels, batteries, and LED luminaires, mostly consist of recyclable materials. For example, photovoltaic modules, mainly made of glass and aluminum, have a recyclability rate close to 100% thanks to specialized recycling streams for their components. As for the batteries, they are increasingly being integrated into the recycling process to minimize their environmental impact. Solar lighting is therefore part of a circular and sustainable economy approach.

Discover our article on recycling the different components of a streetlight: Practical guide: how to recycle a solar street lamp?