How to Compare Solar Street Light Quotations

How to Compare Solar Street Light Quotations

Quick answer: normalize every quotation to the same road layout, maintained lighting target, nightly dimming schedule, lowest-month solar data, autonomy and wind requirement. Then compare usable battery energy, real LED input, solar charging margin, photometric results, pole structure, documentation and warranty responsibility. Price per set is meaningful only after these assumptions match.

Quotation Normalization Table

Convert Battery Claims to Usable Energy

Amp-hours cannot be compared without voltage. First convert nameplate capacity to watt-hours, then review allowable depth of discharge, conversion losses, temperature effects and BMS limits. Ask the supplier to state usable energy under the design conditions. A large printed Ah value may still produce less usable energy if the system voltage or permitted discharge differs.

Check Real LED Power and Dimming

Model names and “equivalent watts” do not define energy consumption. Request measured input power and the programmed hours at each output level. A proposal with intelligent dimming may need a smaller battery than a full-output system, but it must still meet the lighting requirement during every defined stage.

Review the Solar Calculation

• Is the project location correct?
• Does the calculation use the lowest relevant design month?
• Are module temperature, controller, wiring, dust and charging losses included?
• Can the system recover after the specified cloudy period?
• Are panel orientation, tilt and shading constraints realistic?

Verify the Lighting Calculation

Confirm that each supplier used the same road dimensions, pole positions, mounting height, tilt, outreach, maintenance factor and calculation grid. The photometric file should correspond to the offered luminaire and optic. Compare average and minimum results, uniformity, glare where applicable and connected load—not a rendered picture alone.

Inspect Pole and Bracket Scope

The quotation should identify pole height, steel grade, top and bottom dimensions, plate thickness, sections, base plate, anchor bolts, solar-panel bracket, luminaire arm and coating. Require the design wind basis and check that the offered calculation includes the actual solar panel and luminaire dimensions.

Compare Evidence and Deliverables

1. Company and factory identification
2. Product datasheets and component manufacturers
3. Lighting and energy calculations
4. Pole general arrangement and structural basis
5. Relevant test reports and certificates required by the destination
6. Quality plan, inspection records and traceability
7. Installation, programming and maintenance manuals
8. Written deviation list

Red Flags in a Solar Street Light Bid

• Battery capacity is listed without voltage, chemistry or usable-energy basis.
• Autonomy is promised without local solar and operating-hour inputs.
• Lux claims are presented without a road calculation.
• The pole wind claim ignores panel size and bracket orientation.
• Warranty language does not identify diagnostic, freight or replacement responsibility.
• Datasheets from different options are combined into one undefined system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the quotation with the largest panel always best?

No. The panel must be compatible with the controller, battery and local solar conditions. Complete energy balance and charging limits matter more than one rating.

Can two suppliers use different wattages and both comply?

Yes. Different optical efficiencies can achieve the same road result at different input powers. Verify both with comparable photometric calculations.

What is the best single value for comparing batteries?

Usable watt-hours under the declared design conditions are more informative than Ah alone, but cycle-life basis, BMS and temperature limits must also be reviewed.

Should samples be tested before a large order?

A project may require a sample, pilot installation or factory acceptance process. The acceptance criteria should be agreed before ordering.

Use the solar street light tender checklist, explore all solar street lights, or ask Jieyao for a transparent project calculation.