Looking to Install Small Panels for Lampposts on a Ranch

[sultan316]

I don't want HID lighting. It doesn't have to illuminate every spot on the road like a street light on the highway. Just enough to where you know where you're going if walking and can see a little to the side of you. I think a floodlight or something of the sort should suffice. Perhaps a shorter post with a regular LED bulb.

Regardless, let me get this straight, the best/cheapest design for this would be to have a singular system for every post (i.e. post, CC, inverter, panel, etc)? If this is true, correct me if my math is wrong, but is this a good approximation for the costs?

4.75 hrs of full sun in Houston
15w for 8hrs a day=120 watt hours

Need a 25 watt panel on each post

$80 lamppost + light fixture
$100 solar panel
$30 charge controller
$30 power inverter
$120 battery
$20 Utility box
$380 Total per post

[SunEagle]

I don't want HID lighting. It doesn't have to illuminate every spot on the road like a street light on the highway. Just enough to where you know where you're going if walking and can see a little to the side of you. I think a floodlight or something of the sort should suffice. Perhaps a shorter post with a regular LED bulb.

Regardless, let me get this straight, the best/cheapest design for this would be to have a singular system for every post (i.e. post, CC, inverter, panel, etc)? If this is true, correct me if my math is wrong, but is this a good approximation for the costs?

4.75 hrs of full sun in Houston
15w for 8hrs a day=120 watt hours

Need a 25 watt panel on each post

$80 lamppost + light fixture
$100 solar panel
$30 charge controller
$30 power inverter
$120 battery
$20 Utility box
$380 Total per post

Using your numbers. The cost of the solar parts is approximately $280 per post.

If you had 10 lampposts that would be about $2800. If they were spaced out about 100 yards that would be 300 feet. If you take the $2800 / 300 feet you would get about $9.33 / foot.

I think you can run wire in a pvc conduit from the house power to the 10 lampposts for less than $9.33/foot. This would be cheaper to use house power than solar provided your solar parts costs is correct. If you solar was higher then the cost of the electric wire is more appealing.

[Noob]

Okay, let me offer something stupid. Self contained solar yard lights are literally $1 each and can be jammed into the ground at regular intervals and replaced as needed... for $1 each. They should last a year or two.

If all you're looking for are road markers when it's pitch black, wouldn't that be enough?

[Sunking]

I don't want HID lighting. It doesn't have to illuminate every spot on the road like a street light on the highway. Just enough to where you know where you're going if walking and can see a little to the side of you. I think a floodlight or something

A Flood Light is HID

4.75 hrs of full sun in Houston
15w for 8hrs a day=120 watt hours

Need a 25 watt panel on each post

$80 lamppost + light fixture
$100 solar panel
$30 charge controller
$30 power inverter
$120 battery
$20 Utility box
$380 Total per post

Close but no cigar. You did not account for system losses using an inexpensive PWM Controller.

For PWM to make 120 watt hours usable electricity the panel has to generate 240 watt hours so panel wattage = [120 wh x 2] /4.75 Sun Hour = 50 watts.

[green]

Okay, let me offer something stupid. Self contained solar yard lights are literally $1 each and can be jammed into the ground at regular intervals and replaced as needed... for $1 each. They should last a year or two.

If all you're looking for are road markers when it's pitch black, wouldn't that be enough?

I was thinking along the same line. Why not buy the best self contained LED Solar Spot lights you can get, any where form $10-$30 each, and put 1 or 2 maybe 3 on a pole. Try building one of these first as a prototype and see if it works for you. I bought a couple of the $10 LED spots on clearance at Wal-Mart and I am surprised at how much light they put out. Also they have the newer Lithium batteries in them and they last through the night easily. One downside though is on really cloudy days you will have no light as they have no reserve capacity designed into them.

BTW my house is the one that glows at night with all the solar lights outside. Yes.. I am that guy.

[Noob]

I was thinking along the same line. Why not buy the best self contained LED Solar Spot lights you can get, any where form $10-$30 each, and put 1 or 2 maybe 3 on a pole. Try building one of these first as a prototype and see if it works for you. I bought a couple of the $10 LED spots on clearance at Wal-Mart and I am surprised at how much light they put out. Also they have the newer Lithium batteries in them and they last through the night easily. One downside though is on really cloudy days you will have no light as they have no reserve capacity designed into them.

BTW my house is the one that glows at night with all the solar lights outside. Yes.. I am that guy.

I really like the ones that are built into the walkway tiles / pavers. I've only seen that once.

Huh, I just found out that the $1 ones include rechargeable AAA batteries inside. Interesting....

[SunEagle]

I was thinking along the same line. Why not buy the best self contained LED Solar Spot lights you can get, any where form $10-$30 each, and put 1 or 2 maybe 3 on a pole. Try building one of these first as a prototype and see if it works for you. I bought a couple of the $10 LED spots on clearance at Wal-Mart and I am surprised at how much light they put out. Also they have the newer Lithium batteries in them and they last through the night easily. One downside though is on really cloudy days you will have no light as they have no reserve capacity designed into them.

BTW my house is the one that glows at night with all the solar lights outside. Yes.. I am that guy.

I'm disappointed in you. You may be "green" but now you admit to light pollution. tisk tisk