How to determine the direction and inclination when installing solar street lights

Solar street lights rely on solar panels to convert light energy into electrical energy. The installation direction and tilt angle of solar panels directly affect their sunshine time and light intensity, thereby affecting the overall power generation efficiency. A reasonable installation angle can not only increase power generation, but also reduce the energy consumption pressure in system operation, extend battery life, and ensure lighting stability.

Geographical location determines the orientation of solar panels
The installation orientation of solar street lights should be scientifically planned according to the geographical latitude of the area and the average annual trajectory of the sun. In most areas of the northern hemisphere, including mainland China, solar panels should be installed facing south. South-facing orientation can maximize the reception of solar radiation throughout the year and improve power generation efficiency.
In areas of the southern hemisphere, it should be installed facing north. The accuracy of the orientation should be controlled within a deviation of no more than ±10 degrees to ensure that the solar panel can face the sun as long as possible.

The tilt angle should match the local latitude
The tilt angle of the solar panel refers to the angle between the surface of the solar panel and the horizon. In the standard design, the inclination of the solar panel should be close to the local latitude. It is usually recommended to set it equal to the local latitude plus 5 to 10 degrees to enhance the reception efficiency of low-angle sunlight in winter.
For example:
The latitude of Beijing is about 40°, and the recommended inclination is 40° to 45°;
The latitude of Guangzhou is about 23°, and the recommended inclination is 25° to 30°;
The latitude of Urumqi is about 43°, and the recommended inclination is 45° to 50°.
This setting can comprehensively optimize the power generation performance in different seasons throughout the year, especially in the winter when the sunshine is weak.

Seasonal adjustment of angle to cope with light differences
In some areas with extremely high requirements for lighting stability, such as high latitudes or areas with obvious seasonal light differences, an adjustable bracket system can be used to manually or automatically adjust the inclination of solar panels according to the season.
In summer, it is recommended to reduce the inclination angle to reduce the reflection loss of high-angle sunlight;
In winter, it is recommended to increase the inclination angle to receive low-angle sunlight and prevent snow from accumulating on the panel surface.
This strategy is suitable for scenes with special requirements for lighting continuity, such as public transportation stations, border patrol roads, and high-cold mountainous areas.

The installation location should avoid interference from obstructions
The installation environment of solar street lights should ensure that the light is unobstructed, and avoid shadows formed by obstructions such as trees, poles, and buildings during the day, especially during the peak power generation period from 9 am to 3 pm.
Obstruction not only reduces power generation, but may also cause some areas of the solar panel to work in a high temperature state for a long time, forming a "hot spot effect" and accelerating component aging or damage. Therefore, before actual installation, a sunshine meter, shading analysis software, or drone aerial photography should be used for site assessment to ensure that the sunshine resources are stable and unobstructed.

The arrangement direction of street lights should take into account the direction of the road
In the road lighting system, the arrangement of solar street lights is usually set along the direction of the road. If the road direction is not east-west or north-south, but has a certain deflection angle, it should be adjusted separately according to the angle of the solar panel mounting bracket to ensure that the panel is still facing the main direction of the sun (due south or due north), rather than blindly keeping consistent with the street light pole or lamp arm.
A rotating bracket design can be used to separate the solar panel from the main body of the street light and orient it independently to ensure that the photovoltaic module obtains the best light conditions.

Installation under special terrain conditions should be adjusted individually
Under complex terrain conditions such as mountainous areas, hills, islands, and border defenses, the orientation and tilt setting of solar street lights should be flexibly adjusted. If the sun rises at a large time, the panel can be slightly offset to the east or west by fine-tuning the direction to increase the power generation in the morning or evening.
For coastal environments, it is recommended that the panel tilt angle is slightly larger, which not only increases the receiving area of oblique light, but also helps to reduce the dust accumulation and corrosion caused by sea breeze.

Panel angle affects drainage and cleaning efficiency
The tilt angle of solar panels also affects their self-cleaning performance and drainage efficiency. Too small a tilt angle can easily cause rainwater to accumulate and dust to accumulate, affecting light; a reasonable tilt angle is conducive to natural rainwater flushing, reducing maintenance frequency, and improving the stability of the overall system operation.
It is generally recommended that the tilt angle be no less than 15 degrees, and it is better to set the tilt angle above 30 degrees in areas with more rain and snow. For deserts and areas with high wind and sand, vibration cleaning or pneumatic cleaning equipment can be used to reduce the impact of dust accumulation.