Solar power, also known as photovoltaic or PV power, has been around for quite some time but despite its potential to produce clean energy, PV systems were not commonly implemented until recent years. The main reasons in the past for limited use were a high initial cost, system inefficiencies and low power production. Also, PV systems produce DC electrical power, which cannot be power many traditional loads without conversion and battery storage, which also introduce efficiency losses.

The current pattern of rising conventional energy consumption cannot be sustained in the near future has led to growing need to promote the use of renewable energy technologies in an environmentally sustainable manner. Among others, solar photovoltaics has gained wider acceptance due to proven maturity of the technology and ease in use. One major area of recent growth and expansion in the PV field has been in the implementation of solar powered LEDs for lighting applications.

Why should I use PV LED systems?

Unlike many standard electrical loads, LEDs can work effectively off DC electrical power. Solar LED lighting products also come with the added benefits of energy savings, meeting environmental goals, power reduction, safety, reliability, long life, easy installation and virtually no maintenance. Photovoltaic LED applications can be widely used in green lighting, road lighting, marketing and signage applications, traffic signaling, automotive and aerial panels, urban landscape lighting, home lighting systems and more.

Solar LED lighting has other benefits as well, including, a small opening angle, point size, high brightness, light scattering that is highly directional, good optical uniformity and other factors that are fostering its application in the lighting field.

Solar LED Innovations

Through the structure of traditional solar lighting, intelligent controllers, the angle of light reflection and technical improvements are making LED usage more conducive to photovoltaic applications.

In recent years, solar PV has been coupled with LEDs to provide more energy efficient light. Recent advancements in LED technology have led to the development of white light emitting diodes WLEDs. WLEDs provide a bright white light that’s ideal for domestic lighting. The advantage of using LEDs with solar PV systems is that the LED requires much lower wattage, therefore the size and the cost of the solar system is much reduced for each system. For indicator and signaling applications, use of a filter, diffuser or lens allows use of WLEDs in other areas as well as standard PV lighting applications.

VCC has LEDs, lenses, lite pipes and all the components you may need to implement LEDs into your photovoltaic powered system. Contact us today and talk to our LED experts!