Indoor Lighting

An Intelligent Streetlight Infrastructure – The Foundation of the Smart City

An intelligent streetlight infrastructure is the first and easiest step in the path to creating a Smart City as it serves as the foundation or backbone network to deliver services that benefit citizens, businessesand city government. At the heart of this infrastructure, is LED-based lighting and sensor technology that is built into intelligent streetlights and complimentary devices. Initially these technologies allow cities to implement emerging Smart City applications that enable them to reduce energy waste, improve public safety through traffic monitoring and video analytics, monitor environmental conditions, improve operational efficiency through services like smart parking and waste management, and encourage revenue generation through EV charging and digital signage.

Grounded in a rich history of creating smart and connected controls products for a wide range of industrial applications operating in challenging environments, CIMCON’s smart lighting solutions are perfectly suited for any city moving to “smart” as its lighting solutions are network and spectrum agnostic, and run over a variety of LPWAN networking technologies including Zigbee, 6LoWPAN, RPMA, and AMI networks, ISM and Sub-GHz radio and Mesh networking technologies.

CIMCON’s smart lighting solution consists of three main components:

An Intelligent Street Light Controller (SLC) platform that continuously monitors and controls an LED fixture or light point. The SLC consists of a wireless mesh radio with self-forming, self-healing and optimal path (least hop) capabilities that provide robust and geographically spread wireless connectivity throughout the city. The SLC supports flexible power options (from 120V to 480V AC), location detection, energy metering, dimming and ruggedized construction. The SLC is proven to work in harsh weather and extreme environmental conditions such as sun loading and extreme temperatures; and on a city’s dirty power grids or in the presence of poor power quality.
A Wireless Gateway serves as an IP (or WAN) Network attachment point for intelligent wireless lighting controllers (iSLCs) to communicate with CIMCON’s cloud-based Central Management System (CMS). The gateway provides flexible backhaul communications options over WAN wired (Ethernet/Wi-Fi/fiber) and wireless (cellular 3G/LTE) technologies and consists of a local mesh radio connecting to the cluster of SLCs over a private wireless mesh network.
Cloud-based Central Management System is comprised of web-based central management and control software that works in conjunction with CIMCON’s lighting controllers to monitor and control the city’s lighting assets. The CMS help cities, town, municipalities, parking garages, retail malls, auto dealerships, college and business campuses easily control their lighting fixtures to reduce energy, maintenance and repair costs. Accessible from any browser, the CMS provides users with robust capabilities including scheduling, dimming, health monitoring, asset management and fault notifications. The CMS also supports popular standard Web services protocols and Open API capabilities for easy integration with third-party server-based applications, city data platforms, and operation centers to enable new revenue streams for the city, and an improved quality of life for citizens.

The key takeaways and benefits of considering CIMCON’s smart lighting solution are:

Network Agnostic support for a majority of popular LPWAN wireless and mesh technologies.
Simple to setup and install – zero touch configuration
It is proven for city power and harsh outdoor environments.
Enables significant reduction of energy and maintenance costs
Increases public safety from improved lighting
Safer traffic due to increased visibility of hazards
Measurable environmental impact due to reduced energy consumption
Industry-leading/proven Industrial IoT Security technology with multi-factor authentication, data and network security.
Network redundancy, scalability and software upgrades of future applications/functionality

CIMCON’s smart lighting solution is uniquely different from similar solutions as its SLC interoperates with and supports a variety of wireless technologies, and its cloud-based CMS application delivers rich capabilities enabling remote control of the lights including ON/OFF, adaptive scheduling/dimming, energy monitoring, fault detection, health monitoring, asset management, graphical visualization overlay of the streetlight network on a city map (Google Map/Google Earth), and a suite of dashboard and reports for operational efficiency.

The importance of implementing a robust, intelligence streetlight infrastructure cannot be understated in the development of the Smart City. It will be the foundation on which a city builds innovative smart city applications that drives a limitless revenue stream.

Look out for future blog posts to learn more, and visit our Website at illumination.bajaj.

How light from street lights and trees influences the activity of urban bats

The team found that the response of bats to artificial light was intensified in areas with high tree cover. Credit: Christian Giese.

A German study sheds new light on how exactly ultraviolet (UV) emitting and non-UV emitting street lights influence the activity of bats in the Berlin metropolitan area, and whether tree cover might mitigate the effects of light pollution

— by Forschungsverbund Berlin

Artificial light is rightly considered a major social, cultural and economic achievement. Yet, artificial light at night is also said to pose a threat to biodiversity, especially affecting nocturnal species in metropolitan areas. It has become clear that the response by wildlife to artificial light at night might vary across species, seasons and lamp types.

A study conducted by a team led by the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) sheds new light on how exactly ultraviolet (UV) emitting and non-UV emitting street lights influence the activity of bats in the Berlin metropolitan area and whether tree cover might mitigate any effect of light pollution. The study is published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution.

Natural sunlight sets the pace of day and night on our planet. Over millions of years, wildlife and people have adapted to the rhythm of the natural photoperiod. As creatures of daytime, humans have expanded their ecological niche into night-time by inventing and using artificial light. Yet nocturnal animals such as bats may suffer from the detrimental effects of artificial light generated by street lights, a phenomenon now recognized as light pollution. As it turns out, bat responses to light pollution were complex.

“We observed a higher activity of two pipistrelle bat species, the common pipistrelle and Nathusius’ pipistrelle, in areas with high numbers of UV emitting street lights”, explains Tanja Straka, scientist at the IZW’s Department of Evolutionary Ecology and first author of the study. These opportunistic species may feed on insects that are attracted to UV emitting lamps. “However, all other species were less active at and even repelled by the lamps, irrespective of whether the light they emitted did or did not contain UV light”, adds Straka.

The novelty of this study is that these effects were considered in relation to tree cover. Not only do trees provide bats with shelter during daytime, trees may also provide shade for bats in illuminated areas. “Our goal was to determine whether and how tree cover influences any responses of bats to artificial light”, says Straka.

The team found that the response of bats to artificial light was intensified in areas with high tree cover. For example, the attraction of Pipistrellus pipistrellus to UV light was more pronounced when many trees were present, probably because UV light attracted insects from the vegetation. On the other hand mouse-eared bats (Myotis spp.) were less frequently recorded in areas with a high number of street lights (irrespective of UV or no UV emission) and lots of trees. Mouse-eared bats seem to be particularly light-sensitive and avoid illuminated areas even when these include trees or shrubs.

The team also found that high-flying insectivorous bats were more active in areas when the light emission from LED street lanterns was dampened by a high tree coverage than in areas with many LED lanterns and no trees. LED lights do not attract large numbers of insects and therefore they are not attractive as foraging grounds for high-flying bats; they might even be repelled by light spillover from LED lamps. Tree cover seems to reduce light spillover, which enable high-flying bats to fly in the shadow of the tree canopy”, Straka explains.

These results are based on the analysis of more than 11,000 bat calls recorded during three months at 22 sites in the Berlin city area. Bat calls were identified by species and the activity of bats was calculated for each species and site. These data were compared with features of the landscape, such as tree cover and the intensity of light pollution as estimated by remote sensing (i.e. satellite based data). In addition, the exact location of street lights and information on UV light emission was used to estimate the level of light pollution in the study area.

“The bottom line is that for bats the relation between artificial light and vegetation is complex and it varies between species, yet overall artificial light at night has negative consequences for bats”, concludes Christian Voigt, the Head of Department. “Even those species that may hunt at street lights opportunistically will suffer on the long run from the constant drain of insects dying at street lights. Trees are important for urban bats, not only as a shelter but also as a source for prey insects. Hence artificial light should be avoided in habitats with many trees.”

Adding trees in highly lit areas or turning off lights when the area is not in use could substantially contribute to the conservation of bats and possibly also other nocturnal wildlife, because trees provide shade and refuge that bats urgently need.

Light In Architecture

Light is not built, but its perception defines the spaces and forms of architecture. It renders texture and materials, illuminates surfaces and creates atmosphere. It also has a profound effect on the biological and emotional aspects of our daily lives. It affects the whole of our alertness, wellbeing and performance. We know that how we light our surroundings affects our visual understanding and aesthetic appreciation as well as our biological and emotional health. Greater focus on how we illuminate our surroundings by varying the strength, quality and color of light over time, expands our abilities as architects to amplify daily living.

But this can be rather challenging for any designer. Scientific studies have defined optimal levels of light that have the most positive effects with regards to human alertness and wellbeing. But trying to research and implement these guidelines takes a whole lot of persistence and time. Thankfully we have all the benefits of natural light at our disposal. With a little thought and simple intuition, we can shape our structures to take advantage of the renewable and ecological benefits of natural lighting while manipulating the sun’s radiance by using built form to favor desired effects; whether they be practical, theatrical, biological or emotional. The objective is to capture, redirect, shade, or frame the sun’s luminescence to amplify or reinforce daily living within our structures.

Orientation
The simplest move in natural lighting design is to orient the structure and shape of the building on site to give the main living spaces the best solar advantage. Bedrooms, closets, and utility spaces can be located on the shadier side of the structure. Naturally there are other factors like vegetation, topography and nearby buildings that can interfere with the sun’s path, but generally, in our part of the world, the important living spaces are best oriented toward the south.

Shading and Redirecting Sunlight
Once we invite the sun into our rooms, we might need to temper its strength. There are a number of ways to modify the intensity of the sun’s direct rays. We most often rely on fabric shades or blinds, but we can shape the walls of the structure to recess a window deeply into the interior and slant the opening in the surrounding walls to reduce the amount of direct sunlight. I am a fan of large roof overhangs and cantilevers that allow ambient light into the spaces below but eliminate direct harsh light. Wide eaves temper the sun’s summer light and allow the weaker winter rays to penetrate more deeply into the space.

Focusing Sunrays
There are certain circumstances when it is desirable to capture and frame the sun’s rays to highlight a small area or valued object. A discrete skylight set deeply into the roof structure or a solar tube, gathers and intensifies light so that it creates a pool of intense illumination. Framing members that pinch the opening, control the extent and shape of the beams.

Diffusing Sunlight
It is often desirable to soften sunlight in order to create a uniform and restful atmosphere. The Louisiana Art Museum near Copenhagen has a wing in which the entire roof is made of translucent panels that filter and even out the sunlight. There are no shadows in the room, no hot spots. Each painting is uniformly illuminated. Translucent panels can be used in residential spaces as well to evenly light an entire room or nook. As the hours pass, I have found that this filtered light from above, changes hues ever so subtlety, marking the passage of time.

Marking Time
Direct sunlight and shadows can mark the passage of time as well. Exterior trellises, wing walls and vegetation can cast shadows and patterns that move across the floor and walls as the sun makes it journey across the sky. Our circadian rhythms are thus reinforced.

These are but a few tools we have to take advantage of natural lighting. If we pay attention to how the sun plays on our built environment, we can begin to shape our structures in response.

A few years ago, a contractor asked if I would help he and his wife design a new home for themselves. The contractor and I had worked together early in my career on a project that would prove seminal to their request. I was somewhat conflicted about the proposition because the delivery posited that the design work would be limited.

I mean no disrespect when I say architects hear versions of this a lot. I only need a plan; I already know what I want; I just need a little design. The message rarely reveals the cause, which is typically a fear of unknown cost or a simple lack of design knowledge and experience. This is not the fault of the messenger. Our disposable product-based culture does a terrible disservice exemplifying the true value of creative endeavors and durable goods. But I digress.

In hindsight, I had misread the “limited” nature of the work I was being asked to do. What this couple was really asking for was design work. What they were uniquely able to limit was the amount of technical documentation required to bring the design to life through construction. Below are a few highlights from our collaboration.

Our first visit started like any other, with a walking tour of the property. A previously assumed location for the new house proved inferior to the one ultimately settled on by our walking and talking. This flatter, more open plateau would require fewer trees to be removed and provide a more stable building site, still with walkout access.

My initial sketch for the site detached the garage from the house, placing it opposite a future pole shed for construction storage. The intention was to reduce the overall scale of the house and garage. (When you consider the width and depth of a new three-, or even two-car garage, it often exceeds the overall width of many of our homes, which are kept narrow to provide daylight throughout.) Unfortunately for me—who admittedly didn’t have to live in this rural, northern site and shovel a regular path between three buildings—my argument was understandably lost. The first scheme was revised with the garage attached, but the owners remained sensitive to my garage-to-house ratio argument.

Our conversation and exploration resulted in a two-pitch roof design, familiar in the rural agricultural vernacular of lean-to sheds and farmsteads expanded over time. This kept the primary gabled ridge of the house above that of the low-slung garage and porch roofs, prompting the owners to nickname the house Isanti Shanty!

While considering the roof massing options we were simultaneously exploring design opportunities within the framing structure. Incidentally, the owner is a framer at heart, and employs a framing crew in practice. To maximize the value of experience we explored repetitive framing variations that would create dynamic visual interest and daylight throughout the living space.

Our first effort highlighted an exposed timber or truss frame. Confession: I’m still a little enamored with this one, but ultimately the increased attention to detail and material quality required to expose framing drove this scheme beyond the budget goal. Not to mention the potential for wildlife to gather in the exposed outer rafters! Ultimately, the solution rested on a more common enclosed scissor truss profile running from end to end, broken only at a unique reverse-shed dormer.

Early in the process, the owners had expressed their desire for a Mid-Century bent to the home’s interior. As the structural form of the home began to reference the rural vernacular, I began to struggle with the potential discord between interior and exterior and was open about my concern. Thankfully, the emergence of the unconventional reverse-shed dormer created a language to combine the familiar exterior gabled form with some playful Mid-Century details inside, including the large clerestory, walnut room dividers and a sunken living room.

Even in a project with limited scope, the design solution doesn’t stop at plan and form. Material selection, construction assembly, and energy efficiency are all best considered early in the process. Finding a progressive “best practice” is often a stumbling block when the book-learned architect faces off against the empirically knowledgeable contractor. In this case, the contractor-as-owner was personally motivated to expand his knowledge of continuous exterior insulation—a system proven to elevate energy efficiency but unfamiliar to, or even resisted by, many homebuilders. Here the detailing was especially rewarding because we both brought ideas and materials to the table in energetic dialogue rather than a focus on risk and liability.

Similarly, the owners took the lead on many products and finishes, consulting with me when needed, and sometimes just for fun! Because we had developed the language of the house together—meaning the elements that defined the design—through dialogue, sketching, and computer models, the owners understood what they were going to build.

As thorough as this design process may sound, it really was just the beginning. For most clients, this initial, yet very complex exploration of alternatives and solutions, still needs to be exhaustively documented to ensure that the chosen contractor understands the solution in order to accurately price and build the design. It was only because owner and builder were one in the same, and took on the responsibilities of documentation, that the project could successfully leap from design solution to construction. Architecture lighting LTD.

Energy conservation with efficient LED lighting solution

Lighting accounts for about 20 percent of the total energy usage worldwide, approximately 1,944 terawatt hours. Because lighting is relatively simple to upgrade, the trend in recent years is to switch to LEDs. Doing so greatly improves energy efficiency, mitigating impacts of global warming and reducing energy dependence.

What is an LED light?

A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor light source that emits light when current flows through it. Appearing as practical electronic components in 1962, the earliest LEDs emitted low-intensity infrared light mainly used in remote-control circuits. The first visible-light LEDs were of low intensity and limited to red. Continuous and intensive research and development work into the LED technology led to the development of the first generation of super-bright red, yellow, and green LEDs in the early years of the 1980s. The breakthrough came when ultra-bright blue LEDs were subsequently invented, which formed the basis for the development of cost-efficient and supremely functional white LED lights that are now commonly installed in commercial and manufacturing spaces across the world.

Modern LEDs lights are much more efficient than the first generation LEDs with about 95% of LED bulbs’ energy being spent on light, and only 5% on heat. Thus, LED lights use an impressive 80 percent less energy and last 25 times longer as well than their incandescent counterparts. LED lights have become cost-efficient as well, to be installed on a large scale.

Increasing efficiency and savings

The evolution of LEDs as a source of white light has progressed dramatically in the last two decades, especially in terms of efficacy, measured in output lumens/input watts. The increase in efficacy has been achieved primarily through advances in LED chip technology, and is helping to drive LED adoption. LED products are also more affordable than incandescent bulbs over their life cycle, because their power requirements are lower and the bulbs themselves can last more than 10 years, and compared to incandescent bulbs they are replacing, which often last up to a year or so.

Because LEDs are semiconductor devices, integrating additional electronics in the bulbs, such as occupancy and daylight sensors connected to a network interface, provides the bulbs with new functions. This design enables, for example, the automatic dimming of lights when there’s sufficient natural light in the room, and it senses the presence of people in a room and adjusts overhead lighting accordingly. These capabilities not only provide the optimal amount of lighting throughout a building but also save energy and money.

LEDs also help lower electricity costs in exterior lighting systems. Those used in parking lots, garages, and walkways can be configured to automatically dim or turn lights off when sensors detect an unoccupied area, and much faster than today’s systems. This type of automation is an especially attractive cost-saving option for cities where almost half of electricity budget is devoted towards illumination of streets during the night. LED bulbs are also less prone to cracks and fractures and less susceptible to damage from external temperatures making it more robust and durable than traditional bulbs. Moreover, LEDs lose power incrementally, which allows for easier replacements.

Moreover, LEDs serve as the foundation of networked lighting systems that also provide information to other systems connected to an internal building management network. For example, the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems could be alerted that certain parts of the building are empty, and could adjust the temperature or shut off the air conditioning entirely.

Impact of LED lights on economy and environment

Usable electrical energy is a scarce resource worldwide, and as such, the first step towards energy security must be towards encouraging industry and consumers to use energy more efficiently. The use of energy efficient lighting in form of LED lights ensures growth, by making the industries more profitable and competitive.

A light source that requires less energy for the same glow is naturally better for the environment. It’s estimated that the global adoption of LED light bulbs could reduce CO2 emissions by 500 million metric tonnes a year. In India alone, there is massive adoption of LED bulbs across all sectors, be it industrial lighting, street lighting, home lighting, etc. It is estimated that the country will reduce its CO2 emissions by 80 million tonnes on a year on year basis by adoption of LED bulbs alone.

Additionally, LEDs use less chemicals than some other light products, especially fluorescent lights which typically contain toxic elements like mercury. Fluorescent lights have typically been most common in business use, but they’re gradually being replaced by more cost-effective LED.

The primary reason behind the rise of the LED bulb is the clear-cut money saving opportunity it provides on a recurring basis. Though the initial investment in an LED bulb is a little higher than a similar output incandescent bulb, it more than makes up for it with its better durability, robustness and added service life. Over and above this it also promises a cleaner and greener environment.

Renewable energy and power efficiency management are rightfully seen as important factors for environment conservation. LED is quietly making a phenomenal impact on so many aspects of our lives – from domestic electricity bills, to national economies, and to the very air that we breathe.

BRIGHT IDEAS AT THE FORUM

Last month the programme makers of Channel 4’s ‘Double Your House for Half the Money’ filmed the lighting effects at The Forum. Their intention was to show how the clever use of lighting in the building could be applied on a much smaller scale in a domestic kitchen.

Whatever the scale, a successful lighting scheme is made up of several layers: natural, general, ambient, accent, concealed and task light. Whether illuminating an architectural lighting ltd, defining a focal area, or using task light for a specific job, the combination of these layers can enliven spaces and create a stimulating environment.

General down lighting for example can be enhanced with other light features, to help define different zones. Concealed/back lit lighting is an imaginative and cost effective way to create focal lighting when used in conjunction with a more general down-lighting.

Architectural features can also be illuminated in a subtle way. The use of LED lighting, suspended ceiling rafts and wall panels can play an important part in achieving this effect. As a contrast to concealed lighting, feature pendant lights can also have a big impact in a room and help define focal areas.

Lighting at the Forum

Lighting at The Forum in Southend had to meet the requirements of three client partners: Southend Borough Council, the University of Essex and South Essex College. Arranged around a linear naturally-lit atrium the building provides a shared municipal and academic library, teaching and study areas, a lecture theatre, a cafe and a gallery.

This presented the team with the challenge of providing lighting for different uses and functions whilst balancing natural and artificial light

The Forum has three main internal lighting zones:

General lighting in the main circulation zones, atrium, study areas

Focal hanging pendants in main entrance and around the perimeter of each floor

In-direct/concealed lighting in the feature ceiling rafts, wall panels, joinery work and on the staircase

Main Entrance

Lighting in the main entrance creates a dynamic and welcoming first impression, whilst also helping with orientation. Suspended, acoustic ceiling rafts and illuminated white globe balls are the main feature as you enter the building. This creates a ‘wow’ factor and helps direct visitors towards the reception area.

The ceiling rafts represent pages of a book making reference to the activities within the building. The globes highlight the rafts and help accentuate the surrounding space and height of the entrance area. The clean, white features are a great contrast to the exposed concrete soffit and adjacent accent coloured walls.

Concealed, coloured LED lighting is located above the skirting to the reception desk. A slim flexible fitting was specified and an orange colour render programmed in to fit with the colour palette of The Forum brand.

Atrium

Balancing natural and artificial light in the atrium was a key consideration.

Natural daylight floods into the central atrium via roof lights above. Walls are washed in natural daylight at certain times of the day.

General lighting is provided using wall lights.

Key elements of the walnut clad staircase are highlighted using back lit /concealed LED linear lights. The effect is very distinctive and a great contrast to the general lighting in the atrium.

Internal – Zoned areas to upper floors

The upper floors provide accommodation for the Council Library, University of Essex and South Essex College. Much of the floor plate is open plan. A variety of lighting has been used to help define the different study zones.

General, linear fluorescent lighting located in study areas provides sufficient lux levels for a working environment.

The LED back-lit, circular acoustic ceiling rafts create focal areas at strategic points across the floor. Their distinctive shape and ambient glow helps define a change in activity from the more formal study areas. They act as building landmarks and aid way-finding.

The pendant globe lights located around the perimeter help to reflect the change of use once again and provide accent lighting at the window (viewed from inside and outside).

The Focal Point Gallery

The space is made up of a series of galleries, display and circulation areas. The strategy for the light fittings had to work with the minimal aesthetic of the galleries.

Three types of light source are provided:

Linear fluorescent fittings are located along circulation areas and within the galleries, providing a general even lighting level.

Display cabinets are internally lit with fluorescent tubes and provide an additional light source in the reception area.

Adjustable lights are located along the main corridor to allow for display work on the walls.

The Educational room is a much smaller, intimate space. The under cupboard lighting and LED back lit pelmet around the perimeter help create a warm, comfortable, informal space.

External Lighting

As one of four major regeneration schemes in Southend, The Forum’s external lighting scheme was important in a creating distinct urban identity.

Internal lighting spills out into the night, illuminating views of the various activities within the building. The Forum’s branding and identity is again highlighted with a large illuminated sign, announcing the entrance. Linear LED light fittings highlight the external end walls and create a geometric pattern in the hard landscaping in front of the building. Pathways are lit by recessed circular lights.

Double Your House for Half the Money

Channel 4’s ‘Double Your House for Half the Money’ will be aired in August this year. The programme follows TV presenter and property developer Sarah Beeny as she takes a family extending their home in Chelmsford, Essex to The Forum to explain how the imaginative use of lighting in the building can be applied in their kitchen.

What are the BEST solar panels to buy for your home in 2019?

Are you thinking of buying solar panels for your home? If so, you’ve probably already estimated solar power’s cost and savings and figured out it’s worth it for you; you’re now on the next step of figuring which brand of solar panel to install.

You’re doing the right thing by doing your research and visiting this page. Solar panels are a big investment that will produce energy for a long time — 25 years or more. With the right brand of solar panels and proper installation, you will go years without any performance or maintenance issues.

So which brand should you choose? Well, we’d like to tell you that there is one brand that is the best in all situations, but that simply isn’t the case. The answer to the question “what is the best solar panel” will vary depending on what’s most important to you as a homeowner: expert assessment, popularity, efficiency, value for money, or some other factor.

This is why we’ve compiled a whole set of rankings of the best solar panels based on a number of different criteria.

The rankings are a mix between manufacturers making premium solar panels — Panasonic, LG Solar and SunPower — and big Chinese manufacturers with more affordable offerings: Canadian Solar and Trina Solar. [No, there’s no mistake in the last sentence: Canadian Solar is actually a Chinese company, although headquartered in Canada].

It’s also interesting to see that despite being the most well-known solar panel brand and having the best performing solar panels, SunPower didn’t earn the #1 spot. Want to know why? Read the experts’ reasons for choosing the best solar panel brands of 2019.

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The 10 best-selling solar panel brands for home

Curious what solar panel models are most popular at the moment? To find out, Solar-Estimate.org compiled data from recent residential solar installations in California, which is the largest solar market in the US by quite a bit.

These are the top 10 solar panel manufacturers based on their use in California home solar installations, along with the top-selling model for each brand.

Panasonic is the #1 solar panel brand used in solar panel installation. They produce excellent solar panels — they were rated #1 by our experts — and they have benefitted from their partnership with Tesla/ SolarCity. However, in recent months Panasonic’s solar panel sales are reported to be declining in parallel with the declining fortunes of the Tesla solar business.

Looked at as a whole, the most popular solar panel brands are a mix of premium and value solar panel brands. The top 3 — Panasonic, SunPower and LG Solar — as well as SolarWorld (at #5) are all premium, while the remaining brands on the list are known for offering great value.

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The best solar panels according to consumer reviews

For this ranking, we turned to our sister site SolarReviews, the leading consumer review site for solar panel manufacturers and solar panel installation companies. Their website has thousands of reviews from American homeowners sharing their solar panel installation experience and performance. This ranking provides great insight into which solar panels are meeting and exceeding customer expectations, as well as how they’re performing in real-world conditions.

Some notes about this ranking:

Solar panel manufacturers regularly update their models and technology. To make sure that our rankings reflect consumer views of newer models, we’ve only used reviews from the last 2 years.
We’ve only included companies with more than 20 reviews to ensure that we’re only considering solar panels that have proven consistent.
We’ve displayed review scores to 3 decimal points to help differentiate between manufacturers with similar ratings.

What’s interesting about this list is that the top 3 brands — Itek Energy, SolarWorld Americas Inc. and Mission Solar Energy — all produce their solar panels within the US. Is this a reflection of the high standards of American manufacturing, the satisfaction of buying American-made products, or the improvement in value after competitors were hit with tariffs? The answer is probably a combination of all three factors.

The specific models of solar panels that are most efficient for homes

The importance of solar panel efficiency can be overplayed by manufacturers looking to charge a premium price for the most efficient modules.

Solar panel efficiency is taken into account when a panel is rated at a specific wattage. That means that a 300 watt solar panel with a high efficiency rating and a 300 watt panel with lower efficiency, with all else equal, will produce the same amount of power. It’s just that the more efficient panel will use slightly less space.

Of course, there are some situations where efficiency matters, for example if you are working with a very small roof. If that’s you, getting the highest efficiency panels available will allow you to maximize solar output.

Here are the most efficient brands of solar panels based on the highest efficiency panel they offer:

What solar cell technologies do the best solar panels use?

There are three types of technology utilized in the solar panels available on the market today. These are monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film amorphous. It is difficult to say which technology is best because there is often a tradeoff between maximum cell efficiency and value. You can see the pros and cons of different types of solar cells, and decide which one is best for your needs.

What are the five best manufacturers of polycrystalline solar panels

Regarding volume, there are far more polycrystalline solar panels produced than monocrystalline modules.

Polycrystalline modules are typically less efficient than monocrystalline modules, but they are also usually much more cost effective. Sometimes they can be as much as 30-40% cheaper than the most efficient brands of monocrystalline panels but produce a similar amount of power per panel.

This cost difference is why polycrystalline panels are the most popular globally even though they are not the most efficient panel type.

Trina Solar
ReneSola America
REC Solar
Canadian Solar
Jinko Solar

What are the five best brands of monocrystalline solar panels?

The best brands of monocrystalline solar panels are also the most efficient solar panels on the market.

Sunpower X Series
LG Solar
Panasonic HIT panels
Sunpreme
Upsolar

You can head over to SolarReviews to learn more about solar panel efficiency, and see which other brands are highly rated for efficiency.

The best solar panels in terms of cost and value for money

The Tier 1 Chinese solar panel manufacturers dominate our list of the best value solar panel brands. The only exception in the list below is REC Solar, which is a Singaporean company. Each of these companies is large and has established a reputation for excellent manufacturing quality:

Canadian Solar
Trina Solar
Jinko Solar
REC Group
ReneSola

The solar import tariffs imposed at the start of 2018 have chipped away at their cost advantage but they are still cheaper compared to some of the best premium solar brands.

You’ve chosen what you think is the best manufacturer of solar panels – what else do you need to consider?

There is a range of other factors to look at when deciding about solar panel installation. Take all of the following into account when planning your system:

Solar system size: How large a system you need depends on the size of your home and your energy requirements. Check out this resource to calculate the number of solar panels you need and how much space they would take up.
Local tax benefits and incentives: The 30% solar tax credit is available everywhere, but there are lots of additional incentives offered by state governments and utilities. New York, for example, offers thousands of dollars of state tax credits on solar panel purchases. Check what incentives are available in your state and use them to reduce the cost of your solar panels
Brand availability in your area: Your preferred solar installer may not stock your first choice solar panel. If that’s the case, check our SolarReviews for information and reviews about the solar panels they are offering you. If your heart is set on a specific brand of solar panels, find the brand on SolarReviews and scroll down the page to find a contractor in your area.
Finding a reliable solar installer: The booming solar industry has attracted a lot of great installation companies but also large companies with impersonal service as well as fly-by-night operations. Safeguard your investment by checking consumer reviews on SolarReviews before settling on an installer. Better yet, request free, no-obligation solar quotes from multiple installers through Solar-Estimate.org’s solar calculator. We’ll ensure that you are only contacted by professional, pre-screened solar installers that have a track record of successful installations and positive reviews.

MULTIPLE BENEFITS OF SMART LIGHTING SOLUTIONS IN SMART CITIES

he role of smart lighting solutions in the intelligent transformation of cities and buildings has gained momentum in the past years. This development will continue in the coming years based on increased connectivity and industrial internet of things (IIoT) solutions becoming a key element in most smart city strategies around the globe.

The opportunities that cities can seize with the installation of smart lighting solutions go far beyond value creation through energy (cost) and maintenance savings (which are huge considering that as much as 40 percent of a city’s energy budget is consumed by street lighting and new efficient lighting can save up to 50% of these costs as a result of increased energy efficiency) or the improvement of the environmental impact.

Smart lighting as backbone for IoT applications

The installation of smart lighting solutions can play a key role in a smart city strategy, in which street and other exterior lighting installations serve as backbone of a network in which services are delivered to the benefit of citizens, businesses and the city government.

Today, most cities that install new smart lighting or retrofit existing fixtures choose systems that already are equipped with sensor technology or that can be upgraded easily to utilize the advantages of IoT applications.

Modern smart lighting products can help cities in monitoring the environment, to increase public- and traffic-safety, to upgrade connectivity as WiFi hotspots or to deliver location-based services like smart parking and smart navigation.

Examples of smart lighting solutions in cities

A wide range of leading smart cities has already taken advantage of the benefits that smart lighting solutions offer. A few examples of street and other exterior lighting solutions:

The City of Copenhagen has improved energy efficiency, lowered operational costs (energy cost savings of approximately 60%), enabled remote lighting management and control, and – as a result – improved citizen safety.
In the German City of Wipperfürth, a city-wide intelligent lighting network has been installed which feeds local information to the smartphones of citizens and visitors via Bluetooth. By using a downloadable app, smartphone users can access information about local retailers, special offers, company information, directional aides and smart parking.
The City of London and the Borough of Barking and Dagenham is deploying more than 28,000 smart street lights via a platform-as-a-service solution. The platform ensures 100% coverage in the dense urban setting where cellular technology is often unavailable. The deployment of smart lighting will help to achieve energy savings goals, lead to a reduction of operational costs, improve service reliability and function as platform for future IoT applications.
Bristol City Council, United Kingdom, have replaced their original street lighting with a new energy efficient solution to substantially reduce operating costs, increase safety and create ideal driving conditions. The city has replaced 20,000 street lights, generating cost savings of 1 million British pounds per year.
In San Jose and Los Angeles (both USA) and in Barcelona (Spain) smart lighting solutions are used to provide mobile broadband connectivity. The light poles can be remotely managed and offer a WiFi hotspot that improves mobile network performance across the city. Further IoT functionality can be added.
Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, is an excellent example for exterior lighting solutions in public spaces. Here, WiFi-enabled interactive streetlight outside the football stadium and event arena was installed that features 360-degree LED lighting and CCTV. The system can be upgraded to include additional functionality.

Key takeaways for considering smart lighting solutions

Smart lighting solutions using networked technology represent an interesting opportunity for cities or communities that want to get smarter. The key benefits are:

huge reduction of energy and maintenance cost
increased public safety from improved lighting
safer traffic due to increased visibility of hazards;
measurable environmental impact due to reduced energy consumption

Through their function as a platform for smart city services, additional opportunities can be seized:

mobile broadband connectivity
traffic light controls
smart parking
traffic management
electric vehicle (EV) charging stations
environmental monitoring (emissions, noise)
public safety through video cameras

Smart lighting can be a backbone for a smart city network. However, cities should be aware of different existing systems and technologies. Compatibility, data security, and network redundancy issues should be taken into account early on. And, of course, scalability in terms of the overall network size as well as in terms of upgrades of future applications/functionality should be considered.

The Importance Of Light In Our Architecture

Light: wave or substance? Light is not built, but its perception is a cultural interpretation and can be designed. How do you define a dark room? How do you define a patio? What is a narrow street on a summer evening? The spaces we design are light pickers, quiet or intense light, artificial light or natural light.

There are examples in contemporary architecture that have used light in a masterly way. In contemporary architecture, for example, RCR Arquitectes, recently awarded the Pritzker Prize, define their architecture as “the quest for the essence between the program and the place” and undoubtedly is through the control of light and materials as they get each space to show the user its own personality calmly. All of this is reflected in the video by Isaki Lacuesta shared by HIC arquitectura that goes beyond the image, moving explaining variations of light in space. They seem united, light-space-time, inseparable companions.

On the opposite side, Selgas Cano, as Le Corbusier did, plays with light and color of materials, which is only the reflection of the visible spectrum of light on a material. This was demonstrated by the studio in projects such as the Serpentine Gallery or Second Home. The architects of Madrid used ETFE in different versions to create a structure with minimal structural interventions that maximize the entrance of light; With a hypnotizing kaleidoscopic effect.

Serpentine Gallery pavilion by Selgas Cano (image by George Rex on Flickr. Creative Commons Licence).

In other buildings, such as Peter Zumthor‘s Therme Vals, the light becomes almost unreal by combining it with the darkness of materials, stone, reflections on the water and steam, which builds a unique atmosphere.

Therme Vals in Switzerland by Peter Zumthor (images by redeye flight on Flickr. Creative Commons Licence).

Jean Nouvel has already demonstrated his mastery of light control with a technological façade at the Arab World Institute in Paris. In the Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi project, the idea of light control, in a more monumental and less technological way, is taken up with a structural cover inspired by the traditional lattices of Arab culture.

Arab World Institute in Paris by Jean Nouvel (image by Yann Caradec on Flickr. Creative Commons Licence).

In our projects we have worked with light in different ways; Specifically, we have used it as a structure, as an element to provide depth or as a physical color. Light is always an essential element to take into account, but in some of our works this fact is appreciated with special clarity.

We use architectural lighting ltd as a structure, for example, in Ali Mohammed T. Al-Ghanim Clinic, the courtyards carved in the volume provide natural light to each and every clinic, and the metallic mesh of geometric pattern allows adequate and precise light to pass through.

Ali Mohammed T. Al-Ghanim Clinic by AGi architects (image by Nelson Garrido.

From the point of view of the depth provided by the light, we have created Credit One, a project whose façade is the centerpiece, a light source that aims to attract drivers. This luminosity is achieved by louvers that, while protecting the building from the sun, generate reflections thanks to its different finishes (mirror and orange) and orientations.

As physical color, we find the light that materializes in our last example. Green Core has a core that fulfils the goal of providing luminosity to a very dense volume through a green metallic mesh that disperses the light through the whole

Need for SOLAR LIGHTING SYSTEM in every home?

Barefoot products are an exquisite combination of modern technology and high-end engineering process.Barefoot connect 600 is completely solar-powered lighting and phone-charging solution.The Barefoot Connect 600 includes four bright LED lamps, charger controller, and 6 W panel. The product is designed to light up the home for the whole family, even the entrance to their homes. With a bright light, families can enjoy the activities together, kids can have longer hours to study, charge a mobile phone, listen to the radio or just cool off in front of a fan. The whole family can enjoy a meal at night together under this solar lighting.

The high-tech controller contains a maintenance-free battery that is protected from the environment and from tampering. The controller maximizes the battery life via four-stage charging and multiple protection circuits while the LED indicators to show how much energy is left in the battery.

This plug and play system comes with wiring clips and wall-screws for a neat and easy installation that doesn’t require an electrician.

Product Highlight:

The Barefoot Connect 600 is a solar light and phone-charging solution. It provides light and charging power for your family home, shop or clinic.
Simple plug-and-play installation does not require an electrician or trained service person. All necessary components are included for a fast, neat and easy installation.
A high-tech controller extends the life of your battery and provides constant power through the USB and 12V outputs.
The four bright LED lamps can light up four rooms at once providing light for studying, socializing or income-generating activities.
Two USB outputs allow charging two phones or devices at once, keeping you and your family connected and contactable.
Barefoot Power provides a 24-month warranty on all Connect systems and components.

Battery	Solar Panel	Run Time
12V, 4Ah	6W	4 Lamps 6 Hours

LED Stadium & Sports Lighting

Types of Sports Field Lighting

1. Football Field & Stadium Lights

Installing lighting in a football field or a stadium can provide a number of benefits to the fans, players, and administration. Some of the benefits of having football fields and stadium lights include flexibility planning of matches, security of people in the stadium, and enhancement of the fans’ experience. Based on your needs, you can decide to have temporary or permanent stadium lights.

Temporary lights are self-contained units. They are portable and mostly used for specific games or events. Permanent lights are fixed on poles for long-term solutions. Based on your budget and your needs, you can choose between the two options.

5 Tips for buying football field or stadium lights

Lighting football fields and stadiums is an experience that continues to get better with time. When the lights are installed, players have some lights directed to them. This helps them to play well and the spectators can be able to see clearly. Choosing football field and stadium lights might be a challenge to many people. If you are planning to install the lights in your football field or stadium, here are some tips that will ensure you pick the best.

a. Check the beam angle

Beam angle commands how the light is dispersed in the field. If the angle is narrow, the light uniformity is low. But if the angle is wide, the light regularity is high. Therefore, the lights you pick must have proper beam angles to create a balance in the stadium.

b. Go for quality lights

Always go for high-quality lights that can provide enough brightness and cool temperature to the football field. Although there are several top brands to choose from, you need to ensure you pick the best. Happily, the malfunction rate of field and stadium lights is low. But make sure you go for the high-quality ones.

c. Choose waterproof lights

The effectiveness and longevity of football field lights depend on a number of factors. One factor is being waterproof. Since the lights can be affected by conditions such as humidity and water, you cannot neglect the factor. Therefore, check the ratings to ensure they can perform well under the harsh weather.

d. Consider heat dissipation

The stadium lights can easily get damaged due to overheating. A good system should have proper ventilation. So, when choosing the lights, consider ones that are made of pure aluminum. This is because more advanced aluminum has the highest conductivity rate.

e. Glare ratings

Even though most people do not consider the glare rate when choosing the football field and stadium lights, it is an essential factor when it comes to sports lighting. This is because when the glare is too much, it can cause visual discomfort to footballers and the fans.

Football fields and stadiums have benefited a lot from the lighting system. They have improved the security of the fans and footballers. Moreover, the neighbors and the business around the stadiums have benefited. But when planning to install the lights, ensure you follow the rules and consult the neighboring community to ensure the light does not drop to their home.

2. Tennis Court Lights

When you are looking to install a tennis court on your property, or as part of an upgrade on rental or commercial properties, an integral part of the court will obviously be the equipment including rackets, balls, and of course the net. The court itself, whether an artificial turf, clay, or real grass, will likely have some fencing or other types of the surrounding enclosure to keep errant balls from being hit outside and damaging passing cars or buildings, or other property. As important as all these considerations are, what if you are a busy person who works all day, and only has time to play on your court in the evenings? You will want to consider lighting for your court, of course.

a. How to achieve better lighting for tennis court

When considering illuminating your tennis court, the proper lighting decisions can often seem intimidating to make. You may not know the structural supports, wattage, or even type of light bulb you will need. You will be walking into this in the dark, so to speak. The good thing is, you will be able to talk to an expert who installs tennis court lighting professionally. Online, you will likely find companies who do this close to your location, or at least within reasonable driving distance. You can either go to their offices or warehouses or have a knowledgeable expert come to you. In either case, they will have the right equipment and expertise to fit your needs, setting you up with the correct array of lights, their supports, and sufficient wattage to make your court bright enough for you to play those evening or late-night games.

b. Cost & installation

Once you know what sort of lighting packages are offered, those within your price range can be considered, and you can choose one to your liking. You can look for the aesthetics of each package that suits your taste and your court’s plan. Then, you can choose to install it yourself, having the hardware and fixtures delivered to your property. A better way to go, unless you have a lot of experience in electrical work, is to have a professional install the lighting in your tennis court. This way you are guaranteed a professional installation, and we will offer a warranty on their work if anything goes wrong within a set period of time. The peace of mind that comes with having a professional tennis court lighting specialist install the fixtures, supports, and of course the light bulbs will ensure you have the correct placements and wattage to make your games at night illuminated enough to see the ball!

The great exercise and benefits that come from having a tennis court on your property are lessened if you can’t play after work when it gets dark. You may find that when you are faced with choosing the lighting for this task, it is more than you think you can handle. Rest assured, by consulting with experts in the field you will be able to find the exact equipment you need so that you can play well into the evenings.

3. Cricket Field Lights

Good and proper lighting is essential to the success of any sporting event. Irrespective of whether the sport is played outdoor or indoor, as a leisure activity or as a professional championship, in daylight or at night, the importance of proper lighting remains the same and can never be downplayed. And with the increasing demands of HD broadcasting, increasing audience and the need to play at night, the demands of proper flood light for cricket stadium or venues have never been this high. So, what are some of the most important things to consider when lighting a cricket field?

a. Getting an evenly Spread Illumination

Getting a consistent level of evenly spread lighting across the playing field is very fundamental. In cricket, the objects of observation such as the ball and the puck move very fast in random directions and their angular sizes may vary greatly. For players, referees and of course, players to watch these movements as deserved, it’d only be possible if the field’s illumination is evenly spread across the entire playing field.

b. Level of Brightness

Generally, a brightness level ranging between 250 and 350 lux would be enough for players and spectators in normal cricket games. However, this isn’t quite there when it comes to professional matches, which would need a brightness level ranging between 500 and 750 lux. The brightness level should be much higher, somewhere in the range of 1500 to 2500 lux, if the matches are to be broadcasted live.

Basically, the International Cricket Council (ICC) prioritizes safety not just of the players but of everyone involved. For this reason, sufficient brightness allows the players, the referees and the spectators to watch the movement of the ball even if it travels at extremely high speeds.

c. Lighting Design of a Cricket Field

To this end, there’s not a doubt that the correct level of brightness is of great importance when lighting a cricket field. However, the most important part of lighting a cricket field is to ensure a complete natural feel for the players, the spectators and everyone involved. In fact, it’s often advisable to use LED lights given that they’re energy efficient and can produce a lamp-color rendition that’s close to daylight!

4. Basketball Court Lighting

Who says that sports are now only a daytime option? If you are someone who is passionate about basketball, and simply loves shooting hoops after a long stressful day, then there is no need for you to feel bad and complain about long work hours. All you need is a great court in your backyard with some quality basketball court lighting.

a. How good lighting helps?

It is not sufficient to just have any kind of lights in a basketball court. While basketball can be pretty safe in a controlled environment, it can also get very dangerous if the simple safety rules are ignored. It is important that while assessing the basketball court lights, you also consider various factors that could affect visibility.

Reflection from the surface of the court, choosing the wrong colors for the walls in case of a closed court which can refract and scatter light in all directions, natural lighting from the sun during daytime, and reflection from the snow in case your location gets a lot of snow during winters are some factors that must be considered before choosing the brightness of the lights for your court.

Too much light can also impair visibility and they can make you feel extremely uncomfortable and can cause you headaches. Sometimes, due to too much of reflection, you may even misplay a shot, and get seriously hurt or injured. Thus, it is vital that you get an expert to take care of doing the setup for you.

b. Getting the setup done

It is not necessary that you get the complete work done by a professional. If it isn’t in your budget, you can do some of the work by yourself – like getting the court painted, and the walls are done. For the actual basketball court lighting, you can hire specialists who would complete the job in less than a day’s time. Since they charge by the hour for setup apart from the equipment, it would be best if you planned everything in detail, and got all the necessary things ready so that they complete their job quickly.

However, if you are serious about your basketball practice, and wish that it becomes more than just another part of your backyard, then you can look at packaged services. This comprises of every single thing involved, right from planning the space, the landscaping of the court, the colors for the walls and the floor, and the placement of the lights. They assess the area first and then give you a solution which would be perfect for your requirements. They would also ensure that all the safety aspects are taken care of.

5. Golf Course Lighting

While there’s nothing wrong with playing golf during daytime, playing it under the lights after darkness has always been a novelty especially in areas where the climate tends to be cooler at night. Despite this uniqueness, illuminating a golf course is never easy if you don’t know how to go about it. This is because most golf courses are generally not designed to be lit. With the right knowledge however, it can still be attained.

a. The brightness level of golf course lighting

When lighting a golf course, the main priority always revolves around making the golf course as comfortable as possible for the players and spectators. This therefore brings one question to mind; how bright should the golf course be? For those not familiar with lighting jargons, brightness is always measured in terms of lux, and that’s what should be considered when lighting a golf course.

In golf, the brightness level will affect how the players and spectators see the golf trajectory. For this reason, it’s generally advisable to ensure that the horizontal brightness of a golf course ranges between 80 and 100 lux. Given that the flight path of the ball can also go up fairly high, there should be a vertical brightness ranging between 100 and 150 lux. This vertical brightness will give both the players and the spectators the chance to sufficiently see the entire flight of the ball all the way until it drops even if it’s running at a speed of 200mph!

b. Uniformity levels and hitting area lighting

When lighting a golf course, it’s important to ensure that light is uniformly spread in such a way that it’s not too bright to affect the players and the spectators or it’s not too dim to make playing challenging. In that regard, lighting should be installed in such a way that the player doesn’t produce shadows, especially in the hitting area. For this reason, it’s always important to ensure that lighting aims at the playing direction and is done in the same way as it’d be done in a residential environment, except that it has to cover a far greater distance.

c. Reliable lighting

Another important part of golf lighting is reliability. You do not want to install the kind of lighting that would flicker, especially when play is underway. This will seriously dent play and both the players and spectators might miss those crucial moments that golf is known for. Again, you’d want the type of lighting that’s not detrimental to the eyes while still being energy and cost efficient, as well as durable. In that regard, you should always consider using LED lights when lighting a golf course since it has all the above-stated features.

Installing lighting in your golf course isn’t just about extending play time. It’s about offering a better experience for both players and spectators, and also about investing in the future – one that encourages playing golf at night! No matter the plan or design, golf course lighting should always place priority on players’ comfort, as well as those of the spectators.

6. Baseball Field Lights

All baseball fields play a distinctive role when it comes to providing a wonderful familiarity on the sports field. Installing an excellent quality sports lighting system on your athletic field and in this case, a baseball field will give a lot of benefits to the players as well as the fans. This includes the safety of athletes, improve the experience of the fans and also flexibility when scheduling for practices and games. When you decide to light your household batting cage or commercial ball field, consider the field maintenance plans and the budgets as well because they may change to contain any additional play.

a. Quality lighting for baseball players and spectators

Visitors and spectators always enjoy a great experience in a well-lit baseball field. Besides the great experience that the baseball stadium lights provide via the excellence light output, they also provide ample energy savings for the playing fields that pay to manage them. A baseball filed may consist of both outdoor and indoor lights. When we hear of indoor baseball field lights, what comes in mind is the bathrooms, the hallways and also the concession areas while outdoor lighting, we think of the stadium lighting which hits the field. Proper light direction and illumination are fundamental in baseball stadiums, and since a baseball can move for miles per hour in the course of the game, ensure that the field is lit evenly because this allows maximum visibility to both outfield and infield activities. It’s also very essential to ensure that you avoid a direct glare to the athletes from the light sources.

b. Different types of baseball field

Keep in mind that the lighting requirements for any baseball stadium depend on the type of play, be it a small league, high school league, college league or a professional level league. Today the LED technology has become very popular and is widely being applied to the sports fields industry. There are multiple reasons as to why it has increased popularity. Major League Baseball has endorsed a sustainability movement which focuses on energy efficiency and this one of the reasons they are embarking on using LED lights in their fields. If you having to light up the indoor or backyard batting cage, it takes less amount of lights; besides, the lighting requirement will not be so rigorous.

c. Advantages of using LED lights

LED system will reduce the cost of lighting making it more sustainable and practical, and this will help save energy to about 70 to 80%. The LED technology also comes with better experience. You realize that most of the spectators go to the stadium expecting a good experience and the field lights today are creating a perfect experience making spectators attending to enjoy the game.

You will agree with me that a stadium will never be fun without security and that is where stadium lights come in. Baseball field lights play a major responsibility during visibility as well as motion detection, hence enhanced security efforts. It is crucial when your fans and visitors feel secure with the proper security and lighting measures at the same time maintaining a proficient public view.

7. Volleyball Court Lighting

Whether it is a recreational activity, or an international competition, the lighting on a volleyball court should be uniform and sufficiently bright. Generally, low-level matches require LED lights with a brightness of up to 200 lux, while top-level competitions, such as World Cup, and Olympics need a lighting system with a brightness level of 500 lux, and a uniformity task of >7. Uniformity has an important role during volleyball matches. Fields that are dim in some places, and too bright in others will create discomfort to spectators, and confuse players. Thus, each court, no matter its nature, should have a uniform lighting plan.

a. Quality LED lights

During professional competitions, flicker-free LED lights are used to allow capture high-speed shots. This allows for quality photography made by spectators, and improves the television broadcasting. Anti-glare feature is also often embedded in the luminaries on the volleyball courts. The floodlights have a special coat that prevents glaring, which can blind players while they are following the ball in the air. Outdoor courts are more exposed, needing more precaution measures. They are equipped with weatherproof lights that are meant to provide protection against rains, and excess heat from the sun. Also, outdoor courts can be illuminated with sodium lights, whose yellowish UV hue keeps mosquitoes at bay.

b. Pole arrangement inside volleyball court

Depending on the purpose of the volleyball court, lighting systems can be installed in several ways. Amateur venues are equipped with 4 poles, one pole in each corner of the court. Professional venues, though require more lighting power. This is why, they have 8 poles spread uniformly around the perimeter of the court. Poles also vary in terms of height. If they are high, they need LED lights with more power, or more sets of luminaries with lower-power LEDs. Another type of lights that are widely used for volleyball courts are metal halide lights that give off a powerful white illumination.

8. Badminton Court Lights

A well-lit badminton court will help to attract the right players in addition to ensuring that anyone on the court has sufficient light to exercise without getting injured. Badminton lighting must meet international standards in addition to ensuring uniform illumination, having no glare and exhibiting no strobe effects. The following are a few tips to help you choose the light righting for your badminton court:

a. Life span

Choose long life lighting that will last for a number of months or years without requiring replacement. A good option is LED lighting which typically has a rated life of 50,000 hours. Used only 12 hours a day, good LED lighting will last up to 11 years without having to be changed. This will help you save on costs in addition to ensuring that your badminton court is well lit without fear that the lighting will go out anytime soon.

b. Ceiling height

A badminton court must be high enough that it does not interfere with the shuttle serve. In addition, it must meet the ceiling requirements of24 to 29 ¼ feet used by most countries. As a result, choose lighting that can be used on a ceiling of this height without compromising on illumination. Remember that due to glare, badminton lights should not be placed directly above the playing area.

c. Indoor or outdoor use

Badminton courts are located both indoors and outdoors and it is therefore important to take this into consideration when choosing lighting. Outdoor lighting must be hardier and adaptable to various weather conditions. Indoor lighting on the other hand needs to be brighter and longer lasting because of darker conditions and heavy-duty use.

d. Lighting balance

Proper badminton lighting makes use of both natural and artificial lighting. During the day, natural light use is maximized in order to make energy savings. The amount of natural light available should act as a guide when selecting the right badminton lights. Since you are most likely going to use both types of lighting, it is best to ensure that the artificial lighting is enough to complement the natural without leaving parts of the court under lit or being so bright that they blind both players and spectators.

The right badminton lights will ensure a comfortable playing experience for athletes and pleasant viewing for spectators. By using a few simple tips, you can select the right badminton lights for your court, and ensure that it is efficiently and effectively lit for the people who will be using it.

9. Table Tennis Court Lighting

Table Tennis is a game loved by many people, and public tennis courts are available for people with racquets and balls. However, a court can be added to a homeowner’s backyard, and this is dependent on a budget of the owner. The importance of lighting in a tennis play-area cannot be overemphasized as games can last till late in the evening. Making some changes in the lighting fixtures can help in improving lighting solutions for a table tennis court.

Some people also love to play some games very early in the morning before going to work and the sun may not be out at this time. Lighting a court or renovating existing lights should not be a cause for worry as the following tips will guide you.

a. Lighting points to note

The fixtures of your existing lighting should be examined while dark spots on the court should be checked. It is also important to check for glare and how the ball is well lit when moving from one part of the play area to another. You should endeavor to play after the sun has gone down so that you will be able to see how the light affects your games. Special note should be taken when some lighting fixtures cause blinding when you want to serve or return a lob.

After you have determined that you need lighting the table tennis court, you may want to look for the different styles of tennis lighting available in the market. We deliver the LED luminaries that work excellently to provide daylight kind of illumination in the court.

b. Residential vs commercial table tennis room lights

If you are designing a new lighting scheme for a tennis court, then you may first want to consider whether it is a residential court or a commercial court. The residential ones usually make use of the low-mast lights that diminish the glare and distribute light evenly across the entire court, while preventing it from going farther from the sports area. You may also consider using light fixtures and bulbs that help in reducing the glare and spreading the light evenly on the court. You may take the help of a professional to understand which lighting system is good for your court and as per his advice you can choose the right system.

Always install new lighting fixtures in the supervision of the experts so that they provide the right solution for all your tennis requirements.

10. Horse Arena Lighting

Horse arenas could be challenging to light effectively due to their complicated designs. The last thing you need is bright lights which help riders and horses perform well during the races. Whether you are constructing a new facility or upgrading an existing area, this guide will show you some useful tips in choosing and setting up a well-lid lighting system.

a. Specific features of horse arena lighting

At first, it seems to have the same concepts as parking lots, but this isn’t actually correct. A horse arena lighting system will basically require some different features to ensure two things: appropriateness and safety. A lighting system should be able to eliminate the shadows or glares that can make it unsafe for riders and horses during the match. This requires the fixtures to be installed as high as possible to minimize the hard line between darkness and brightness. Similarly, it should ensure appropriateness by standing up to the dirt, debris, dust, and water present in the facility.

b. Recommended foot-candles

The ideal foot-candle for a casual outdoor area should range from 15 to 20, though the final decision will depend on the total size. For jumper or hunter training, the recommended level is around 40, while a competitive and training dressage should be equipped with 50 foot-candles. If you want to illuminate a competitive show-jumping area, 70 foot-candles is suitable. There is quite limited information concerning the minimum foot-candles for equestrian sports, so it will depend on your personal preferences.

c. LED and fixture efficiency

Due to the purpose and size of horse-riding arenas, the lighting system usually requires a lot of fixtures for proper illumination. This means the demand for low energy expenses is as significant as ever. And the best solution to deal with this issue is powerful and long-lasting LED fixtures. These days, these units can last up to 10 times longer than their fluorescent counterparts. In addition, they are extremely durable with glass-free designs to ensure no breakage when operating. In the long term, this will save you a lot of time and money for replacing or maintaining.

d. IP Ratings

Whether your lighting system is installed outdoors or indoors, in arenas or stables, it is necessary to choose fixtures with the right IP ratings. This refers to the ability to withstand some environmental elements such as water, dust, moisture, debris or wind. Models with higher IP ratings are often better and more expensive. Here are the three most versions that you should look for the best lighting fixtures:

IP67 means submersible and completely sealed
IP66 means water resistance against powerful jets
IP65 means water resistance