Steps to installing a home Solar PV lighting project

The brief for this task was simple the installation of two lanterns, with energy efficiency lighting powered by an off grid solution. The proposal was to install LED lighting linked to a Solar PV panel. The following outlines the steps taken to install the homemade solar PV lighting.

1. The two lanterns were refurbished by cleaning and painting and installing opaque glass

Figure 1: Lanterns re painted before glazing installed

1. Decide on site for solar panel (site requires adequate daylight)
2. Order list – (amazon etc., camping supplier etc.)
   1. 20W Solar PV Panel
   2. 5 m Strip of LED lighting (Warm white or cool white)
   3. 12V Batteries (Depends on the load)
   4. 12V Photocell
   5. Solar Controller (this controls the PV, Lighting and Batteries)
   6. Cable (Depends on location the lighting)
   7. Connectors
   8. IP rated storage box
   9. Stand and storage area (This can be made with wood or metal)
3. The LED strip was wrapped around a 10mm pipe with a connector placed at the end creating the LED luminaire
4. The 4 batteries (item c) were linked in series and connected to the Solar PV (item1) and the Solar Controller (item 5)
5. The cables linking both lanterns to the PV panel were connected to the PV system located in the garden
6. The LED lights were then installed in the lanterns
7. The lanterns were then installed on the existing cast iron pillars

Figure 2: Lanterns installed on top of existing cast iron poles

The PV panel was installed on the stand this was then connected to the battery box underneath. The battery box contains the photocell on the outside with the batteries and solar controller located in the box.

Figure 3: PV Panel and stand – Photocell – PV Controller & Battery box

The photocell allows the lights to switch on at night. This can also be achieved using a timer or the PV as a photocell.

Figure 4: Solar powered lanterns at night