We recently hosted a sixth form student for his work experience week at SHIFT and his work here included a research project into the costs and benefits of solar carports and street lighting. Here’s what he found (thanks Albert!):
Solar street lighting
Solar street lights have gained popularity worldwide, including in the UK, due to their long-term benefits. These benefits fall into three main categories: environmental, social and economic.
Environmental benefits: Recent advancements in solar technology have significantly improved the efficiency and reliability of solar streetlights. Modern photovoltaic (PV) panels offer higher conversion efficiencies, even in low-light conditions typical of the UK’s cloudy weather. Solar street lights are generally equipped with 100-watt solar panels and energy-efficient LED lights, consuming between 0.5-5 kWh depending on dimming or automation settings. These LEDs have an energy efficiency rating of 90-98% and reduce light pollution by minimizing vertical light scattering, which benefits nocturnal animals and stargazers.
Social benefits: Solar street lights require no connection to mains electricity, which enhances their versatility and safety. They are used in construction, parks and events aiming to be environmentally conscious. This independence from the mains also means they continue to function during power cuts or maintenance, ensuring safety for pedestrians, workers and road users. Additionally, the use of lithium-ion batteries ensures the lights remain operational during extended periods of low sunlight, making them reliable during winter or power outages.
Economic benefits: There are over 7 million streetlights in the UK and traditional lights powered by fossil fuels can cost between £25-£65 annually per light. With an average cost of £40 per light, the UK’s annual expenditure on street lighting is around £280 million, excluding upkeep costs. Solar streetlights offer substantial cost savings including reduced energy bills as less mains electricity is used and environmental benefits. Prolectric Services, a solar energy company, report that since 2016, its solar generators and lighting towers have saved over £10 million and 27 million kg of CO2e.
Cost Analysis: The cost of solar streetlights varies based on specifications and installation complexity. Here’s a breakdown:
- Basic Solar Streetlights: £100-£300 per unit
- Mid-Range Solar Streetlights: £300-£800 per unit
- High-End Solar Streetlights: £800-£2,000+ per unit
- Basic Installation: £200-£500 per light
- Complex Installation: £500-£1,500+ per light
For a basic solar streetlight with simple installation, the total cost ranges from £300 to £800 per unit. Mid-range lights with complex installations cost between £800 and £2,300, while high-end lights with extensive installation requirements range from £1,300 to £3,500 or more.
Component Cost Breakdown Table:
| Component | Cost Range |
| Solar Panel | £39 – £234 |
| LED Lamp | £16 – £78 |
| Battery | £39 – £156 |
| Charge Controller | £8 – £39 |
| Pole | £78 – £234 |
| Mounting Structure | £16 – £39 |
| Cabling and Connectors | £8 – £23 |
| Miscellaneous | £4 – £16 |
Consult suppliers and installers for precise pricing. While initial costs are higher than the mains alternative, solar streetlights offer significant savings over time compared to traditional alternatives.
Solar carports
Photovoltaic (PV) carports use the same panels as residential solar installations, generating direct current (DC) electricity that is converted into alternating current (AC) by an inverter. These carports feature solar panels mounted on their roofs and connected to charging stations. The panels can be tilted to maximise sunlight exposure. For example, 380 square feet of polysilicon PV panels (at an average of 17% efficiency) can generate approximately 30kWh/day on an average summer day in the UK.
PV carports can charge electric vehicles (EVs), power nearby buildings, store energy in batteries and feed excess electricity back into the grid via net-metering, potentially reducing future energy bills. They can be installed in residential, commercial and public spaces. Homeowners can use them for personal energy needs, businesses can generate power and offer EV charging and public installations promote EV use.
The initial cost for building PV carports can be high. A small carport for 1-2 vehicles costs between £8,000 and £20,000. Medium carports for 3-4 vehicles cost between £15,000 and £30,000 and large carports for 5+ vehicles cost between £30,000 and £60,000. Commercial installations range from £40,000 to over £800,000, depending on the power generated. Public installations can cost millions of pounds and battery storage and EV chargers can add up to 20% to the overall cost.
Cost Estimates for Various PV Carports
| Size | Cost Range (GBP) |
| Small Carports (1-2 vehicles) | £8,000 – £20,000 |
| Medium Carports (3-4 vehicles) | £15,000 – £30,000 |
| Large Carports (5+ vehicles) | £30,000 – £60,000 |
| 10-20kW installations | £40,000 – £120,000 |
| 20-50kW installations | £120,000 – £240,000 |
| 50+kW installations | £240,000 – £800,000+ |
Cost Breakdown for Small-Medium PV Carports
| Component | Cost Range (GBP) |
| Solar Panels | 150 – 450 |
| Inverter | 500 – 2000 |
| Mounting Structure | 1000 – 3000 |
| Cabling and Connectors | 100 – 300 |
| Electrical Components | 100 – 300 |
| Monitoring System | 100 – 500 |
| Battery Storage (optional) | 1000 – 5000 |
The UK government offers incentives, grants, and tax relief to offset initial costs, such as the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme. The SEG allows homeowners and businesses to sell unused renewable energy back to the grid. Information on the SEG, including how to sign up, is available on the official government website. Rates can be fixed (3.5-6p per kWh) or variable, with the latter requiring a smart meter to provide half-hourly price updates.
Combining the SEG scheme with other incentives and the electricity savings from owning a PV carport can expedite cost recovery and increase returns on investment.
For those interested in reaching other environmental goals, SHIFT‘s dedicated team is ready to help you achieve this and we look forward to offering our help.
Image by Jadon Kelly on Unsplash