Technical Questions ( Contract all | Expand all )
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Does it really work in the UK and Scandinavia?
Yes. The cells in the masts are a new kind of low-light sensitive PV cells that don't require direct sunlight, and in fact work well under cloud cover. It is possible for a SunMast to generate all the energy needs of a streetlight - even in northern Europe.
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Do the solar panels actually power the lights?
No. A grid-connected system is essentially two different systems. There is no direct connection between the PV system and the lamp. The energy generated is not directly used by the light, so in essence the solar panels could be installed elsewhere on the grid with the same effect.
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How much electricity will a mast generate?
The exact amount varies according to the height of the mast as well as factors such as location, orientation, weather, temperature and even the proximity of reflective materials such as water, glass or snow. Here are annual yields (kWh) for some European locations. Please contact us for a detailed calculation in your area.
Annual yield (kWh) City 10.5m 8.8m 7.1m 5.4m Helsinki 314 251 188 126 Stockholm 324 259 211 130 Copenhagen 314 251 188 126 Berlin 304 243 182 122 Frankfurt 299 239 179 120 London 276 220 166 110 Hamburg 285 228 171 114 Prague 289 231 173 116
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Does the mast generate more electricity than the lighting requires?
It depends. The electricity produced by the solar cells is a way of compensating for the electricity that the lamp consumes. Whether it does so partially or completely depends on the application and what steps are taken to minimize energy consumption. With energy-efficient lamps and controls, it is quite possible to achieve a net gain of electricity.
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How do you estimate how many units (kWh) a mast will produce?
The results are determined by a mathematical model calculation, using the PV*SOL simulation programme and weather data from the past 10 years. The actual yields of the system may deviate from the predicted values due to weather fluctuations, inefficient modules and inverters, or losses in the actual system.
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Does the system require batteries?
No, the system is connected to the national power grid. At night, when the cells in the mast are not generating energy, electricity is bought from the utility company in the normal way. By day, all energy is exported and sold to the grid.
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Why not use batteries?
We have opted not to use batteries because of the demand for a fail-safe and compliant road lighting solution. Battery systems require regular maintenance since they have a limited 3-5 year lifetime. Also, by connecting to the grid, we overcome the challenge of storing power. During summer, a stand-alone system generates more electricity than it requires for lighting and more than it can store. That energy would be wasted.
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What sort of projects are suitable for SunMast installations?
The most important aspect to consider is the location of the site. The solar masts must receive as much light as possible. The best location for solar PV is obviously in exposed areas. Shadows cast by trees and neighbouring buildings must be avoided.
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Is the SunMast complicated to install?
No, the actual SunMast is installed in the same way as other non-solar lighting masts. And electrical installation follows the same procedure as other solar installations.
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How much maintenance is required?
As the solar mast has no batteries or moving parts, less maintenance is required. The fact that the PV cells are vertically placed means that any dust or dirt that may gather is washed off during normal rainfall.
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Does the streetlight conform to road norms and standards?
The SunMasts are tested against the EN40 norms for metal masts in Europe. The LED lampheads that we are using in projects all conform with EN13201 norms.
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How is the mast protected against vandalism?
The bottom 2m of the SunMast are without panels to protect them from graffiti. All solar panels are laminated with toughened safety glass and are designed to withstand mechanical impact in accordance with the requirements of EN/IEC 61215 and EN/IEC 62262 IK08. To avoid theft, the panels are glued to the mast and cannot be removed without using special tools.
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How often do I need to clean the solar panels?
Due to the vertical positioning of the panels, gravity and rain are expected to take care of the cleaning.
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Will it work in winter?
Yes. The vertical placement of PV panels is adapted to low altitude sunlight, and even if there are only a few hours of daylight in the wintertime, the mast will still produce energy.
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Can power be generated by the east and west faces?
Yes. Situated in Copenhagen, the east and west faces each produce around 75% of the south face, so combined, the east and west faces generate 50% more energy than the south face alone.
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