Solar energy is the most fundamental energy source among various renewable energies. It is inexhaustible and can be used free of charge without the need for transportation. As a clean energy source, it produces no pollution. With the continuous development of human society, the contradiction between humans and nature has become increasingly prominent. Environmental degradation and energy shortages have become urgent issues to be addressed by countries around the world.

Since the 1970s, many countries worldwide have launched a wave of developing and utilizing solar energy and other renewable energies. Solar energy utilization technology has achieved significant progress in R&D, commercial production, and market expansion, becoming one of the emerging industries with rapid and steady development globally. Due to the advantages of long service life, low operating costs, maintenance-free operation, and no public hazards, solar cells are now widely used in various fields of society, such as solar street lights, lawn lights, yellow flashing lights, urban brightening, and commercial advertisements.

Solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells, are optoelectronic components for energy conversion. They convert light energy into electrical energy when irradiated by sunlight. Currently, against the backdrop of energy shortages, various regions have adopted measures to avoid peak electricity consumption and mandatory power rationing. The government’s annual electricity expenditure on road lighting and urban brightening is relatively large, which increases the financial burden and shows an annual upward trend.In contrast, using solar energy for power supply can reduce the load of peak electricity consumption, lower electricity expenses, and ease the government’s financial pressure. Additionally, it is maintenance-free, which reduces maintenance costs.

In early 2003, our department installed solar street lights on roads for the first time, achieving remarkable results. Considering that solar intensity is affected by various factors (seasons, locations, climate) and the relatively high cost at present, we chose to install them along riversides and in urban construction residential areas where the area is relatively wide and the roads are narrow. The luminaires selected are die-cast aluminum luminaires, with lamp poles 6 meters high. Maintenance-free batteries are used as energy storage devices, and LEDs (light-emitting diodes) with low energy consumption, long service life, and high brightness are used as light sources. Multicrystalline silicon panels are adopted as solar panels. After operation, good social benefits have been achieved: it not only avoids the impact on pedestrians and environmental pollution caused by pipeline excavation and cable laying but also has a longer overall service life than conventional street lights, saving power resources and electricity expenses. As a new generation of energy-saving products, it has demonstrated strong vitality and broad promotion value. We have recommended that the government promote its utilization as a key project and provide policy support. Due to the relatively small capacity of the selected solar panels and energy storage devices, solar street lights are currently only suitable for small streets and lanes as well as places with low lighting requirements.

At present, significant investment has been made in urban brightening projects. Urban brightening refers to the main lighting of urban space. It emerged with the continuous development of the urban economy and serves as an important carrier reflecting the cultural taste of a city. It is of great significance for boosting commercial prosperity and beautifying the city. The biggest expenses of electric lighting include electricity fees, the expansion of power supply systems, and line losses. However, using solar cells and configuring LED tubes for brightening advertising signs and square lighting can easily solve this problem. Business owners and shopkeepers are also willing to accept this solution, which is conducive to the development and management of urban lighting. This is an aspect where solar energy is worth promoting and applying.