Compared with traditional street lights, the payback period of solar street lights is affected by factors such as initial investment, electricity savings, maintenance costs and geographical conditions. The following is a detailed comparative analysis and typical scenario calculation:

Key factors affecting the payback period

1. Conditions for shortening the payback period:

High electricity price areas (such as the average household electricity price in the EU in the second half of 2024 is 28.9 euros/kWh): the payback period can be shortened to 1-2 years.

Long-daylight areas (such as Xinjiang, the Middle East, South Africa and other countries): high solar energy utilization rate, reducing the configuration cost of batteries/solar panels.

Government subsidies: Some countries/regions provide installation subsidies/energy subsidies for solar energy-related projects, and the subsidy intensity is subject to the policies of each country.

2. Conditions for extending the payback period:

Low electricity prices (less than ￥0.3RMB/kWh): Traditional street lights have obvious advantages in electricity costs.

Rainy areas (such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and some states in the United States with more rainy seasons): battery capacity and solar panels need to be increased, increasing costs.

High maintenance requirements: Frequent replacement of inferior batteries (the mainstream LiFePO4 battery technology on the market is more durable). Not only the type of battery, but also the quality of the battery plays a vital role, with A-grade and B-grade quality. Due to the vigorous development of energy vehicles in the market, many manufacturers use second-hand batteries replaced from these energy vehicles. These batteries also occupy a part of the market due to their low cost, but the quality cannot be guaranteed.

Solway is using the Brand new China Top 3 Brand Prismatic LifePo4 battery Using Brand new China Top 3 Brand Prismatic LifePo4 battery, high temperature

Reference for payback period in different scenarios:

Scenario Solar street light payback period Key reasons

Rural roads 1~2 years Save cable laying costs, zero electricity bills

Urban branch roads 2~3 years Low cable costs, but electricity bills are higher than household electricity prices

Overseas off-grid areas <1 year Replace diesel generators

Rainy countries 3~5 years Requires larger batteries and photovoltaic panels, high initial cost

Long-term advantages of solar street lights:

Even though the initial cost is high, solar street lights have significant advantages throughout their life cycle (Solway products have a lifespan of more than 5 years):

Zero electricity bills: Referring to high electricity bill areas, the cost can be recovered in 1~2 years

No cable laying costs: The 10-year maintenance cost of traditional lines accounts for about 20% of the total investment

Strong disaster resistance: For example, when the power grid is paralyzed after a typhoon, solar lights can still work, and Solway solar street lights can withstand a 16-level typhoon

Decision-making suggestions:

Prioritize short-term payback: Choose high-efficiency LED lamp beads (Solway currently uses lamp beads with a light efficiency of ≥210lm/W) + brand new A-grade LiFePO4 batteries (lifespan of 8-10 years).

Prioritize long-term operation: Add intelligent control (time-sharing dimming) to further save energy.

Tips for avoiding pitfalls:

Avoid low-priced and low-quality solar panels (low conversion rate <18%).

Avoid low-priced, low-quality batteries, which have the risk of explosion

Summary:

Economic benefits: Typical payback period: 1~3 years (depending on local electricity prices and sunshine conditions).

Advertising revenue: Billboard solar lighting/integrated light poles also have additional advertising rental income.

Social benefits: In response to the global call for carbon emissions and to cope with the global warming situation, the social benefits of solar street lights are more evident in this case. Because of the non-renewable nature of energy, it contributes to social new energy and green development.

Preferred scenarios: areas without power grids, cities with high electricity prices, areas with good sunshine conditions, and government subsidy projects.

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