Clean Energy Technologies

Evaluation of Factors Influencing the Operational Performance of Solar-Powered Street Lighting in Selected Areas

Karen Kabunda

Department of Pure and Applied Physics, School of Natural and Applied Sciences, The University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia

Rekha Rajan

Department of Pure and Applied Physics, School of Natural and Applied Sciences, The University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia

Prem Jain

Department of Pure and Applied Physics, School of Natural and Applied Sciences, The University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia

Reccab Manyala

Department of Pure and Applied Physics, School of Natural and Applied Sciences, The University of Zambia, Lusaka P.O. Box 32379, Zambia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36956/cet.v1i1.2038

Received: 12 December 2025 | Revised: 3 January 2025 | Accepted: 7 January 2025 | Published Online: 14 January 2025

---

Abstract

Significant investments have been made in solar street lighting due to its cost-effectiveness compared to grid electricity. Some factors affect the performance of solar street lights. The research investigated battery types, switching systems, shading, inclination, and orientation effects on sampled solar street lights. Systematic sampling and selection of street lights were based on the Yamane Taro formula. Data was collected through fieldwork measurements and observations in addition to the use of questionnaires. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and Python were used to analyze the data. Results showed that switching mechanisms, charging systems, and battery type significantly influenced the performance of the studied solar street lights. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) and ultra-capacitors (UCs) outperformed lead-acid batteries, keeping the lights on longer by up to 3 hours compared to flooded lead-acid batteries. Some charge controller components, such as regulating capacitors, were faulty and affected the lithium-ion batteries and ultra-capacitors. The failures caused the batteries to overcharge, resulting in swelling and bursting. The majority of the solar street lights were found to be oriented in the northeast, with some facing northwest in roads like Lumumba, Great North, and Mosi-O-Tunya. Solar panels in the northwest along Lumumba Road and Great North Road exhibited an average power output of 89 W, while those oriented in the northeast had an average power output of 84 W.

Keywords: Solar Street Lights; Factors Affecting; Performance; Case Study; Lusaka

---

References

[1] Li, G., Wang, W., Ge, Q., et al., 2011. GIS-based assessment of roof-mounted solar energy potential in Jiangsu, China. Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Digital Manufacturing and Automation; 05–07 August 2011; Zhangjiajie, China.pp. 565–571.

[2] Belhamadia, A., Mahmoud, M.M., Younis, A., 2013. Assessment of Wind and Solar Energy Potentials in Malaysia. Proceedings of the IEEE Conference on Clean Energy and Technology (CEAT); 18–20 November 2013; Langkawi, Malaysia.pp. 152–157.

[3] Ayompe, L.M., Duff, A., 2014. An assessment of the energy generation potential of photovoltaic systems in Cameroon using satellite-derived solar radiation datasets. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments. 7, 257–264.

[4] Kwaye, M.P., Bendfeld, J., Anglani, N., 2015. Assessment of Renewable Energy Resources in Cameroon and Special Regards on Energy Supply. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments. 7, 257–264.

[5] Frering, D., Brons, J., Emery, C., 2009. Demonstration and Evaluation of Sustainable, Photovoltaic Powered LED Street Lighting. Proceedings of the 38th ASES National Solar Conference 2009, SOLAR 2009; 11–16 May 2009; Buffalo, NY, USA. pp. 2109–2116.

[6] World Health Organization, 2015. Global status report on road safety. World Health Organization: Geneva, Switzerland.

[7] Hove, M., Ngwerume, E., Muchemwa, C., 2013. The urban crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa: A threat to human security and sustainable development. Stability: International Journal of Security and Development. 2(1), 7.

[8] Kareem, B., Lwasa, S., 2014. Gender responsiveness in infrastructure provision for African cities: The case of Kampala in Uganda. Journal of Geography and Regional Planning. 7(1), 1–9.

[9] Chant, S., 2013. Cities through a 'gender lens': a golden 'urban age' for women in the global South? Environment and Urbanization. 25(1), 9–29.

[10] Bhowmik, S., 2012. Street vendors in the global urban economy. Routledge: New Delhi, India.

[11] Fruhling, P., 2010. How basic community infrastructure works can trigger livelihood improvements and good governance. SIDA: Stockholm, Sweden. Available from: https://cdn.sida.se/publications/files/sida61276en-how-basic-community-infrastructure-works-can-trigger-livelihood-improvements-and-good-governance.pdf (cited 31 December 2023).

[12] Dan Simm,The Best Angle and Direction for Solar Panels to Maximize Savings. Available from: https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/best-direction-orientation-solar-panels (cited 3 January 2025).

[13] Wald, L.M., 2014. How Grid Efficiency Went South. The New York Times. Available from: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/08/business/energy-environment/how-grid-efficiency-went-south-.html?_r=1 (cited 11 October 2015).

[14] Gevorkian, P., 2008. Solar Power in Building Design, 1st ed. McGraw-Hill: New York, USA. pp. 109.

[15] Strache, S., Mueller, J.H., Wunderlich, R., et al., 2012. Photovoltaic output power improvement applying DC-DC converters on submodule level. Proceedings of the 2012 International Conference on Smart Grid Technology, Economics and Policies; 03–04 December 2012; Nuremberg, Germany. pp. 1–4.

[16] Kumari, P.A., Geethanjali, P., 2018. Parameter estimation for photovoltaic system under normal and partial shading conditions: A survey. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 84, 1–11.

[17] Liu, G., 2014. Sustainable feasibility of solar photovoltaic powered street lighting systems. International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems. 56, 168–174.

[18] Lawder, M.T., Suthar, B., Northrop, P.W., et al., 2014. Battery energy storage system (BESS) and battery management system (BMS) for grid-scale applications. Proceedings of the IEEE. 102(6), 1014–1030.

[19] Ambhore, D., Tiwari, A., Vijan, A.R., et al., 2020. Performance Enhancement of Solar Powered LED Street Light System. International Journal of Computational Engineering Research (IJCER). 10(9), 20–35.

[20] Chang, P., 2022. What you need to know about –solar street lights' advantages and disadvantages. Benwei Lighting. Available from: https://hu.benweilight.com/info/what-you-need-to-know-about-solar-street-light-79671431.html (cited 20 November 2022).

[21] Tashakkori, A., Teddlie, C., 2008. Quality of inferences in mixed methods research: Calling for an integrative framework. Advances in Mixed Methods Research. 53(7), 101–119.

[22] Mertler, C.A., 2014. The Data-Driven Classroom: How do I use student data to improve my instruction? ASCD: Virginia, USA.

[23] Kerlinger, F.N., 1973. Foundation of Behavioural Research. Holt, Rinehart, and Winston: New York, USA.

[24] Yamane, T., 1967. Statistic, an Introductory Analysis, 2nd ed. Harper and Row: New York, USA.

[25] Lauren, T., 2020. Systematic Sampling, A Step-by-Step Guide with Example. Scribbr. Available from: https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/systematic-sampling/ (cited 30 July 2020).

[26] Townsend, A., Jiya, I.N., Martinson, C., et al., 2020. A Comprehensive Review of Energy Sources for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Their Shortfalls and Opportunities for Improvements. Heliyon. 6(11), e05285. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05285

[27] Ibrahim, M., 2015. The Art of Data Analysis. Journal of Allied Health Sciences Pakistan. 1(1), 98–104.

[28] Hidayanti, F., 2020. The effect of monocrystalline and polycrystalline material structure on solar cell performance. International Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering Research. 8(7), 3420–3427.

[29] Anon., 2021. Choosing the correct installation tilt angle will improve lighting the effect. NOMO. Available from: http://smart-solar-lights.com/news/choosing-the-correct-installation-tilt-angle-w-42405631.html (cited 27 December 2021).

[30] Kabunda, K., 2024. Factors Affecting the Performance of Solar Street Lights on Selected Streets of Lusaka District, Zambia [MSc Thesis]. University of Zambia: Lusaka, Zambia. Available from: https://dspace.unza.zm/items/7a1ea2e6-440c-4756-be09-3ab2d621b379 (cited 1 January 2025).