Successful solar lighting for projects begins long before a purchase order. Roads, industrial sites, housing developments, campuses, parks and public spaces all require different optics, pole layouts, operating schedules and energy reserves. A project supplier must translate those variables into a coordinated luminaire, solar panel, battery, controller and mounting system.

This guide gives project owners, consultants, EPC contractors and distributors a practical framework for preparing a solar-lighting tender and evaluating proposals.

Start With the Outcome, Not the Wattage

A request for “100 pieces of 60W solar lights” leaves important engineering questions unanswered. Two products with the same nominal wattage may create different illumination because of LED efficacy, optical distribution, mounting height, pole spacing and control settings.

A stronger project brief defines:

• Site location and intended use
• Target illuminance and uniformity
• Road or area dimensions
• Pole height, spacing and setback
• Nightly operating profile
• Required autonomy during low-sun periods
• Color temperature and glare constraints
• Wind, temperature, corrosion and dust exposure
• Monitoring, dimming and motion-control needs

This information enables a solar lighting supplier to design for the site rather than quote a generic catalogue item.

Choose the Right System Architecture

All-in-One Solar Lights

All-in-one units integrate major system components into a compact assembly. They can simplify logistics and installation for roads, residential areas, car parks and distributed sites. ANETHIC's Lightgogo 4 covers 40W to 180W with MPPT charging, while Lightgogo 5 covers programmable 30W to 60W applications with remote control and optional IoT expansion. Lightgogo 3 addresses economical 30W to 40W deployments.

Split-Type Solar Lighting

A split system allows the panel and luminaire to be positioned separately. This can help optimize panel orientation or facilitate component access. In ANETHIC's published Brazil project, 380 split-type 35W lights used separate 160W monocrystalline panels and 150Ah gel batteries. The design specified 6-meter poles, 8–12 operating hours and three days of autonomy.

Solar-Grid Hybrid Lighting

Where lighting continuity has high priority and a grid connection exists, Lightgogo 4 Hybrid combines solar and grid input in 40W to 180W configurations. Programmable load settings and motion-based dimming allow the operating profile to be aligned with site traffic and available energy.

Smart Retrofit Lighting

Historic districts, campuses and parks may need to preserve existing decorative luminaires. Lightgogo Kit is designed for post-top lantern retrofits in 40W and 60W formats. It offers ten programmable periods, microwave motion detection, adjustable delay, wireless parameter control and optional IoT monitoring.

A Seven-Stage Project Workflow

1. Survey the Site

Record coordinates, shading, road width, pole locations, soil or foundation conditions and nearby obstructions. For brownfield work, document existing poles, luminaires and electrical infrastructure.

2. Define Lighting Performance

Specify the applicable standard, maintained illuminance, uniformity, glare limit and color temperature. Ask the bidder for photometric files and a lighting calculation for the proposed geometry.

3. Model the Solar Energy Balance

The supplier should use location-specific solar data and the planned dimming schedule to size the panel and battery. Ask what assumptions were used for system losses, temperature, battery depth of discharge, aging and consecutive low-sun days.

4. Select Controls

Fixed full-power operation is rarely the only option. Scheduled dimming can lower demand after peak hours, while motion detection can raise output when activity occurs. Remote programming and IoT monitoring may improve management for large or geographically dispersed projects.

5. Validate the Mechanical and Environmental Design

Confirm pole and bracket compatibility, wind-load assumptions, fasteners, corrosion treatment, ingress protection and surge protection. Coastal, desert, tropical and cold-climate sites may require different material and battery decisions.

6. Approve a Pilot or Sample

For a high-volume rollout, use a sample or pilot area to verify installation, light distribution, control settings, appearance and stakeholder acceptance. Document any revisions before mass production.

7. Plan Commissioning and After-Sales Support

Define inspection checklists, programming records, training, spare units, replacement components and the warranty claim process. ANETHIC states that it can provide installation instructions, remote training, setup advice and after-sales support based on project needs; the contract should specify the deliverables for the individual project.

Project Evidence: Brazil and Abuja

ANETHIC's public case library provides two useful reference points.

The Brazil coastal deployment comprised 380 solar street-light systems, each designed around a 35W LED, 160W panel, 150Ah battery and 6-meter pole. The published target was an average 15 lux with three days of low-sun autonomy.

In Abuja, Nigeria, a residential project used 60W Lightgogo 4 luminaires on 8-meter poles at 40-meter spacing. ANETHIC reports a 12.8V 36Ah LiFePO4 battery, MPPT controller, 5000K output and LED efficacy of 180 lm/W for that configuration.

These cases should not be copied as universal templates. They demonstrate that climate, geometry, performance targets and operating strategy determine the system specification. A new project requires its own calculation and approval.

Procurement Checklist for Project Buyers

Ask each manufacturer, factory or supplier to provide a comparable submission containing:

• Compliance schedule against the tender specification
• Luminaire, panel, battery and controller datasheets
• Photometric files and project lighting calculation
• Solar energy and autonomy calculation
• General arrangement and installation drawings
• Control logic and programming method
• Quality and test documentation
• Current certification evidence relevant to the destination market
• Warranty scope and exclusions
• Recommended spares and maintenance plan
• Packaging, shipping, lead time and batch traceability
• References for similar climates and applications

ANETHIC's homepage states that its products are TÜV and IEC certified and that the company operates in more than 90 countries. Because certifications can be model- and market-specific, procurement teams should request the actual current certificate, report number, covered model list and issuing body before treating a general claim as tender evidence.

Build an ROI Case That Finance Can Audit

Compare the proposed solar system with the realistic alternative: grid extension, diesel-supported lighting or replacement of existing fixtures. Include:

• Equipment, poles, foundations and installation
• Trenching, cabling and grid-connection charges avoided
• Electricity or fuel over the analysis period
• Scheduled inspection and cleaning
• Battery and electronic component replacement assumptions
• Failure response and access costs
• Residual value and warranty coverage

State every assumption and test sensitivity to energy price, maintenance frequency and battery life. This produces a more credible ROI than relying on a headline percentage.

Review ANETHIC's solar lighting systems and the International Energy Agency's solar PV analysis when developing project energy assumptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What information is needed for a solar lighting project quote?

Provide the project location, application, quantity, road or area dimensions, target lighting level, pole layout, nightly schedule, autonomy requirement, environmental conditions and delivery destination.

Should a project use all-in-one or split-type lights?

All-in-one systems can simplify deployment, while split systems offer flexibility in panel orientation and component placement. The best option depends on solar access, maintenance strategy, aesthetics, security and project economics.

Can ANETHIC support OEM or customized supply?

ANETHIC advertises customized solar solutions based on application and project requirements. Buyers should submit branding, electrical, mechanical, packaging and compliance requirements for feasibility review and quotation.

Turn Your Project Brief Into a Technical Proposal

Share your drawings, solar-lighting schedule, photometric criteria, autonomy target, environmental data and commercial scope with ANETHIC. Request a documented system configuration, lighting calculation, energy assumptions and quotation before tender approval.