BRIGHTNESS vs EFFICIENCY: HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SOLAR STREET LIGHT

We spend a great deal of time helping clients navigate the technical details behind modern solar street lighting. One of the most common areas is the difference between brightness and luminous efficiency.

Many assume that a “brighter” light automatically means a better light. In truth, the best performing solar lighting systems are those that balance brightness, efficiency, and design. Choosing the right solar light is imperative, or you will end up unsatisfied and wondering why your lowly spec’d product isn’t working! Selecting the right specification can significantly improve performance and reliability.

Brightness vs Efficiency

Brightness (Total Light Output)

Brightness refers to the overall light emitted by a fixture measured in lumens. For high traffic/footfall locations such as highways, airports, sports spaces, and large commercial areas, higher brightness is often essential to maintain visibility and safety.

Luminous Efficiency (lm/W)

Luminous efficiency measures how effectively a fixture converts energy into visible light. Higher luminous efficiency means:

• Better energy utilisation

• Longer nightly runtimes

• Less strain on the battery system

• More reliable performance in winter or low-sun conditions

In SolarVision products - especially our SolarWrap©️ range - high efficiency plays a major role in ensuring consistent, year-round illumination.

Choosing Between Brightness and Efficiency

The “right” choice depends entirely on the nature of your project.

When to Prioritise Luminous Efficiency

Choose a high-efficiency solution when:

• The site requires long-duration lighting, such as dusk-to-dawn operation

• You want to maximise autonomy during winter

• The area does not require extreme brightness

• The project aims to reduce lifecycle costs and energy waste

This makes high-efficiency solutions ideal for:

• Residential streets

• Pedestrian paths

• Business parks

• Car parks and shared access roads

• Parks and recreational grounds

Our SolarVision high-efficiency solutions are specifically engineered for these conditions, offering optimised optical distribution and intelligent power management.

When to Prioritise Higher Brightness

Higher brightness is favoured when:

• The area carries higher safety or compliance requirements

• There is fast or heavy vehicle movement

• Wider uniform coverage is needed

• The local authority or client specifies a particular lux level

In these scenarios, we often recommend:

• Maximum footprint of SolarWraps©️

• Increased battery capacity

• HYBRID Controller and power source

• Additional units to maintain even light distribution

Our HYBRID range is designed to accommodate these higher-output applications without compromising reliability.

Every Site Is Different

At SVLT, we never recommend a one-size-fits-all solution. Successful solar street lighting depends on matching the correct optics, power system, and control strategy to the unique characteristics of each site and budget. Therefore brightness vs efficiency is an important question to ask.

SVLT is proud to be a UK leader in off-grid and hybrid solar lighting systems, trusted by Local Councils, Developers, Private Estates and Commercial clients nationwide.

Need help choosing the right solar streetlight?

We’re here to guide you through every step.

Evaluate your options based on this information and take a step toward a sustainable future!

Call our team for guidance or support and a specialist will be happy to help you.

01923 726150