Introduction
Solar street lights have become essential infrastructure in remote regions and urban areas alike. Yet, lead-acid batteries have long powered them and present well-known challenges:
- Short lifespan—they frequently need replacement after 1–3 years, which raises both cost and labor demands;
- Poor low-temperature performance—their capacity plunges dramatically below freezing, often causing sudden outages;
- High maintenance burden—regular watering, cleaning, and equalizing charge cycles drain resources.
In an era pushing green energy and smart cities, we strive for better battery solutions. The 12V 100Ah sodium-ion battery stands out. Its key strengths—flat low-temperature discharge curve, long cycling life (>4,000 cycles), and relatively light weight (about 13.5 kg)—make it a viable upgrade for solar lighting infrastructure.
This article dives deep into solar street light scenarios, exploring how this sodium-ion battery meets field demands, and what integrators, dealers, and decision-makers need to know.
Five Key Battery Requirements & Pain Points in Solar Street Lights
Solar street lights place unique demands on their battery systems. Here are the top five requirements and how lead-acid struggles to meet them:
1. Cold Start & Discharge Stability
At -10°C or below, lead-acid capacity collapses by 30–50%, which leads to frequent night-time outages, especially in northern climates or elevated cities. The sodium-ion battery operates reliably down to -20°C discharge temperature with stable voltage, helping avoid sudden power drops.
2. Long Cycle Life (≥4,000 cycles)
Many projects aim for 5–7 years of service with minimal upkeep. Lead-acid typically lasts 500–1,000 cycles, while sodium-ion batteries provide a long cycle life up to 4,000 cycles, which substantially extends battery replacement intervals.
3. Low Maintenance & Remote Monitoring
Remote locations make regular servicing expensive. The ideal battery needs both low upkeep and remote diagnostics to prevent on-site trips. The built-in smart BMS protects against overcharge, over-discharge, over-current, and over-temperature, and supports communication protocols like CAN/RS485 for remote management.
4. Battery Box Volume & Weight Constraints
Different luminaire designs offer limited internal space. Bulky lead-acid or lithium cells may not fit without redesign. This sodium-ion battery has a compact size (363 × 212 × 230 mm) and weighs only about 13.5 kg, roughly 40% lighter than equivalent lead-acid batteries, which facilitates easier installation and reduces structural load.
5. Protective Rating (IP65 or higher)
Outdoor environments expose the battery to dust, rain, even storms. It must fully resist ingress and seal against weather. Our battery features IP65 waterproof and dustproof rating, which ensures reliable performance in harsh outdoor conditions.
Table 1: Solar Street Light Typical Applications & Battery Pain Points
| Application Scenario | Current Battery Weakness | Critical Battery Performance Needed |
|---|
| Winter-cold areas | Lead-acid fails below -10°C | Cold start, stable discharge (-20℃ capable) |
| Remote mountainous sites | Frequent upkeep, no local technicians | High cycle life (≥4000 cycles), maintenance-free |
| High humidity or coastal regions | Corrosion, seal degradation | IP65 waterproof & dustproof enclosure |
| Compact all-in-one fixtures | Limited space, heavy batteries | High energy density, compact size (363×212×230mm) |
| Long-run lighting (10+ hrs per night) | Slow recharge, low depth-of-discharge | Fast charge/discharge (max charge current 50A), efficient energy use |
Limitations of Lead-Acid & Lithium Iron Phosphate for Solar Lighting
Both lead-acid and lithium batteries have their place, but each presents drawbacks when used in solar street lighting.
- Lead-acid:
- Provides low cold-weather capacity.
- Requires frequent replacements due to limited cycle life.
- Remains heavy and maintenance-reliant, raising operational overhead.
- Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO₄):
- Offers better cycle life (4,000–6,000 cycles) and temperature range.
- However, comes significantly heavier and more expensive.
- Adds complexity to design; installers often need to change mounting and thermal management.
This leaves room for sodium-ion to offer a balanced alternative.
Table 2: Battery Type Performance Comparison
| Parameter | Lead-Acid | LiFePO₄ | 12V 100Ah Sodium-Ion |
|---|
| Cycle Life | 500–1,000 | 4,000–6,000 | ≥ 4,000 |
| Low-temp Performance | Poor | Good | Excellent (-40℃ discharge capability) |
| Weight | Heavy | Heavier | Light (~13.5 kg, ~40% lighter than lead-acid) |
| Maintenance | High | Low | Very low |
| Cost | Low | High | Moderate |
| Protection Rating | Varies | Varies | IP65 Waterproof & Dustproof |
12V 100Ah Sodium-ion Battery: Core Technical Traits & Site-Specific Advantages
Here we highlight features that matter most to integrators or specifiers:
- Smart BMS – It handles over-charge/discharge protection, temperature monitoring, and interfaces via CAN/RS485. It enables remote monitoring and fault alerts—vital for unattended installations.
- Lightweight design – Weighs about 13.5 kg, roughly 40% lighter than equivalent lead-acid batteries. This matters for fixtures with tight load allowances.
- Excellent low-temp performance – Functions smoothly with discharge temperature down to -40°C and charging recommended down to -20°C, ensuring reliability in harsh climates.
- Long cycle life – It delivers expected life exceeding 4,000 cycles, translating to 7–10 years or more of typical use, which significantly reduces O&M costs.
- IP65 protection – Fully sealed to prevent dust and moisture ingress—a must for any outdoor lighting project.
- Compact dimensions – 363 × 212 × 230 mm fits most solar light battery compartments with minimal or no modification.
- Parallel & Series Scalability – Supports up to 4 in series and 4 in parallel (4S4P) configurations. This enables higher voltage or capacity setups without compromising stability, especially useful for modular or high-demand lighting systems.
Critically, this combination addresses all five pain points, making sodium-based chemistry a compelling match for solar street lights.
Deep Matching Analysis: Solar Light Types & Sodium-Ion Battery
4.1 New Municipal LED Street Lights (with base-mounted battery housing)
Scenario & Issues:
- Located in cold regions.
- The spacious base houses the battery, but overweighting can affect pole stability and installation labor.
- Frequent maintenance triggers costly and hazardous field work.
Battery Fit:
- Cold discharge performance down to -40°C solves winter reliability issues.
- Light weight (~13.5 kg) eases installation and load balancing.
- Long life (≥4000 cycles) reduces repeat visits.
- BMS ensures safe, monitored field operation.
- IP65 rating protects electronics inside base from dust and water ingress.
4.2 Commercial/Car-Park Solar Lights
Scenario & Issues:
- High-power LED requires sustained discharge overnight.
- Large base space is available, but the battery must charge fast in daylight and run consistently.
- Minimal on-site staff prefers remote diagnostics.
Battery Fit:
- High-rate charge/discharge supports longer running times; max continuous charge current 50A at >0°C.
- BMS with remote monitoring detects failures early.
- Compact size and fast installation minimize downtime and labor.
4.3 Integrated High-Mast Solar Lights
Scenario & Issues:
- Slim/compact battery compartments reside inside the pole.
- Height constraints demand closely fitting batteries.
- Safety is critical—leaks or failure at pole top are unacceptable.
Battery Fit:
- 363 × 212 × 230 mm fits most high-mast basements supporting ≥360 × 210 × 230 mm.
- Lightweight reduces stress on mount.
- Auto BMS monitoring preserves battery health.
- IP65 sealing prevents moisture ingress from rain or cleaning.
4.4 Solar Street Lights Battery Compartment Size Match Table
| Light Type | Battery Compartment Size (mm) | Sodium Battery Size (363×212×230 mm) | Fit Likelihood | Notes |
|---|
| Municipal LED lights (base housing) | ≥ 380 × 220 × 240 | 363 × 212 × 230 | Yes, good room | Easy installation |
| Plaza/Parking solar lights | ≥ 370 × 215 × 230 | 363 × 212 × 230 | Yes | Ideal for large-area lighting |
| Integrated high-mast lights | ≥ 360 × 210 × 230 | 363 × 212 × 230 | Likely, check height | Minor adjustment may be needed |
| Portable/small fixtures | < 350 × 200 × 200 | 363 × 212 × 230 | No | Too large for compact designs |
| Old-style small municipal lights | < 360 × 200 × 210 | 363 × 212 × 230 | No | Requires custom battery or fixture mod |
Installation Compatibility & Field Integration Tips
When planning deployment, pay attention to the following details:
5.1 Optimizing Battery Housing Space
- If space is tight, add a small extension to the base, use an external battery box, or reshape mount points.
- Always plan airflow clearance around the battery; heat buildup impacts life, though sodium-ion batteries have relatively good thermal stability.
5.2 Wiring & Controller Compatibility
- Sodium-ion BMS supports CAN, RS485, and UART.
- Ensure your solar charge controller or street light control board can read BMS data or remain compatible.
- Use connectors like M12, RJ45, or waterproof terminals correctly to avoid moisture issues.
5.3 Field Adjustment & Safe Practices
- Connect sequentially: ground, positive, BMS communication lines, then main line.
- Meet torque specs for M8 bolts to avoid vibration loosening.
- Test with dummy load and monitor battery voltage, temperature, and internal resistance for 24 hrs before full commissioning.
Conclusion
The 12V 100Ah sodium ion battery delivers practical and field-proven performance for solar street lighting systems. With cold-resilient operation down to -40°C, a long cycle life of over 4,000 cycles, and lightweight, compact construction, it integrates seamlessly into a wide range of solar fixtures. Its smart BMS enables remote diagnostics, while 4S4P configuration support gives system designers additional flexibility for capacity or voltage scaling.
Kamada Power is a top sodium ion battery manufacturers in China, supporting customized solar street light Sodium ion battery solutions.
If you’re looking to upgrade or build solar lighting projects in municipalities, parking areas, or off-grid zones, contact kamada power our battery expert team today to explore how this sodium-ion battery solution fits your goals.