Frequently Asked Questions

INSTALLATION, LIFESPAN, & MAINTENANCE

What is the installation method, and what are the requirements?

Our installation process is a direct burial method. A soil study and a local code review is performed to determine required depth and if additional reinforcement or footer is required. Watch our installation video to learn more.

What is the lifespan of each component of the light?

The service agreement covers all maintenance and component replacement obligations which includes:

Battery: every 8 years
LED Fixture: every 10 years
Solar Panel: every 20 years

Is theft or vandalism of the solar panels common?

Of the 12,000+ streetlights we’ve installed, only a handful have experienced such issues. Our solar panels are even popular in areas prone to copper wire theft, thanks to their secure and tamper-resistant design.

Do your streetlights need to be cleaned frequently?

Not usually! In most areas, rain naturally keeps them clean. Occasional manual cleaning may be needed in particularly dusty or dirty environments to maintain peak performance.

What is the recommended method for washing the solar panels?

Its recommended to clean the solar panel surface once per year using distilled water and a microfiber cloth. If the panel is accessible without a bucket truck, a telescopic cleaning arm may be used. Warning: Do not use a pressure washer. High-pressure water can damage the solar cells or compromise the panel seals.

Are there specific landscaping maintenance required for optimal performance?

It is best practice to annually trim back nearby trees or branches that could shade the solar panel and reduce energy collection.

PROJECT DESIGN, QUOTING PROCESS, & COST

What is the cost per light on your average project?

The cost of a solar lighting project varies depending on site location and amount of sunlight required to power the system.

Service Agreement option: $50–$55 per month, per light
Direct Sales option: $5,000–$6,000 per light

What is typical production time?

For orders over 100 units, production typically takes 12 weeks from contract signing to installation. For smaller projects under 100 units, we maintain ready-toship inventory for faster deployment.

Do you provide the photometric drawings for the site plan?

Yes, we have a full in-house engineering team to provide photometric plans. Signed and sealed drawings are provided upon request.

How do you address design code requirements per municipality?

Part of our photometric design includes a review of local municipal code. All of our photometric designs meet IES standards and our AVE and BLVD modern lights are DarkSky approved.

PRODUCT PERFORMANCE

How do your lights perform during severe weather events like hurricanes or tornadoes

Our system is engineered and tested for extreme conditions, performing in winds up to 180 mph with embedment. In real-world tests, Streetleaf lights remained fully operational through Hurricane Ian (Category 5, 2022) and Hurricane Milton (Category 3, 2024).

How well will solar-powered streetights work in my area?

Our solar-powered streetlights perform well in most areas across the U.S. They’re most cost-effective in Sunbelt states, where sunlight is abundant. In northern regions, larger panels and batteries may be required, but the systems remain a feasible and reliable option. We conduct a feasibility study for each project location to ensure optimal performance.

Are the poles designed to take any additional wind load from street blades or traffic signs, etc?

Pole capacity varies by project and local wind conditions. While we can run load calculations for specific cases, we generally do not recommend adding attachments such as signs or street blades to ensure long-term performance and safety.

What if it is cloudy? Will the lights still turn on at night?

Yes. Solar panels continue to collect energy even on cloudy days. Just like you can get sunburned through cloud cover, the panels still receive UV rays and keep charging. Our systems are designed for reliable performance, and the batteries provide 3 to 5 days of backup power even without direct sunlight.

How does our lighting performance compare to a traditional streetlight?

Streetleaf lights are more efficient and resilient than traditional streetlights. Because they are DC-powered, they avoid the energy loss that occurs when AC-powered lights convert electricity to DC. Our lights stay on during power outages and severe weather. Additionally, through our 24/7 maintenance dashboard, we continuously monitor performance and perform proactive maintenance.

Do Streetleaf lights meet DOT lighting requirements?

Our lights meet IES standards and local municipal codes. While we are in ongoing discussions with DOT agencies, our current products are not designed for high-speed roadways such as interstates and highways.

PRODUCT OPTIONS

Do you have bollard light options for parking lots?

We currently have a bollard light in development, expected to be available early 2026. In the meantime, we offer smaller lighting solutions that can meet parking lot lighting needs today

Do you offer streetlighting for amenities, such as around pools?

Our streetlights are best suited for trails, dog parks, parking lots, mail kiosks, and pedestrian areas. At this time, we do not support poolside or sports court lighting.

Do you offer multiple lighting options to meet architectural or aesthetic requirements?

Yes. We offer custom pole colors and a classical design option in addition to our standard model, allowing you to choose a look that fits your project’s style.