Signify expands solar lighting potential to northern countries using new hybrid charging technology

• Increases the number of places where solar lighting is a feasible solution
• Also supports remote monitoring of lighting infrastructure
• Increases lumen output to 24,000 lumen
   

Eindhoven, the Netherlands – Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, is unlocking the benefits of solar lighting to a much larger number of countries. The launch of Signify’s new integrated Philips Combo Charge Controller enables the emergence of hybrid solar systems. These enable streetlights to use clean solar-powered electricity when there is sunshine and the mains grid at other times. This is expected to open up new markets for solar-powered lighting. Adding to the many countries in Asia, Africa, South America, Australia and Spain, where Signify has already installed solar lighting.
 

Solar lighting is a key part of our commitment to sustainability as we aim to help our customers move to cleaner technologies. The expansion to new areas will strengthen our ambition to provide communities across the world with high-quality and clean solar-powered lighting.
 

The new combo charge controller is also able to boost the output of solar streetlights to 24,000 lumens and supports wireless remote monitoring functionality. The new technology will be integrated into all the solar lighting products Signify is launching this year.

The solar panels charge the batteries during the day and the stored energy powers the LEDs at night. If the batteries run out of power, the LEDs are powered with energy drawn from the power grid. Hybrid solar systems only need a solar panel and battery capacity of one day as grid power is available during cloudy days or in wintertime, whereas off-grid solar lighting systems typically need up to five days of panel and battery capacity. This makes solar lighting now also a feasible solution in areas with seasonal sunshine and will greatly help on saving energy in those places.

The new combo charge controller also increases efficiency and reliability. It’s now possible to drive LEDs more efficiently, further reducing size – and consequently costs – of batteries and panels while at the same time increasing reliability of the whole system.

The new generation of the combo charge controller can drive luminaires from 5,000 to 24,000 lumens. This allows them to target a wider range of applications from pedestrian paths to main city roads. It is also possible to service a wider range of autonomy days, which represents the number of days that energy is stored in the battery. The integrated LED driver enables a system efficacy of up to 170 lumens/Watt from 140 lumens/Watt, the highest in the industry.

Signify invests in relevant lighting technology and expertise to improve lives and enables communities to grow. The company has raised awareness about the role of solar lighting, including its contribution to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal number 7 by making cities and communities safer and greener.