The basic requirements for solar lighting in a parking lot are solar cell panels or solar sheets and the actual light fixtures and light bulbs. Solar energy systems in parking lots can be used to power any type of light. However, most often solar parking lot lighting systems use low-power lights, like LED (light emitting diodes) light bulbs and CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs.
There are many types of solar lights. These include solar spotlights, lampposts, floodlights, streetlights and parking lot lights. Some of these lights are completely contained systems that include the necessary solar cells, battery charging system, batteries and light detectors all within the light fixture and light mounts. Once installed, which often takes less than an hour, they will turn on automatically after the sun sets. They will then continue to work, usually maintenance free, for periods of over 20 years.
Commercial parking lots with a permanent solar lighting system use solar lighting structures that look very similar to carports. The major difference is that instead of a wood or metal roof, these flat solar roofs are made from high-efficiency solar cell panels.
Another type of solar parking lot structure, which is much lighter than the carport solar structure, is the tensile solar structure. These structures are very similar to tents. However, unlike solar carports, polymer plastic sheets embedded into the fabric of the tent, are used to generate the electricity. However, because polymer solar sheets are less energy-efficient than the cells found in solar panels, the amount of energy obtained per square foot will not be as high.
One reason commercial parking lot owners have converted to solar lighting is that the the initial installation costs and the operating costs are less than electrical lights. Often as an incentive to purchase a solar lighting system, the solar company will offer installation for free and a lease rate that is less than the parking lot is currently paying for electricity.
Commercial parking lots can also sell the electricity they generate. Solar lighting systems can be purchased that have the ability to be directly tied to the electric utility grid. Excess energy that is not needed to power the lights can be sold back to the utility.