Our glorious sun has always been radiating light and beauty. And since the last decades, its power has been harnessed with solar panels. Today, with depleting fossil fuels worldwide, the sun takes center stage even in lighting up the hockey rink.
Solar LED lights are a cost-competitive way to illuminate your outdoor ice arena. With a range of simple solutions, you can cut your operating costs while solving your energy problems. Solar energy is free and it is going to be the future of sports lighting.
However, a question remains. Is the available solar tech so advanced that investing in a solar-powered ice rink makes sense? Read on to read the pros and cons of today’s solar panels for outdoor ice hockey rinks.
Why are solar sports lights so common nowadays?
Solar techs are taking long and fast strides towards better products and efficiency. In detail, the solar modules are at the forefront of green technology and constantly improving.
To meet the ice hockey rink owners’ energy needs, many factors are critical. For example, the location and orientation of the outdoor hockey rink. Nonetheless, net zero energy consumption still remains an attainable goal. Especially with the help of better designers in the construction industry.
In any sports arena, winning is the absolute goal. But in hockey, winning takes long hours of practice and matches on the ice between opposing teams. Hockey players grab their hockey sticks and skate for the win as a team. Therefore, they need to practice for long hours. This requires the use of many ice rinks. Including the outdoor ice-skating rinks.
Solar LED sports lights meet the owners’ and players’ energy demand. Each lighting device offers a portable, lightweight lamp with enough solar cells to replenish the battery. Or they can take the form of heavier light towers you can move around easily.
Pros of solar ice rink LED lights
1. Low heat output
Unlike traditional light sources, LED lights prevent the ice rink from melting. Thanks to a low-heat output, you can illuminate the ice arena for hours on end. All the while, the players can keep skating and inspire young talents to try this sport. Instead, halogen and gas-discharge lamps are not suitable for such a long use.
For one thing, HPS and metal halide lamps emit a hot beam of light that can melt the ice. For the other, they overheat pretty quickly. So, you need to wait for at least an hour before lighting them up again.
LED lights have no cool-down period. It allows hockey players an amazing learning experience no matter how long they need to practice in the neutral zone or the goal crease. But it also ensures more season tickets for better profits. In fact, without any ice melting issue, owners can hold more events and competitions.
2. No hassle
No underground wiring is an attractive perk for outdoor ice arena owners. Especially if they are racing towards a tight deadline. As the solar LED lights just need a good spot to harvest the sunrays, moving the fixtures is easy.
If you need to set up an outdoor ice rink for the playoffs of the local tournament, you just do it. No need to call an electrician to request a quote for a new electric system. Of course, solar lights are ideal for places where no power source is available due to the terrain conditions.
You do not need to run a wire or a transformer. Plus, most products are usually waterproof. So, you can install them anywhere it is more useful for you.
3. Save electricity bill
The solar modules generate electricity thus saving you money. Of course, each product has a different module and different battery. Usually, the bigger the solar light and module, the better the light output.
When the sun’s rays fall on solar cells, the latter ones convert sunlight into electricity. Unlike alternating current, the generated direct current lights up the LED light, causing no flickering.
Solar energy is a completely clean and renewable form of energy. Plus, this energy gets stored in a battery for later use. Also, most products have customizable dusk to dawn sensors for no power wastage.
When it comes to outdoor ice rinks, being able to provide light during a cloudy day is helpful for all the players, goalies, and referees. When fully charged, most products provide hours of light. Plus, you can manage the brightness through smart controls.
4. Smart control
Solar-powered LED lighting combines the best remote control options with long-lasting light sources. So, you can find many products on the market. Some of them also have a bonus remote controller. But usually, you can pair the solar lights with your smartphone.
Here is what you can do by using the smart control system:
- control the brightness up and down
- set a schedule for when the darkness fall
- use the smartphone to switch on/off the lights
- changing the color temperature
Most light units remember the change that you make. Instead, others let you create a profile on an app to select your preferences. With most apps, you can group the lights to control them at the same time. Otherwise, marking the lights with stickers will help you remember which light shines on the right wing and which one on the left one.
Cons of solar LED rink lights
1. Long charging time
Solar radiation is one of the most crucial factors in power generation. In detail, solar irradiance is the measure of the number of sun rays that fall on the photovoltaic module surface. So, the solar cells must bask in the sun for several hours to charge the battery.
Virtually all solar cells cannot charge quickly during cloudy days. For example, a dense cloud cover can prevent the battery from charging at all. Every day, there is a variable window of useful sun rays depending on the season. Simply put, solar panels do not work at their maximum capacity at all times.
If you underestimate the power consumption of the lights, this can cause problems. For example, the lights might go off during the last period. Especially if you keep the light on during each 15-minute intermission. Or the referee might not notice some elbowing going on some feet away.
2. Low power lamps
Most models are not ideal for high level competition. In detail, the power consumption is around or less than 100W for solar lights. So, the lights cannot produce super bright illumination. Of course, for some outdoor ice arenas, this fact is a deal-breaker.
The good news is that these products are usually cost-effective. So, you can purchase them for retrofitting an old hockey rink that has a traditional lighting system. Or put them in your backyard for lighting up your training ice rink.
As the LED lights are low power, you should mount them at a lower height. Also, tilting them at different angles may prove to be beneficial for the best results.
3. Need periodic cleaning
Generally, solar power production peaks between 11 AM and 2 PM. But sometimes, some factors affect such as dust solar power production. Even if it is not a cloudy or rainy day, electricity generation can take a hit if modules are dusty. Luckily, solar sports lights are easy to maintain. An average solar cell may last 25 years or more if you regularly clean the module. For cleaning, warm water and a soft microfiber cloth are enough.
Snow or dust may deposit on the solar panel, but the cleaning does not take hours. Other factors that may cause the modules to become dirty are:
- bird droppings
- muddy rain
- sea salt
- pollen
- pollution
If you choose the right location, you can your solar lights clean for longer. For your safety, you should never clean the module during the hottest hours of the day.
4. Decorative string lights
Sometimes, the outdoor ice arena has been previously built in a wooded area with no power source. So, solar string lights are a solution. Mainly because you can set them virtually anywhere.
Hanging string lights is an effective way to liven up a dim-lit hockey rink. But string lights are more a decorative item than lighting devices. In short, they do not light up the whole area properly. So, you cannot rely solely on string lights.
They work great during the holiday season. But with regards to their efficiency for sports activities that involve a hefty puck and skates, they are not safe.
Is it worthwhile to install solar lights in an ice hockey rink?
Yes, absolutely. For one thing, you can save thousands of dollars just by making some careful upgrades before you install them. Without any doubt, the current technology is not in line with the professional hockey players’ expectations. But they can still be great for training and recreational purposes.
With solar LED lights, you can start small. Then, you scale up bit by bit as you see fit. More importantly, the provider should give you exact information on how to install the lights correctly. For example, the battery will charge will work better if the module faces south. Similarly, changing the angle of the module can improve its functionality. When you know these little details, the rest just falls into place.
