Roadway & Street Lights

ELEDLights Buyer’s Guide: LED Street & Roadway Lights

Illuminate streets, parking lots, and campuses with reliable, energy-efficient LED cobra head and solar street lights. Whether you’re upgrading from outdated HID fixtures or looking for off-grid solar solutions, our collection delivers long-lasting performance, superior illumination, and significant energy savings. This guide covers everything you need to know about selecting the right fixtures, optimizing performance, and maximizing cost savings.

Why Upgrade to LED Cobra Head & Street Lights?

Conventional outdoor lighting, like high-pressure sodium (HPS) or metal halide (MH) lamps, comes with limitations:

• Short lifespan: Fixtures often need replacement every 12,000–20,000 hours.
• High energy use: Older HPS and MH lights consume more power, increasing operating costs.
• Uneven illumination: Poor light distribution can leave dark spots, reducing safety and visibility.

LED cobra head lights offer a modern solution:

• Energy savings up to 70% compared to traditional lighting
• 50,000+ hour lifespans with minimal maintenance
• Uniform light spread with options for Type III, IV, and V distributions
• Better color rendering and reduced light pollution
• Eligibility for utility and solar rebates

Upgrading is often as simple as a one-for-one replacement, keeping existing poles and infrastructure while eliminating headaches.

When It’s Time to Upgrade Older LED or HID Fixtures

Even existing LED installations can fall behind today’s technology:

• New LED cobra heads are slimmer, cooler, and more energy-efficient
• Selectable wattage and color temperature options provide flexibility
• Smart features like motion sensing, dimming, and daylight harvesting are now standard
• Fixtures older than 5 years may qualify for utility rebates if replacements are 20%+ more efficient

If your lights are outdated, inefficient, or lack modern controls, it’s time to consider an upgrade. ELEDLights helps make this process simple, often reducing costs with utility-backed rebates.

Choosing the Right Cobra Head or Solar Street Light

Step 1: Know Your Application

• Parking Lots: Type III or Type V beam angles, 100W–300W LED, photocell-ready
• Roadways & Streets: 150W+ cobra head or shoebox fixtures, Type III or IV distribution
• Rural/Off-Grid Areas: Solar-powered LED street lights eliminate wiring and energy costs

Step 2: Match Beam Angles to Layout

• Type III: Forward and wide throw; ideal for parking lot edges or perimeter poles
• Type IV: Forward semicircle; great for large roads or campus drives
• Type V: Symmetrical, all-directional; best for central poles in open areas

Step 3: Consider Smart Features & Controls

Modern cobra heads and solar fixtures may include:

• Plug-and-play photocells for dusk-to-dawn control
• Optional motion sensors
• Wireless or smart controls
• Selectable wattage and color temperature

Solar Fixtures: Outdoor Lighting Without the Wiring Hassle

Imagine installing a street light that requires no wiring and costs nothing to operate. Our solar cobra heads and area lights deliver this:

• Each fixture comes with its own solar panel, lithium battery, and LED array
• Motion sensors help conserve battery life
• Panels can provide 3–5 days of continuous operation without sunlight
• Ideal for rural areas, temporary sites, and locations without access to grid power

Solar vs. Wired LED Street Lights

Finding the Best Tilt Angle for Your Solar Panels

Maximizing energy output depends on proper solar panel tilt:

• Latitude-based guideline: Tilt angle ≈ your location’s latitude (e.g., 35° for 35°N)
• Seasonal adjustments: Summer: decrease tilt by 10–15°, Winter: increase tilt by 10–15°
• Fixed vs. adjustable mounts: Fixed is low-maintenance; adjustable maximizes annual energy capture
• Orientation: Always face panels true south (Northern Hemisphere) or true north (Southern Hemisphere)
• Avoid shade: Trees, buildings, or other obstacles reduce energy collection

Correct tilt ensures consistent illumination, extended battery life, and maximum return on investment.

Mounting Options for Cobra Head & Street Lights

• Slipfitter Mounts: Adjustable tenon mounts for fine-tuned directional lighting
• Direct Pole/Adjustable Pole Mounts: Fixed-angle for symmetrical coverage
• Yoke/Trunnion Mounts: Flexible mounting for directional or perimeter lighting
• Wall Mounts: Ideal for courtyards, alleys, or building exteriors

Pole hardware and adapters ensure your fixtures are safely and securely mounted on round, square, or multi-fixture poles.

Utility Rebates & Solar Incentives

Many ELEDLights cobra head and solar fixtures are DLC-listed and qualify for commercial rebates, helping you:

• Reduce upfront costs by 30–70% on average – up to 99%
• Shorten payback periods, sometimes to under a year
• Upgrade older LED or HID systems to more efficient models

PECO Commercial Customer Incentives:

• Custom rebates of $0.10 per kWh saved for solar-powered LED systems
• Eligibility for commercial and industrial properties
• Covers both product and contractor installation costs (excluding internal labor)

People Also Ask

Q: Are LED cobra head street lights worth it?
A: Yes—LED cobra heads reduce energy costs, offer longer lifespans, and improve visibility for streets, parking lots, and campuses.

Q: How long do solar street lights last?
A: Commercial-grade solar LED lights can last 10+ years with minimal maintenance. Battery replacements may be needed after 5–7 years.

Q: How do solar street lights work?
A: Solar panels charge the internal battery during daylight. LEDs draw from this battery to provide nighttime illumination. Smart features can conserve energy during low-use periods.

Q: What is the best height for solar street lights?
A: Pole height depends on application: 15–25 ft is common for streets, 20–30 ft for large parking lots, and shorter poles for pathways or small courtyards.

Q: Can I install solar street lights myself?
A: Yes, many ELEDLights solar fixtures are plug-and-play and don’t require wiring. For larger installations, our experts can provide layouts and installation guidance.

Why Buy Cobra Head & Solar Lights From ELEDLights?

• Real people, not bots: Speak with experts who understand your project needs
• Free lighting layouts: Ensure optimal fixture placement, spacing, and beam coverage
• Energy audits: Identify potential savings before installation
• Contractor loyalty program: Rewards for repeat commercial buyers
• Utility rebate support: Handle all paperwork to maximize incentives

Explore Your Options

ELEDLights carries a complete range of cobra head and solar street lights:

• 50W–150W+ solar street lights
• Wired LED cobra heads 100W–300W
• Type III, IV, and V beam distributions
• Motion sensing, dimming, and dusk-to-dawn controls
• Multiple mounting options for poles, walls, and yoke fixtures

Whether improving safety, reducing energy costs, or upgrading infrastructure, we have the right solution—and a team ready to help you every step of the way.

Get in Touch With a Lighting Expert: