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In recent years, solar street lighting has become an increasingly attractive solution in the UK, offering numerous benefits such as cost savings on trenching, quick fixes for temporary lighting applications, and energy savings. Solar technology ticks many sustainability boxes. When combined with the reuse of existing street lighting infrastructure, it aligns with the principles of the circular economy, helping to preserve natural resources and enhance cost-effectiveness.
However, while retrofitting solar lighting to existing columns is a viable option for many projects, it’s essential to assess it’s suitability based on two critical questions:
A solar lighting system adds additional weight and wind loading to the column. Therefore it’s crucial to ensure that your current column is designed, manufactured and rated to withstand these extra demands. If your existing column is robust enough to accommodate the increased weight and wind forces, retrofitting solar lighting is feasible. However, if the column lacks the necessary strength, it will need to be replaced to support a solar luminaire and panels.
Solar street lighting relies entirely on sunlight to function optimally. Therefore, the solar panel must be installed in a location free from shadows, with direct exposure to sunlight and with no obstructions, such as trees. If your existing column is situated in such an area, retrofitting solar lighting is viable. However, if the column is shaded, the solar lighting system may perform inefficiently or fail to operate altogether. In such cases, alternatives to solar should be considered.
If you answered “yes” to both questions, retrofitting solar lighting to your existing column is indeed possible. We offer easy-to-install solar street light retrofit kits with short lead times, designed to mount onto existing columns offering an environmentally friendly, off-grid solution to replace mains-powered streetlighting. Talk to one of our team to get started today.
If you answered ‘no’ to one or both of the above questions, we recommend reconsidering the use of your current column for solar retrofitting. Our Solar Lighting Buying Guide provides valuable guidance, listing all the essential information to consider from any solar lighting manufacturer or distributor.
If you need help determining the suitability of a solar lighting retrofit for your project, our experienced lighting specialists are here to help. Whether it’s finding the best solution for your existing column or exploring alternative solar lighting options, our team offers comprehensive support throughout the entire installation and maintenance process.
Our story
The idea for Acrospire was formed in 2012 when founder Tim envisioned a different kind of lighting manufacturer: one that would not only deliver outstanding customer experiences but also prioritise fair treatment for its employees.
We’ve come a long way
Motivated by the belief the industry wanted and needed better, Tim shared his plan to establish his own venture with Hatty, who simply couldn't let him do it alone.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Protecting local jobs and ensuring the best quality possible.
Working from a rented office by day and assembling lanterns in a garage at night, Tim and Hatty set to work.
11 Years later
Acrospire now inhabits a 14000² ft manufacturing facility in Basingstoke, Hampshire. We’re a proud partner of the Made in Britain scheme, ISO9001 certified and a member of all relevant lighting industry trade bodies.
Along with great relationships with our customers and a great team! We've attracted some of the most experienced members of the lighting industry, all by following one golden rule.
A simple ethos
That runs through all that we do. Customers who have made the switch to Acrospire have found working with us to be a breath of fresh air.
If you’re a professional in the lighting industry, you’re probably familiar with warranties that range from 3 to 10 years, with extensions available on special request or at additional cost. At Acrospire, where we’re proud to be different, we offer a market-leading simple 12-year warranty, as standard.
We focus on our customers not our competition. We manufacture our products in the UK: with the exception of our solar products, our supply chain is within a 60-mile radius of our factory in Basingstoke: to maintain greater control over quality. We al
Speed of response is crucial when it comes to resolving warranty issues. If we’ve made a mistake, we own it, get to the root cause, and fix it as quickly as possible. We believe in timely communication with our customers and making the resolution pro
Test and Test Again
We believe in independent testing and certification. Our new product development is in line with ISO 9001. Many of our products hold ENEC Certification. To meet the requirements of ENEC we also send random product samples for third party safety testi
Our product design is another key factor in our ability to offer a 12-year warranty. We value engineer rather than cost cut, never compromising on quality. We stick to our processes and engage with our supply chain to ensure that every product meets