FAQ

Yes. All Solar Vision systems are specifically engineered for Canada’s demanding climate.

Unlike many imported products that are sized using average annual solar irradiation or designed for much sunnier regions, our systems are engineered using official solar resource data from Natural Resources Canada, based on the worst solar month of the year (typically December).

Every project is individually sized to ensure sufficient energy autonomy, even during periods of extremely limited sunlight.

Our solar lighting systems are installed throughout Québec and across Canada, where winter temperatures can reach -40°C (-40°F).

ClimaLUX™ is Solar Vision’s exclusive adaptive energy management technology, specifically developed to maximize the performance of solar lighting systems in northern climates.

ClimaLUX™ continuously monitors the system’s energy conditions—including battery state of charge, available solar energy, and the selected operating profile—and automatically adjusts the lighting output whenever weather conditions become unfavorable.

This intelligent energy management system helps maintain reliable lighting through several consecutive days of poor weather while maximizing battery life.

Unlike fixed-output systems, ClimaLUX™ delivers superior reliability without unnecessarily oversizing the solar panel or battery.

Depending on the product series, Solar Vision systems typically provide up to 10 consecutive nights of full autonomy without solar recharging.

This autonomy is calculated according to the specific requirements of each project, including the selected lighting profile and local climatic conditions.

Thanks to ClimaLUX™, the effective operating autonomy can be extended during prolonged periods of cloudy weather by intelligently adapting the system’s energy consumption.

Yes. Photovoltaic solar panels generate electricity whenever they receive natural daylight, even under cloudy or overcast conditions.

Although energy production is naturally lower than on a clear, sunny day, it remains sufficient to partially recharge the battery.

To compensate for these variations in solar energy, all Solar Vision systems are designed with a generous energy reserve, ensuring reliable operation even during periods of reduced sunlight.

No. The photovoltaic modules used by Solar Vision are designed to withstand the most demanding environmental conditions. They are protected by high-strength tempered glass engineered to resist:

• hail;
• snow;
• freezing rain;
• repeated freeze-thaw cycles;
• extreme temperature fluctuations;
• high winds.

Beyond their durability, the location and tilt angle of the solar module play a critical role in the long-term performance and reliability of a solar lighting system.

Solar panels mounted vertically are more accessible and therefore more vulnerable to vandalism, particularly in parks, multi-use trails, pedestrian pathways, and other public spaces.

Vertically mounted panels are also more likely to be accidentally damaged during snow removal, landscaping operations, or routine maintenance of public areas.

For these reasons, Solar Vision has chosen to mount its solar modules out of public reach while optimizing their tilt angle to maximize solar energy collection under Canadian climatic conditions. This design also promotes the natural shedding of snow and helps minimize snow accumulation during the winter months.

The result is a solar lighting system that is more reliable, more durable, and better suited to municipal applications.

The selected tilt angle is always a carefully engineered compromise between:

• annual solar energy production;
• winter energy production;
• natural self-cleaning by rainfall;
• snow shedding;
• wind loading;
• aesthetics;
• resistance to vandalism.

The primary components of a Solar Vision solar lighting system are designed to provide many years of reliable service.

• Solar module: 25+ years
• LED module: بیش 100,000 operating hours
• Aluminum structure: Several decades
• Electronic controller: Designed for industrial outdoor applications, with an expected service life of more than 15 years
• Battery: Typically 5 to 10 years, depending on battery technology, operating profile, and environmental conditions

Solar Vision designs all of its solar lighting systems using readily available, serviceable components to ensure long-term maintainability and simplify future replacements when required.

Solar Vision solar lighting systems require very little maintenance.

Because they operate completely independently of the electrical grid, they require no electrical connection, trenching, or underground electrical infrastructure.

Routine maintenance generally consists of:

• inspecting the overall condition of the luminaire;
• replacing the battery at the end of its service life.

Vision Solaire primarily uses deep-cycle GEL and AGM batteries, recognized for their reliability in solar and outdoor applications. These batteries are available in internationally standardized BCI sizes (such as Group 24, Group 31, etc.), making them easy to source from numerous suppliers while ensuring long-term availability.

To simplify maintenance, all Solar Vision luminaires feature an easy-access battery compartment and quick-connect electrical connectors, allowing the battery to be replaced in just a few minutes without specialized tools or technical training.

Absolutely. Battery selection is one of the most critical aspects of designing a solar lighting system for northern climates.

For this reason, Solar Vision primarily uses deep-cycle GEL and AGM batteries, carefully selected for their durability, reliability, and outstanding performance under Canadian weather conditions.

Unlike lithium batteries, GEL and AGM batteries can continue to accept a charge at temperatures below 0°C (32°F), although charging efficiency gradually decreases as temperatures drop. They do not require an integrated heating system to allow winter charging.

In contrast, LiFePO₄ batteries generally cannot be charged below 0°C (32°F) without a battery heating or thermal management system. In an autonomous solar lighting system, part of the energy generated by the solar panel must therefore be used to warm the battery before charging can begin, reducing the energy available for lighting during the shortest winter days.

GEL and AGM batteries also provide several additional advantages:

• excellent performance over a wide temperature range, typically from -40°C to +50°C (-40°F to +122°F) depending on the battery model;
• a proven technology with decades of successful use in off-grid solar applications;
• exceptional reliability and a very low failure rate;
• worldwide availability from numerous manufacturers;
• standardized battery sizes (BCI Group 24, Group 31, etc.) that simplify future replacement.

Canada’s climate presents some of the world’s most demanding conditions for solar lighting systems.

Since 2010, Vision Solaire has designed and manufactured its products in Québec specifically for these challenging conditions, including:

• long winter nights;
• limited solar energy during the worst solar month of the year;
• temperatures as low as -40°C (-40°F);
• snow, freezing rain, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Our systems are engineered using official solar resource data from Natural Resources Canada and are specifically designed to meet the performance requirements of Canadian municipal infrastructure.

Choosing a local manufacturer also provides access to responsive technical support, dependable after-sales service, readily available replacement parts, and engineering expertise specifically tailored to Canadian projects.

Yes. For municipal, institutional, and commercial projects, Solar Vision can provide a photometric study to verify that the proposed lighting system meets the project’s illumination requirements.

These simulations assist architects, engineers, and lighting designers by validating:

• illumination levels;
• lighting uniformity;
• recommended spacing between luminaires;
• light distribution patterns;
• potential shadow areas.

Photometric studies help optimize the number of luminaires required while ensuring the project meets its lighting performance objectives.

Yes. Depending on the selected model, several operating parameters can be adjusted, including:

• operating hours;
• light output;
• operating profile;
• dusk-to-dawn mode;
• motion sensor activation or deactivation;
• seasonal programming.

These adjustments can be performed quickly and safely from ground level.

No. For the LX Series, infrared (PIR) motion sensors detect changes in heat emitted by people, vehicles, and animals. They are not triggered by moving leaves, rainfall, or wind, resulting in a very low rate of false activations.

For the ZX and TX Series, microwave motion sensors are also available when required by the application, thi motion sensor type is more prone to false activations.

Yes. While most projects can be completed using one of the standard operating profiles available in our product data sheets, Solar Vision also offers fully customized solutions when project requirements extend beyond standard configurations.

Standard configurations are identified in the Ordering Code section of our technical data sheets, allowing architects, engineers, and lighting designers to quickly select a model that meets their project requirements.

For projects with specific requirements, Vision Solaire can customize, among other things:

• light output;
• system autonomy;
• operating profile;
• pole height;
• motion sensors;
• control systems;
• project-specific requirements.

Every system is individually engineered to provide the best balance between performance, autonomy, reliability, acquisition cost, and ease of maintenance.

Our goal is to deliver an optimized solution tailored to the project’s specific requirements rather than forcing compromises with a one-size-fits-all product.

Reliability depends primarily on proper system sizing.

A solar lighting system that is correctly engineered for the Canadian climate can provide reliable operation for many years.

Conversely, a system designed for regions with significantly higher solar resources may experience recurring failures during the fall and winter because the battery may never receive a full recharge under Canadian conditions.

For this reason, every Solar Vision system is individually sized using the actual climatic conditions of the installation site, ensuring reliable year-round performance.

Yes. For municipal, institutional, and commercial projects, Solar Vision can provide a computerized energy assessment demonstrating that the proposed system meets the project’s autonomy requirements based on the applicable climatic data.

This assessment allows architects, engineers, consultants, and project owners to validate the expected system performance before installation.

Solar Vision solar lighting systems offer numerous advantages for municipal applications, including:

• eliminating electricity costs;
• eliminating trenching and underground electrical infrastructure;
• reducing installation time;
• minimizing disruption to existing infrastructure;
• providing a sustainable, low-maintenance lighting solution;
• illuminating remote areas where access to the electrical grid is unavailable or cost-prohibitive.

Not necessarily. Although the purchase price of a solar lighting system is generally higher than that of a conventional LED luminaire alone, it is important to compare the total installed project cost, not just the cost of the luminaire itself.

A conventional lighting installation often requires:

• trenching;
• underground electrical conduits;
• power cable installation;
• concrete foundations designed for electrical conduit entry;
• connection to the electrical grid;
• electrical distribution equipment or service panels;
• electrical permits and inspections;
• specialized electrical contractors.

In contrast, a Vision Solaire solar lighting system is completely autonomous and requires no connection to the electrical grid.

Depending on the site conditions—particularly where long cable runs or complex electrical connections are required—the total installed cost of a solar lighting project can be comparable to, or even lower than, that of a conventional lighting installation.

Additional long-term savings are achieved by eliminating electricity costs and significantly reducing maintenance associated with underground electrical infrastructure.

Solar Vision solar lighting systems are designed to continue operating reliably even after several consecutive days of limited solar energy.

Each system is individually sized using climatic data for the worst solar month at the installation site and includes a substantial energy reserve to ensure dependable performance.

In addition, ClimaLUX™ adaptive technology continuously monitors the battery’s state of charge and automatically adjusts the lighting output whenever weather conditions become unfavorable. This intelligent energy management strategy extends the system’s operating autonomy while maintaining a safe level of illumination.

As soon as sufficient sunlight returns, the battery is automatically recharged and the system gradually resumes normal operation without any user intervention.

Under normal design and operating conditions, this situation is highly unlikely since every Vision Solaire system is engineered with a generous safety margin.

However, if exceptionally unfavorable weather conditions were to completely discharge the battery, the luminaire will temporarily switch off to protect the battery from excessive discharge.

Once the solar module begins generating sufficient energy again, the battery is automatically recharged and the system resumes normal operation without requiring a reset or any user intervention.

This protective strategy helps maximize both battery life and overall system reliability.

In the vast majority of cases (99.9%), no.

Solar Vision solar modules are installed at an optimized tilt angle that promotes the natural shedding of snow while minimizing snow accumulation. Allow a 24 to 48 hours delay for snow clearance.

Even when temporary snow accumulation occurs following a heavy snowfall, the systems are designed with sufficient energy autonomy to continue operating until normal solar conditions return.

Our sizing calculations already account for Canadian winter conditions, including the temporary reduction in solar energy production caused by snow accumulation.

Under normal operating conditions, no special maintenance is required. 

Every project undergoes a detailed energy analysis to determine the configuration that provides the best balance between performance, autonomy, reliability, and cost.

System sizing takes into consideration several factors, including:

• project location;
• solar resource data from Natural Resources Canada;
• the worst solar month of the year;
• luminaire wattage;
• the required operating profile;
• operating hours;
• solar module orientation and tilt angle;
• battery capacity;
• appropriate engineering safety margins to ensure reliable operation.

This engineering approach allows Vision Solaire to provide a solution specifically optimized for the actual site conditions rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all design.

For municipal, institutional, and commercial projects, Solar Vision can also provide an energy assessment demonstrating that the proposed configuration meets the project’s autonomy requirements.

Yes. Solar Vision’s solar lighting systems are completely self-contained and operate independently of the electrical grid.

Each system generates its own energy using a photovoltaic solar module and stores it in an integrated battery.

As a result, Solar Vision’s solar lighting systems continue to operate normally during power outages, making them an ideal solution for security lighting, parks, multi-use trails, parking lots, emergency shelters, and other critical municipal infrastructure.

Each battery technology offers its own advantages.

Based on many years of experience designing solar lighting systems for northern climates, Solar Vision primarily uses deep-cycle AGM and GEL batteries for most of its commercial applications.

Unlike lithium batteries, AGM and GEL batteries can continue to accept a charge at temperatures below 0°C (32°F) without requiring an integrated battery heating system. In an autonomous solar lighting system, this allows all of the energy generated by the solar module to be used for charging the battery and powering the lighting system, rather than warming the battery before charging can begin.

AGM and GEL batteries also require no Battery Management System (BMS). Lithium batteries, on the other hand, rely on an electronic Battery Management System to monitor charging, discharging, cell balancing, and protection against over-voltage, under-voltage, and overheating.

Although a BMS is essential for the safe operation of lithium batteries, it also represents an additional electronic component that may affect the overall reliability of the system should a failure occur. Because AGM and GEL batteries have a much simpler design, they eliminate this potential point of failure, contributing to their well-established reputation for reliability in autonomous solar lighting applications.

AGM and GEL batteries also offer several additional advantages:

• exceptional reliability in northern climates;
• reliable operation over a wide temperature range;
• a proven technology with decades of successful field experience;
• standardized battery sizes (BCI Group 24, Group 31, etc.) that simplify future replacement;
• worldwide availability from numerous suppliers;
• generally lower replacement costs.

At Solar Vision, battery technology is never selected based on market trends. Instead, it is chosen to provide the most reliable, easiest-to-maintain solution that is best suited to the climatic conditions and performance requirements of each project.

Yes. Solar Vision offers a variety of light distribution patterns that allow lighting to be precisely matched to the project’s requirements while minimizing light directed toward the night sky or outside the intended illumination area.

Depending on the product series, several color temperatures are available, including 3000 K, 2200 K, and a 590 nm amber option designed for environmentally sensitive areas, including applications requiring wildlife or sea turtle habitat protection.

By selecting the appropriate light distribution, color temperature, mounting height, and operating profile, Solar Vision systems provide excellent visibility and safety while reducing light pollution and energy consumption.

Solar lighting is an excellent solution whenever access to the electrical grid is difficult, expensive, or simply unavailable.

Vision Solaire systems are particularly well suited for applications such as:

• municipal parks;
• bicycle paths;
• pedestrian walkways;
• community mailbox areas;
• parking lots;
• bus shelters;
• marinas;
• campgrounds;
• remote locations.

Even where electrical service is available, a solar lighting solution can significantly reduce installation costs by eliminating trenching, underground electrical wiring, and utility connections.

Vision Solaire’s technical team can evaluate your project and recommend the most appropriate solution based on your specific application and performance requirements.

In most cases, only a few key pieces of information are needed to recommend the most suitable solar lighting solution, including:

• project location;
• type of area to be illuminated;
• desired mounting height;
• required lighting level;
• desired operating hours;
• dimensions of the area to be illuminated;
• any site-specific requirements or constraints.

Based on this information, Vision Solaire can recommend the appropriate product, operating profile, and, when required, provide an energy assessment and a photometric study.

In most cases, yes.

Like any photovoltaic system, a solar lighting system must be installed in an area that receives adequate sunlight.

Locations heavily shaded by buildings, mature trees, or other obstructions may reduce solar energy production.

During the design phase, Vision Solaire evaluates the installation environment to ensure the selected location will provide the expected system performance. If necessary, we may recommend relocating the installation or selecting a different system configuration.

A high-performance solar lighting system is the result of a carefully balanced design that considers many factors, including:

• solar panel power;
• battery capacity;
• luminaire efficiency;
• operating profile;
• geographic latitude;
• solar module orientation and tilt;
• system autonomy;
• ClimaLUX™ adaptive technology.

Comparing solar lighting systems based solely on solar panel wattage or battery capacity is like comparing two vehicles based only on engine horsepower, without considering their weight, transmission, or aerodynamics. The true performance of a solar lighting system depends on the overall balance and optimization of the entire system.

Since 2010, Solar Vision has been designing and manufacturing commercial solar lighting systems in Québec. With more than 16 years of continuous innovation, we have developed solutions specifically engineered for Canadian climatic conditions. This expertise is reflected in every product we design, where each component is carefully selected and optimized to achieve the ideal balance between performance, reliability, autonomy, and ease of maintenance.