Choosing solar or mains power affects a traffic signal’s total cost of ownership (TCO). Compare installation, operation, battery replacement and maintenance over the same project-defined assessment period. Use site-specific quotations and documented assumptions; illustrative costs are not guaranteed project prices.
Quick Cost Comparison
| Item | Solar (10-yr TCO) | Mains (10-yr TCO) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial install | Calculate from the stated inputs over the same assessment period. | Calculate from the stated inputs over the same assessment period. |
| Battery replacement | AGM replacement cost: use current quotations and the defined replacement assumptions. | Calculate from the stated inputs over the same assessment period. |
| Electricity | Calculate from the stated inputs over the same assessment period. | Calculate from the stated inputs over the same assessment period. |
| Maintenance | Scheduled visit: obtain a quotation for the defined scope. | Calculate from the stated inputs over the same assessment period. |
| Battery disposal | Calculate from the stated inputs over the same assessment period. | Calculate from the stated inputs over the same assessment period. |
| Total 10-yr TCO | Calculate from the stated inputs over the same assessment period. | Calculate from the stated inputs over the same assessment period. |
For remote and grid-adjacent sites, compare solar and mains costs using the same assessment period and service requirements. Include connection works, energy, batteries, maintenance and replacements. State the assumptions and current quotations rather than promising a fixed percentage saving.
Installation Cost Breakdown
Solar Installation
- Obtain a quotation for the required solar panel and mounting assembly; $800-1,500 is not a universal price for all capacities and sites.
- AGM battery bank: quote the required capacity, configuration and installation scope.
- MPPT charge controller: use the quotation for the required voltage, current and battery compatibility.
- Pole and foundation: obtain a quotation based on the approved design and local installation scope.
- 300mm signal set: obtain a quotation for the actual quantity, configuration and required documentation.
- Obtain a project-specific total quotation; $5,000-7,900 is not a universal installed-system price.
Mains Installation
- Obtain a quotation for the specified signal-head quantity and configuration; $1,400-1,800 is not a universal package price.
- Pole and foundation: obtain a quotation based on the approved design and local installation scope.
- Mains connection: obtain a site-specific quotation including route, excavation, reinstatement and permissions.
- For a mains connection over 500m, obtain a site-specific quotation covering the route, trenching, cables, permits and utility connection; $10,000-25,000 is not a universal project cost.
- Obtain a site-specific total quotation for a grid-adjacent installation; $5,400-7,800 is not a universal installed cost.
- Remote-site total: obtain a project quotation covering equipment, transport, installation, power supply and any required civil works.
Operating Cost Comparison
Solar Operating Cost
- No grid-energy charge for solar generation; include the system’s capital and maintenance costs.
- Battery replacement: assess the selected AGM or LiFePO4 battery using its condition, usable capacity, temperature and duty history, and the manufacturer’s maintenance criteria.
- Obtain a quotation for the required annual maintenance scope and travel; $200 per visit is not a universal service price.
- Panel cleaning: estimate the frequency and cost from local soiling, safe access and the maintenance plan; do not assume rainfall removes the need for cleaning.
Calculate from the stated inputs over the same assessment period.
Mains Operating Cost
- Illustrative electricity calculation: an assumed continuous 80 W load uses 80 × 24 × 365 / 1000 = 700.8 kWh/year. At an assumed $0.15/kWh, the energy cost is $105.12/year. Actual cost depends on measured average load, operating schedule and the applicable tariff.
- Surge protection replacement: budget from the selected device’s condition, replacement criteria and current quotation.
- Maintenance visits: estimate labour, travel and inspection costs for the approved schedule.
- Calculate 10-year operating costs from the documented energy, maintenance and replacement assumptions; $1,500 is not a universal total.
When Solar Wins (TCO)
Assess solar lifecycle cost where:
- Assess the actual grid-connection route and cost.
- Trenching costs materially increase the verified grid-connection quotation
- Electricity is expensive ($0.20+/kWh)
- Site solar exposure: verify design-month resources, shading and energy balance for the selected system.
- Battery access for replacement is feasible
- Confirm the required autonomy from the project’s weather, load and availability assumptions; 3+ days is acceptable only if the approved design supports that requirement.
Where a mains connection requires extensive trenching, obtain a site-specific civil-works quotation and compare it with a fully sized solar system. Calculate payback from documented costs and operating assumptions rather than assuming that solar recovers its cost in the first year.
When Mains Wins (TCO)
Mains is more cost-effective when:
- Verify the grid-connection route and quotation.
- High availability is critical: assess mains outages and any backup-system failure modes.
- Traffic signal must operate 24/7 regardless of weather
- Site is in an area with poor solar exposure
- The applicable long-term electricity tariff is favourable; verify any subsidy and its duration.
For hospital access roads, fire stations and other critical facilities, assess power continuity and failure response as project requirements. Compare mains, solar, backup and hybrid options against the site risks and approved operating plan rather than specifying a supply type solely from the facility category.
Battery Chemistry Comparison
| Chemistry | Cycle Life | Cost | TCO Impact (10-yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AGM Lead-Acid | Verify the selected battery data and operating conditions. | Calculate from the stated inputs over the same assessment period. | Calculate from the stated inputs over the same assessment period. |
| Gel Lead-Acid | Verify the selected battery data and operating conditions. | Verify the selected battery data and operating conditions. | Calculate from the stated inputs over the same assessment period. |
| LiFePO4 | Verify the selected battery data and operating conditions. | Calculate from the stated inputs over the same assessment period. | Include replacement costs for components that require renewal during the assessment period. |
Calculate from the stated inputs over the same assessment period.
Reliability Trade-offs
| Aspect | Solar | Mains |
|---|---|---|
| Uptime | Assess availability and recovery from the site failure modes and maintenance plan. | Assess availability and recovery from the site failure modes and maintenance plan. |
| Outage cause | Battery, weather | Grid failure, equipment |
| Recovery | Assess availability and recovery from the site failure modes and maintenance plan. | Assess availability and recovery from the site failure modes and maintenance plan. |
| Maintenance | Battery-focused | Equipment-focused |
Assess solar-system availability using the site resource, load, battery condition, autonomy target and maintenance plan. For critical applications, evaluate a dual-source arrangement only after confirming equipment compatibility, transfer behaviour and the approved protection design; do not assume a guaranteed uptime.
Conclusion
Compare solar and mains power over the same assessment period using the actual grid-connection distance and quotation, solar resource, load, battery replacement assumptions and required availability. There is no universal break-even distance or saving percentage; for critical infrastructure, assess failure modes and the approved backup design.
GAOQIAO can help you decide based on your specific site. Send us your distance to grid, electricity rate, and reliability requirements.
Get a Quote
Send the site details to discuss the equipment quotation and the information needed for a 10-year total-cost-of-ownership comparison.
Email: sky-sale@njgq.net
WhatsApp/Phone: +86-18805173545
Tel: +86-25-84471080
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do solar traffic signals last?
Plan replacement separately for signal heads, batteries and solar panels using model-specific evidence and the operating conditions. Track battery capacity, optical performance and panel output against the project’s acceptance limits. Do not treat generic year ranges as guaranteed service life or a fixed replacement schedule.
Can I add mains backup later?
Adding mains backup requires confirmation of the selected controller and power-system compatibility. Have qualified personnel design the source transfer, protection, earthing and testing under the applicable rules; do not assume that automatic failover is included or that the modification is a simple connection.
What is the actual battery cost over 10 years?
Compare AGM and LiFePO4 batteries over the same project assessment period using current quotations and model-specific replacement assumptions. Include installation, usable capacity, temperature, charging requirements and end-of-life criteria. A higher purchase price alone does not establish which option has the lower lifetime cost.
Does solar work in winter?
Winter operation depends on site-specific sizing. Check the limiting seasonal solar resource, load, temperature effects and required autonomy, and confirm that the selected battery and charging system meet the approved design assumptions. Annual-average sunshine alone is insufficient to establish winter performance.
Related GAOQIAO Products
These public GAOQIAO catalogue pages are related to this article.
- Traffic signal controllersWired and solar controllers with 6-56 outputs.
- LED signal heads200mm, 300mm, 400mm; confirm model-specific EN12368 evidence.
- Signal polesVertical, signal arm and double-arm configurations.
- Spare partsLED modules, lenses, visors and accessories.
Related Resources
- Traffic Signal Controller Cabinet Guide
- Traffic Light Cost & Price Guide
- LED Traffic Light Buying Guide
- LED Traffic Light Installation Guide
- Contact GAOQIAO
Related guides: solar power
Continue with these related resources for your traffic signal project.