Solar Street Light 10-Year TCO Planning Framework
This page explains how to prepare a project-specific ten-year total-cost-of-ownership (TCO) comparison for solar street lighting. It is not a price quotation, a measured GAOQIAO project result or a guarantee of savings. Use the actual site, product configuration, local energy price and maintenance plan in the final calculation.
What a 10-year TCO model should include
Use one consistent currency, tax basis, operating period and escalation assumption. The basic calculation is: initial equipment and installation cost + energy or charging cost + scheduled replacement cost + maintenance and service cost + logistics or access cost.
| Cost category | Project inputs to document |
|---|---|
| Initial equipment | Light, pole, battery or storage, controller, mounting hardware and required accessories. |
| Installation | Foundation, trenching or cable work, lifting, labour, permits and commissioning. |
| Energy or charging | Local electricity tariff for mains systems; solar resource and required autonomy for solar systems. |
| Scheduled replacement | Expected replacement interval and cost for components specified in the selected product documentation. |
| Maintenance and service | Inspection frequency, cleaning, fault response, access equipment and spare-parts policy. |
Solar versus mains: questions before comparing
- What is the installation location, shade condition and required daily operating schedule?
- What foundation, trenching, grid connection or civil work is required?
- What battery autonomy and component-replacement plan is specified?
- Which maintenance, access and logistics costs are borne by the owner?
- Which assumptions are fixed by the tender or local authority?
How to use the result
Compare alternatives using the same service level and the same operating period. Keep assumptions visible so that the purchaser can revise the model when site conditions, electricity price, product configuration or maintenance responsibilities change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this page provide a fixed saving or project price?
No. TCO is site- and configuration-specific. A final comparison needs project inputs and a quotation for the selected equipment.
Which replacement intervals should be used?
Use the interval stated in the documentation for the exact selected component and the agreed maintenance plan. Do not use a generic interval as a contract commitment.
What should an RFQ include?
Provide the location, operating schedule, required lighting or traffic application, mounting arrangement, voltage or solar resource information, quantity, destination and requested documentation.