What people need to know in purchasing a Shipping Container lighting Kit?

Sun-In-One Solar

Solar shipping container lighting kits are a convenient and cost-effective way to provide illumination for off-grid applications. These kits include solar panels, batteries, charge controllers, LED lights, wiring, and mounting hardware.

Detailed information on the items included in kits and why their purposes is essential?

• The battery capacity and lifespan of the batteries?

There is a 5 year warranty on AGM batteries and 7 years on Lithium. Keep in mind you need to maintain at least 3 days of storage on your batteries, however 2 days of storage can be kept if you only use the system every few days.

• The power output and efficiency of the solar panels?

21% is best in the market

• The features and functions of the charge controllers?

An MPPT controller saves up to 30 % more energy than that of a PMW controller, while storing the history of the solar and usage production for up to 30 days. This makes for an easier understanding of the system if there is a future issue.

• The brightness and color temperature of the LED lights?

High CRI over 90 and 4000K are best for light quality and lumen output.

• The length and quality of the wiring?

One size does not fit all, Custom is best or standard layout all prewired. The longer the run or higher the amps the larger the wire size needs to be to comply with electrical code.

• The ease and security of the mounting hardware?

2 – 100 pounds of magnetic force on each 10 pound fixture gives you more than enough strength for a ballasted system. The battery box can be mounted in a shipping container by putting two 2X4 from floor to ceiling and mounting the box to them (pole mounted systems should be higher than the shipping container).

• The warranty and customer service of the kit provider?

5 years on Parts and Labor if the system is one year you get what you pay for because if they will not stand behind it for more than a year you have to ask why?

• Shading on the solar panel?

If you have any shading of the solar panel you need to add more solar panels to help cover this limiting of production. The best solar window is from 9am to 4 PM, facing towards the south in the northern hemisphere and north in the southern hemisphere.

• Can you add AC to the kit to charge batteries for cell phone or other electronic devices?

Yes, but that requires a power kit in addition to the lighting kit and is sized based on estimated usage.