What makes solar outdoor signage the right choice for your business?
Outdoor signage is any signage that is installed outside your organisation or in another location that targets your audience. This could be stand-alone, placed on a billboard, hoardings as part of an advert, marketing campaign, or used at an event promotion activity.
There are multiple types of marketing activities that businesses and brands can invest in, one of which is using solar outdoor signage.
Solar outdoor signage are one of the most versatile and best options for your businesses.
There are many different styles of signage powered by solar power, which can be customised in terms of size to operate all types of projects. The illumination of these signage can be ensured at night and will provide optimum visibility to passers-by.
Benefits of installing signage powered by solar power
Solar signage lighting has a range of benefits. This includes supporting your advertising strategy and directing customers to your store, among other benefits. Let’s look at some of the advantages of putting up outdoor signage for your business.
- Outdoor signs stating ‘Enter’, ‘Exit’, ‘Shipping’, ‘Visitors’, and more that can help people and work personnel navigate their way to your business.
- Outdoor signage boards offer a way to change the insert panel for advertising at a low cost. This is when you wish to communicate a different message to your target audience. For example, a mall may replace the insert panel to communicate with a new shop on the third floor.
- Solar signs can be moved to other locations easily. They’re not a fixed and done type of design. Outdoor signage boards can be easily removed and placed strategically depending on the type of message you want to convey, and also on your marketing strategy.
- You can Illuminate your brand 24/7 as it even works during a power outage and when there is no access to the main electrical grid.
- No electrical permits required while installing these signage.
- No trenching required, plus they are safe and convenient to install.
Types of solar sign lighting systems
Solar sign lighting systems can adapt to a range of applications. From large billboards to small marker signs, from flood illuminated to internally illuminated, almost every sign can be lit up by solar.
Here are some ways where solar power can be used to quickly and easily adapt.
- Small floodlights
Small signs can use small spotlights, usually around 10 watts or less per fixture. These signs are typically around 5’ square. They can be designed single or double-sided, with one small spotlight on each side of the signboard. These are lower powered and very cost-effective since they don’t require much for solar or battery due to the low wattage fixtures.
- Medium or Large floodlights
They provide a bit more lighting, these fixtures start at 10 watts. Some go high to 25 to 30 watts covering 10’ square area. The battery and solar panel can be set up extensively. However, they are still affordable, especially for projects where the grid power supply is not favourably distanced from the sign.
- Billboard floodlights
Billboards require one floodlight at every 8’-10’ of the board to light up the sign structure evenly. Double- and single-sided billboards are easily powered by solar. These larger-scale systems can be customised as per the design required, to make the system fit within the project’s budget.
Designing the solar lighting system
There’s a great deal of expertise that goes into designing a reliable system of solar lighting. However, we can sum it up for you in five easy steps to get an idea of the factors you must consider while installing outdoor solar signage.
These five steps will ensure you have solar outdoor signage that will last long and ensure your business the visibility and brand awareness it deserves.
Step 1 - Find out if electricity is available in that area. If not then find out the cost of bringing electricity to that site.Step 2 - Determine the size of the sign according to the space, whether you require single- or double-sided signage.
Step 3 - Determine the lighting requirements, such as requiring between 15 – 25 Watts per 10 x 10 area depending on the surrounding ambient light, and whether illumination is required from dusk to dawn or not, among other varying factors.
Step 4 - Finalize the alternatives and types based on the shapes, sizes, and budget. These ranges can cost you from a few hundred to thousand dollars depending on the solution you are planning to adopt. For instance, choose a low-cost solar plan if you wish to make a temporary installation.
Step 5 - Get lots of quotes like light output, system components, warranty, life expectancy, etc., to help you determine what you are paying for and spending.
Who uses outdoor solar signage?
Outdoor signs are used to provide information to people traveling by and in an area, either to show the city entrances, a business location, or the location of a community. That said, not every sign is located where power is available at a convenient spot, which is where solar units come in handy.
Cities and municipalities: Cities and municipalities typically have entryway signs indicating when you enter the area, making it easier for people to understand directions.
Businesses and education institutes: Businesses have signs that are used to show where their main entrance is or instructional signs to indicate where to move about, make deliveries, etc.
As evident, solar outdoor signage are suitable for many pertinent applications and installations. Working with a professional solar manufacturer will ensure that the systems are sized accurately to last for a long period of time. Hence, the versatility of solar power can meet any need with cost-effective solutions for any outdoor sign application.
If you’re interested in making the switch to solar powered signs or learning more about solar outdoor signage, then talk to our experts at Beyond Solar today.
