Compare the sticker price and mains lighting wins. Compare what you actually pay over five years and solar usually wins by a wide margin — mostly because trenching and labour cost far more than the fixtures.
Five-year cost: 10 lights on a 100 m road
| Cost item | Mains-powered | Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Fixtures | $700 | $1,300 |
| Trenching & cabling | $2,200 | $0 |
| Electrician labour | $1,100 | $150 (mounting only) |
| Electricity (5 years) | $900 | $0 |
| Maintenance | $400 | $250 (battery at year 4-5) |
| 5-year total | $5,300 | $1,700 |
Figures are illustrative for a typical rural or peri-urban project; your trenching and labour rates will decide the gap.
Where mains still wins
- Very high output sites — stadium lighting and high-mast applications still need grid power.
- Continuous all-night brightness at maximum output in regions with very low winter sun.
- Sites that already have conduit and spare circuits in place — the trenching is already paid for.
Where solar wins outright
- Rural roads, farms, driveways, perimeter fencing — anywhere the grid is far away.
- Temporary sites: construction yards, seasonal parking, events.
- Any project where digging is expensive, impossible or needs permission.
Payback period
Because solar avoids the trenching and the electricity bill entirely, payback on a typical project lands between 12 and 24 months, and the gap widens every year after that.
Frequently asked questions
Are solar lights cheaper than mains lights?
Over five years, usually yes. The fixtures cost more, but you avoid trenching, cabling, electrician labour and the electricity bill entirely.
What is the payback period for solar outdoor lighting?
For most rural and peri-urban projects it is 12 to 24 months, because the installation and running costs of mains lighting are what you are really saving.
When is mains lighting still the better choice?
For very high output applications such as stadium or high-mast lighting, or where conduit and spare circuits already exist on site.
Still not sure? Tell us the area you want to light and we will recommend a model and mounting height — free, usually answered the same day. WhatsApp +86 186 7539 5280 or email fangyuan12530@Hotmail.com.
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Tell us the area you want to light and we will recommend a model and mounting height — free, usually answered the same day.