Bright ideas: 4 myths about solar lighting

The global solar lighting experts at Sol by Sunna Design have heard every excuse in the book for why their approach won’t work—solar lighting is expensive, it won’t work in cold climates, someone had a bad experience with another provider, the list goes on.

As they launch the EverGen 3 outdoor solar lighting system, the culmination of decades of research and experience, and expand into the Canadian market, their team is working to dispel long-held myths about the solar lighting industry. 

Solar lighting is great, but won’t work here

Solar projects are a no-brainer when it comes to the Golden State of California, the sun-soaked deserts of Saudi Arabia, or the cloudless skies of Australia. But do they work in the moody skies of the Pacific Northwest or during the frigid winters of the East Coast? 

“Every customer thinks they live in a special environment and it won’t work,” said Martin Saunier-Plumaz, Sol’s National Director, explaining that, unfortunately, cheap, poorly designed off-the-shelf products have reinforced this myth. “Commercial solar lights like ours are different.”

Sol’s team customizes solutions to fit a customer’s specific environment and needs by investigating decades of weather data. In Canada, where some locations see as little as 3 hours of sunshine in winter, panel size is critical. Many smaller or less efficient solar panels won’t be able to collect enough energy. Battery capacity also needs to take these realities into consideration–plus, some technologies won’t charge below 0 degrees.

“Solar will work provided you can put the right technology in place with the right size,” he said.

Solar light providers are the same

Sol has never been content doing things the same way as everyone else. With 35 years of experience, they have spent decades refining, innovating and pushing the technology forward in North America. 

“We were here before LEDs were even invented,” he said. “We have seen it all. We’ve had failures. We’ve learned from those failures. Now we know what works. We don’t have a one-size-fits-all approach. Sizing the proper solar light product is a science.” 

All these decades of global experience have led to the EverGen 3. It features high-density lithium batteries and advanced solar panels using N-Type TOPCon technology cells with greater energy collection capacity, enabling a more compact, efficient, and environmentally friendly design. 

By partnering with leading lighting fixture manufacturers like Acuity, Sol ensures the EverGen 3 delivers lighting performance on par with the best grid-tied systems, prioritizing quality and reliability so users experience seamless, maintenance-free illumination regardless of their power source. The EverGen 3 is positioned as the ultimate solar light, combining cutting-edge solar technology with top-tier lighting to meet the needs of modern outdoor and off-grid environments.

Solar lighting is not reliable

Starting out in Pompano Beach, FL, Sol had a vision to provide industrial-grade solar lighting. Early installs included many federal and military sites, but eventually, their approach spread around the globe. 

“To meet the needs of these clients, the product had to be tough enough for industrial applications, simple enough that it requires minimal maintenance and high-quality enough so it can last a long time,” he said. “That experience means we can build products that are going to work in every single environment.”

The new Evergen also has hybrid technology, giving users an extra layer of reliability. In the rare event that there isn’t enough solar power in the battery at the beginning of the night, the Evergen can switch to the grid. This guarantees light for high-risk applications and risk-averse clients. And if there’s ever an issue, you’re covered by a 10-year full-system warranty. 

“That’s longer than any lighting fixture, so you will have to replace the fixture long before the solar panel,” he said. “And if an experienced team like Sol selects and sizes the proper battery, it will last 10-15 years without needing replacement.”

Solar lighting is too expensive

Speaking of cost, how hard is solar lighting going to hit your wallet? The technology is constantly improving, costs are coming down, and governments are eager to incentivize green solutions. 

Sol has adopted high-efficiency solar panels and high-density batteries, which store more energy in a smaller space and reduce the amount of metal needed. These innovations, along with improved system design, have lowered product costs by 40–60% compared to earlier EverGen while increasing reliability and performance.

In remote or underserved locations where electrical infrastructure is lacking, outdated, or non-existent, the cost of digging trenches, laying conduits, and connecting to the grid can be so high that solar lighting is often cheaper than grid-tied alternatives. 

The Canadian government is also eager to switch industries to cleaner energy. Businesses can benefit from a refundable tax credit covering up to 30% of capital investment costs in clean technologies, including solar energy systems. Additionally, businesses can write off up to 100% of qualifying clean energy investments. Finally, it’s worth mentioning that once a solar solution is set up, the sunshine that gives it power is totally free. 

“I see the EverGen as the ultimate solar light,” said Saunier-Plumaz. “It’s everything a solar light should be.” He also believes it’s perfect for Canada, where many communities are remote or are trying to move away from fossil fuels. And many larger cities are eager to be more green as well. “I feel like Canadians are pretty open to new ideas,” he said. “They’re pretty progressive, so I think it’s a great fit.”

Learn more about Sol and their EverGen system at their website: evergen.solarlighting.com