Dependable solar lights up outdoor desert parking lot for a decade

Nearly a decade ago, the United Methodist Church in Palm Springs, California, needed a durable and dependable lighting solution to illuminate their main parking lot at night. Fourteen Leadsun solar powered parking lot lights were installed. Almost a decade later, the same lights still shine on, enduring the Sonoran Desert’s extreme heat and delivering dependable illumination, year in and year out.

Apr 22, 2024

In religion, “light” symbolizes God’s presence, truth, guidance, and divine knowledge. For parishioners at one Methodist Church in Palm Springs, it also took on another meaning, representing safety and a better way of getting to and from the parking lot at night!

The Palm Springs United Methodist Church is a vibrant community hub, offering worship services, classes and gatherings at night. The main parking area which is located next to a vacant lot was unlit and unwelcoming at night with low visibility for both drivers and pedestrians.

The church needed a lighting solution that could deliver bright, dependable illumination at night and withstand the Sonoran Desert’s extreme heat during the day, with temperatures often exceeding 110° in summer.

Extreme desert climate puts solar lights to the ultimate outdoor stress test

The Sonoran Desert is a harsh place for sensitive electronics. Although solar panels are designed for sun exposure, excessive heat actually reduces their efficiency. High ambient temperatures can degrade components over time, particularly batteries, which are sensitive to heat and can lose capacity or fail prematurely. Other sensitive electronics like charge controllers, PIR sensors, and LED drivers can malfunction and degrade faster under thermal stress.

But it’s not just the desert heat that can cause problems. Constant and intense UV light from the sun leads to the rapid deterioration of plastics, cables, enclosures, and coatings. And dramatic temperature swings between day and night, sometimes exceeding 100°F, cause materials to rapidly expand and contract which can loosen fasteners and seals, crack solder joints and weaken electrical connections over time.

If that wasn’t enough, wind-blown sand and dust particles can accumulate on solar panels, blocking sunlight and reducing energy output. Sand can also scratch smooth surfaces over time and infiltrate seals, affecting optical clarity and causing mechanical and electrical issuDependable Solar Lights for Outdoor Desert Nights

To survive such an inhospitable environment, The Palm Springs United Methodist Church needed a tough, dependable lighting system. They turned to Leadsun, a company with a proven track record in some of the hottest places on earth, including the harsh Australian outback.

Electrical contractors, CED Palm Desert installed fourteen Leadsun AE3 solar lights for outdoors, each equipped with an 80 watt solar panel and 30 watt LED luminaire.

To maximize energy efficiency and activate the area at night, each light was programmed to operate ‘passively’ at 30% brightness, increasing to 100% power when motion is detected.

No trenching or cabling was required, so the lights could be installed in a day with minimal disruption. “This solar light outdoor solution ticked every box — cost-effective, durable, and incredibly easy to install,” said Jose Lirio, Leadsun’s Regional Sales Development Manager. “And best of all, it’s been running flawlessly for over 10 years.”

A Decade of Trouble Free Light

Almost ten years on, the same Leadsun solar lights are still shining bright — a testament to their durability and dependability in one of the world’s toughest climates.

“These lights have held up for almost a decade — we could not be more happy,” said Pastor Jane Voigts.

The lights have improved safety and visibility for the church congregation and created a more welcoming space for visitors.

Anita Carter, The United Methodist Church Office & Campus Coordinator said, “Leadsun’s lights have been fully operational for 10 years with no need for upgrades or repairs. We remain very pleased with the project.”