Solar powered growroom lighting

[Trichitect]

I've been pondering this idea a bunch lately. I want to upgrade a few exterior lights around my house and upon researching some options I found that there's a bunch of option for fairly high power solar street lights. They're meant to replace MH, I think. Here's one for instance:


The design of these is nice because the panel can be located remotely, and just run the wire to your growroom. I understand that the 100k lumens, and battery life at full power is most likely overstated, but I'm willing to bet these would be strong enough for a small veg space at the least. The real question is how many of these you would need; number one to get the proper light levels at full power, and then to be able to keep that power up for the full cycle. I could see this taking multiple lights or maybe even needing to add an additional battery or solar panel.
You definitely have to weigh initial cost vs what you'd be saving in electric over time, it seems pretty doable, but I'd love to hear what everyone else thinks as well.

I'm probably going to buy one of these anyways, maybe I'll try to play with it a bit first before I install it.

 

[Rozgreenburn]

My concern is the spectrum. If they are in the proper range, give it a shot!

 

[Trichitect]

I don't think there would be much of an issue with spectrum if they're used for veg, the intensity is more important. I've vegged plants under just a few of the cheap 13w leds. Most of those lights are right around 6500k. I agree that you'd want a wider spectrum for flower though, but they could potentially add some supplemental light in flower.

 

[Hugh Jass]

I was hoping you were writing to say you'd pulled the trigger on one, and it was working great

 

[Rozgreenburn]

I don't think there would be much of an issue with spectrum if they're used for veg, the intensity is more important. I've vegged plants under just a few of the cheap 13w leds. Most of those lights are right around 6500k. I agree that you'd want a wider spectrum for flower though, but they could potentially add some supplemental light in flower.

It's probably worth a try as a what if. I always flash back to a friend who grew with a mercury vapor light, it worked but not very efficient. 50 years ago, most indoor weed was grown under fluorescents', back then I even owned a Phototron {for 1 grow lol}.

 

[Trichitect]

I was hoping you were writing to say you'd pulled the trigger on one, and it was working great

I really need to buy a couple of these for my property. I'm waiting till it warms up a bit outside though. I'll test them out once we start getting some more sun. If they don't work in the Summer, they certainly won't work in Winter.

 

[Rozgreenburn]

I really need to buy a couple of these for my property. I'm waiting till it warms up a bit outside though. I'll test them out once we start getting some more sun. If they don't work in the Summer, they certainly won't work in Winter.

I'm interested in your findings, please let us know when you decide to try it.

 

[Rozgreenburn]

Another point to consider would be, how will you set up a timer? See, now you've got me thinking again!

 

[Trichitect]

Another point to consider would be, how will you set up a timer? See, now you've got me thinking again!

Well you've got me thinking as well. Maybe it would be better to do a DIY setup? I see you can get a solar panel, charge controller & battery for fairly cheap, but then you still need the light itself, which brings up more questions...
It'd be great if some our PHamily electrical pros could chime in with some advice.
@Rozgreenburn , yes the timer is another issue...