Street lamp post, street lighting system and method for operating street lighting system

Abstract

A street lamp post (100) includes a street lamp (104) mounted on a post (102). The street lamp post also includes at least one first solar cell (106) disposed on a first side of the post, at least one second solar cell (108) disposed on a second side of the post, and a control unit (212). The control unit is configured to determine an orientation of the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell relative to a roadway (524) and / or an approaching vehicle (526) based on the light input detected by the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell. The control unit is further configured to control the street lamp based on the light input detected by the first solar cell and / or the second solar cell and the determined orientation of the solar cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of street lighting. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a street light pole and a street lighting system comprising such a pole, wherein the street light pole comprises solar cells arranged at different sides of the pole. Background Art

[0002] Solar powered street lighting is a subject of interest around the world. Solar street lighting systems enable the creation and lighting of new roads in areas without existing electricity infrastructure, which can be important in developing countries as well as in rural areas of developed countries. Furthermore, as a renewable power source, using solar electricity to light streets can contribute to achieving climate goals around the world.

[0003] As can be seen, a typical solar street light may include a conventional street light pole extended with a conventional solar panel that is typically arranged on top of the street light. Such an arrangement may be sensitive to high winds and provide reduced mechanical stability. In addition, as the sun moves across the sky, the arrangement may not be suitable for collecting sunlight throughout the day or year. Conventional solar street lights may also cause visual clutter. Summary of the invention

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages and to provide an improved system and apparatus for street lighting taking advantage of the advantages provided by solar panels.

[0005] This and other objects are achieved by a street lighting pole, a street lighting system and a method for operating a street lighting system as defined in the appended independent claims. Further embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.

[0006] According to a first aspect, a street light pole is provided. The street light pole comprises at least one first solar cell arranged on a first side of the pole and at least one second solar cell arranged on a second side of the pole. The street light pole further comprises a control unit. The control unit is configured to determine an orientation of the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell relative to a road and / or an approaching vehicle based on a light input detected by the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell. The control unit is further configured to control the street light output based on the light input detected by the first solar cell and / or the second solar cell and the determined orientation of the solar cell.

[0007] Arranging the solar cells at the side of the lamp post can improve the sunlight collection during winter when the sun is at a lower elevation angle. Furthermore, when the solar cells are arranged on the side of the lamp post, they can be used to detect other light coming from the side, such as light from approaching vehicles. Thus, the first solar cell and the second solar cell can be suitably arranged to act as a light detector for detecting, for example, the headlights of oncoming traffic participants.

[0008] The control unit of the street light pole according to the first aspect may analyze light input signals from individual solar cells or groups of solar cells (i.e., at least one first solar cell and at least one second solar cell) mounted at the pole (or street light pole) in different orientations. By analyzing, the cells oriented with respect to the road and / or the vehicle may be determined. For example, the control unit may determine which of the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell are oriented towards the headlights of approaching traffic participants. When the orientation of the solar cells (e.g., the first and second solar cells) has been determined, the light input (power signal) of the solar cells may be used to control the street light. For example, the control unit may select a subset of solar cells based on the determined orientation of the solar cells, according to which the light input will control the street light.

[0009] To save energy during quiet times with less traffic (such as in the middle of the night), it may be preferable to activate street lights (lamps / luminaires) as needed (eg, when an approaching vehicle is detected).

[0010] According to some embodiments, the control unit may be further configured to detect a vehicle approaching the lamp post based on light input detected by at least one of the first solar cell and the second solar cell. The control unit may be further configured to control the street light output based on said detection.

[0011] Such an embodiment may provide on-demand lighting without any additional sensors or cameras.For example, the control unit may switch on or increase the light output of a street lamp based on the detection of an approaching vehicle.

[0012] According to some embodiments, the control unit may be further configured to determine the position of an approaching vehicle based on light input detected by at least one of the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell. The control unit may be further configured to adapt the street light output based on the position of the approaching vehicle.

[0013] The control unit may, for example, determine the absolute or relative position of an approaching vehicle. For example, the position of an approaching vehicle may be determined or estimated based on the signal strength of the detected light input. Furthermore, the orientation of the vehicle relative to the lamp post may be determined based on which solar cells are detecting light from the vehicle.

[0014] According to some embodiments, the control unit may be further configured to operate in a calibration mode and an operational mode.

[0015] In the calibration mode, the control unit may be configured to control the light output of the street lamp and monitor the light input detected by the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell. Based on the monitored light input, the control unit may be further configured to determine the orientation of the first solar cell and the second solar cell relative to the street lamp. For example, when controlling the light output of the street lamp, the light input at the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell may be monitored for a short time, such as in the range of seconds or milliseconds.

[0016] In the calibration mode, the control unit may additionally or alternatively be further configured to monitor the light input detected by the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell over a period of time. The period of time may, for example, be in the range of minutes, hours or days. The control unit may be further configured to detect a pattern in the monitored light input corresponding to an approaching vehicle. Based on the detected pattern, the control unit may be configured to determine an orientation of the first solar cell and the second solar cell relative to the approaching vehicle.

[0017] In the operation mode, the control unit may be configured to control the street light based on light input detected by the at least one first solar cell and / or the at least one second solar cell and the determined orientation of the solar cells.

[0018] After the street light pole is installed and started for the first time, the control unit may automatically enter the calibration phase / mode. Alternatively, the calibration phase or mode may be activated by an operator. The calibration mode may preferably be activated at night so that the calibration is not affected by the surrounding daylight.

[0019] In calibration mode, the control unit can determine the orientation of the battery or battery packs relative to the road, street lights and / or approaching vehicles to select the battery best suited for detecting traffic participants. For example, the control unit can determine on which side the street lights are located and which batteries detect the headlight pattern.

[0020] In a calibration mode, the streetlight may be controlled by the control unit. The orientation of the solar cell relative to the streetlight may be determined based on the light input detected by the solar cell when the streetlight is activated. For example, the signals from each solar cell or group of solar cells may be compared at the moment the streetlight is activated to determine which cells are placed to the side of the streetlight luminaire. The control unit may determine the cell that is oriented to the road based on the cell that most significantly detects the output of the activated streetlight.

[0021] In a similar manner, the light pattern of the approaching vehicle headlights may be most prominently detected by a solar cell or solar array oriented towards the approaching vehicle. In a calibration mode, the control unit may determine the cell that is most suitable for detecting an oncoming traffic participant (approaching vehicle) by monitoring the detected light input of the solar cell (or solar array) over a period of time and detecting a pattern (e.g., a headlight pattern) in the detected light input that corresponds to an approaching vehicle.

[0022] After the calibration mode / phase, the street lighting system may switch to an operational traffic participant sensing mode (operational mode). In the operation mode, the control unit may control the street light based on the light input detected by the solar cell or solar cell array (i.e., at least one first solar cell and at least one second solar cell).

[0023] In the traffic participant sensing / operation mode, the streetlight may be activated when approaching vehicle light is detected by the selected / determined road / vehicle oriented battery pack. Optionally, different solar cells / battery packs may be used to detect approaching vehicles on multiple sides. The control unit may activate different light outputs of the streetlight, for example by changing the light output intensity or distribution depending on the position and direction of the approaching vehicle. At the same time, at least some or all of the solar cells may be used to provide power to other devices / units, for example in the streetlight or streetlight pole.

[0024] Alternatively, the operating mode may be activated only at night. For example, the general level of the solar cell signal may be used to determine that it has become dark, which may activate the traffic participant sensing mode.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the control unit may be further configured to detect ambient daylight characteristics based on light input detected by the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell.The control unit may be further configured to control the streetlight based on the ambient daylight characteristics.

[0026] Such an embodiment may allow the streetlights to be turned off when there is sufficient daylight, which in turn may reduce energy consumption.For example, the control unit may activate or deactivate the streetlights based on an average or general light level detected at the solar cell.

[0027] According to some embodiments, the control unit may be further configured to receive information about a current light output of the street light. The control unit may be further configured to compensate for the light input detected by the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell based on the known current light output of the street light and the determined orientation of the solar cell.

[0028] The street light output may affect the light input detected at the first and second solar cells. Thus, the control unit may compensate the detected light input based on the known current light output of the street light itself. The current light output may be known to the control unit. Alternatively, the light output may be measured by the control unit.

[0029] According to some embodiments, the at least one first solar cell may include a plurality of first solar cells arranged in a vertical row. The at least one second solar cell may include a plurality of second solar cells arranged in a vertical row.

[0030] A plurality of first solar cells may be arranged in a first vertical row on a first side of the lamp post. A plurality of second solar cells may be arranged in a second vertical row on a second side of the lamp post. Arranging several solar cells in vertical rows may allow light to be received at different heights of the lamp post.

[0031] To optimize solar energy collection, several vertical rows of cells may be placed in parallel around at least a portion of the lamp post. This may provide a larger solar cell area to potentially collect light in different directions. Further, the vertical rows of cells may allow for detection of changes in light input detected at different rows of cells. Determining changes in light input from different vertical rows of cells or from individual cells or groups of cells positioned at different horizontal positions may help determine the direction from which light is received, such as for determining the location of an approaching vehicle.

[0032] According to some embodiments, the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell may form part of a cylindrical or angular solar cell array wrapped around at least a portion of the lamp post.

[0033] For example, an angular solar cell array may have a hexagonal, octagonal, decagonal, or similar cross-section. A cylindrical or angular solar cell array wrapped around at least a portion of a lamp post may not require any orientation of the solar panels toward a typical sun position, which may simplify installation. In addition, arranging the solar cells to wrap around at least a portion of a lamp post may improve sunlight collection as the sun moves across the sky (especially in the winter when the sun is at a lower elevation angle, or during cloudy conditions when the solar cells can capture diffuse light from several different directions).

[0034] The solar cell may be mounted on or integrated with a (eg cylindrical) street light pole, for example. Solar cells arranged near or integrated in a lamp post may provide less visual clutter and thus minimize driver distraction.

[0035] According to some embodiments, the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell may form part of a flexible solar cell foil.

[0036] Thin film flexible solar cells can be strong and compact. They can also be easily integrated into lamp posts. The flexible solar cell foil can be at least partially wrapped around the lamp post.

[0037] According to some embodiments, the street light pole may further include a battery. The battery may be configured to be charged by the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell. The battery may be configured to provide power to the street light.

[0038] The solar cells (ie, at least one first solar cell and at least one second solar cell) can serve the dual purpose of charging the battery of the street light pole when there is enough ambient daylight and act as a light sensor.

[0039] According to some embodiments, the street light pole may further comprise a communication module.The control unit may be further configured to transmit information about the light input received from the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell to another street light pole using the communication module.

[0040] For example, the control unit may send information about approaching vehicles or detected ambient daylight. Furthermore, the control unit may transmit information about the current light output of a street light to another street light pole. The communication module may, for example, use modulated visible light communication or radio frequency (RF) communication.

[0041] According to some embodiments, the control unit may be further configured to receive information from another street light pole via the communication module and to control the street light based on the received information.

[0042] Communication between lamp posts (light poles) can improve overall performance by activating street lights on time based on approaching vehicles detected by different lamp posts, or by determining the direction and speed of a vehicle based on, for example, the time at which the vehicle was detected at different lamp posts.

[0043] For example, if the control unit can receive information related to an approaching vehicle, the control unit can control the light output of the street light based on this information. For example, the control unit can activate the street light based on the received information, or increase the light output of the street light.

[0044] Additionally, information received from other street light poles can be used for fault detection. For example, if information is received from another street light pole indicating that there is sufficient daylight around, while the light input to the solar cell of the present street light pole indicates that it is dark, this may suggest that there is a fault somewhere in the system, suggesting that there is dirt on the solar cell, etc.

[0045] According to a second aspect, a street lighting system is provided. The street lighting system comprises at least two street lamp poles according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, each street lamp pole comprising a communication module. The at least two street lamp poles are configured to communicate with each other using the communication module.

[0046] The streetlight poles of the system can communicate to provide a better experience for the driver, for example, by adapting the output light to the presence or location of the vehicle. For example, information about the vehicle can be transmitted to a streetlight pole farther ahead, which can adjust the light output of the streetlight pole in time before the vehicle arrives.

[0047] According to some embodiments, a control unit in a first street light pole of the system (i.e., a first control unit) may be configured to detect a vehicle approaching the first street light pole based on light input detected by at least one first solar cell and / or at least one second solar cell of the first street light pole. The first control unit may be further configured to control a street light of the first street light pole based on the detection of the vehicle. The first control unit may be further configured to communicate information related to the detection of the vehicle to a second street light pole of the system using a communication module of the first street light pole. The control unit of the second street light pole (i.e., a second control unit) may be configured to receive information related to the detection of the vehicle from the first street light pole using the communication module of the second street light pole. The second control unit may be further configured to control the street light of the second street light pole based on the received information.

[0048] In such an embodiment, a plurality of street lamps in front of a street lamp detecting a vehicle may be activated before the light of the vehicle's headlights reaches their lamp posts. The light output of the street lamps may be adapted based on the distance between the lamp post and the oncoming vehicle.

[0049] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a method for operating a street lighting system according to the second aspect of the present disclosure is provided. The method includes performing a calibration phase, which includes controlling the light output of each street light pole in the system. The calibration phase further includes monitoring the light input detected by the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell of each street light pole during the control of the light output of each of the street light poles. The calibration phase also includes: determining the orientation and / or position of each street light pole relative to other street light poles of the street lighting system based on the monitored light input. The method also includes operating the street lights of the street lighting system based on the light input detected by the solar cells of the street light poles and the determined orientation and / or position of each street light pole.

[0050] As for the single street light pole described above with reference to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the calibration phase may be initiated automatically upon installation and initial start-up of the street lighting system. Alternatively, the calibration phase may be initiated by a local or remote operator.

[0051] When operating a street light pole, the control unit of the pole can recognize the light emitted by other street lights in the same street lighting system due to a calibration phase.

[0052] In order to improve the readability of the present disclosure, similar or equivalent features between the first, second and third aspects of the present disclosure may be repeated only for one or two of these aspects. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the advantages or further details provided for the features of one of these aspects may be applicable to similar / equivalent features of other aspects.

[0053] It should be noted that other embodiments can be conceived with all possible combinations of features stated in the above embodiments. Therefore, the present disclosure also relates to all possible combinations of features mentioned herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in more detail with reference to the following drawings:

[0055] Figure 1 is an illustration of a street light pole according to some embodiments;

[0056] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of a street light pole according to some embodiments;

[0057] Figure 3 is an illustration of an angular solar panel that may be used in a street light pole according to some embodiments;

[0058] Figure 4 is an illustration of a cylindrical solar panel that may be used on a street light pole according to some embodiments; and

[0059] Figure 5 is an illustration of a street lighting system according to some embodiments.

[0060] As shown in the figures, the sizes of elements and regions may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes and, therefore, are provided to illustrate the overall structure of the embodiments. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments are shown. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; on the contrary, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and to fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person.

[0062] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , a street light pole 100 according to some embodiments will be described.

[0063] Figure 1 A street light pole 100 is schematically shown. The street light pole 100 comprises a street light 104 mounted on a pole 102. The street light pole 100 further comprises a plurality of first solar cells 106 arranged in a first vertical array on a first side of the pole 102. A second vertical array of second solar cells 108 is arranged on a second side of the pole 102. The street light pole 100 further comprises an array of additional solar cells in the form of an additional solar panel 110 arranged on top of the street light 104. The vertical arrangement of the first solar cell 106 and the second solar cell 108 allows them to collect light from one side of the pole 102. Thus, the first solar cell 106 and the second solar cell 108 can capture light, for example, from the rising or setting sun or from approaching vehicles. Thus, the first and second solar cells 106, 108 can act as light detectors. The additional solar panel 110 is arranged on top of the street light 104, so it is suitable for collecting light from above the street light pole 100. The additional solar panel 110 may therefore be used primarily to provide power to the street lamp 104 and other devices within the street lamp pole 100 .

[0064] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a street light pole 200. It should be noted that Figure 2 Including Figure 1 Features, elements and / or functions shown and described in the associated text. Features are identified by reference numerals consisting of the figure number of the drawing to which it relates followed by the number of the feature, which is equivalent for all exemplary embodiments, for example, common feature "10" in Figure 1 In the figure, it is represented by "110", while the corresponding feature is Figure 2 Therefore, in order to improve understanding, also refer to Figure 1 and its related description.

[0065] In addition to the above, see Figure 1In addition to the described streetlight 204, at least one first solar cell 206, at least one second solar cell 208, and additional solar panel 210, the streetlight 204 also includes a control unit 212. The control unit 212 is connected to the first and second solar cells 206, 208, the streetlight 204, and the additional solar panel 210. The control unit is also connected to a battery 214 and a communication module 216.

[0066] At least one first solar cell 206 and a second solar cell 208 are arranged to provide a signal corresponding to the light input detected at the solar cells 206, 208 to the control unit 212. The first solar cell 206 and the second solar cell 208 may be further arranged to provide power for charging the battery 214, and / or directly provide power to the street light 204, the control unit 212 and / or the communication module 216 (although in Figure 2 Such direct connection is not shown).

[0067] The solar panel 210 may also provide a signal to the control unit 212 corresponding to the light input detected at the solar panel 210. The solar panel 210 may provide power for charging the battery 214 and / or directly provide power to the street light 204, the control unit 212, and / or the communication module 216 (although in Figure 2 Such direct connection is not shown).

[0068] The battery 214 may be configured to provide power to the street light 204. The battery 214 may also provide power to the communication module 216 and / or the control unit 212.

[0069] The control unit 212 is configured to receive (a signal corresponding to) light input detected by the first solar cell 206 and the second solar cell 208, and determine an orientation of the first solar cell 206 and the second solar cell 208 relative to a road and / or an approaching vehicle based on the received light input.

[0070] For example, in Figure 1, the first solar cell 106 is arranged on the same side as the street light 104, while the second solar cell 108 is arranged on the opposite side of the lamp post 102. The first solar cell 106 can therefore detect more light emitted by the street light 104 than the second solar cell 108. Typically, the street light post 100 is arranged so that the street light 104 faces the road. The control unit 212 can therefore determine that the first solar cell 106 is arranged to face the road, while the second solar cell 108 does not face the road based on a signal related to the light input received from the first solar cell 106 being higher than the light input received from the second solar cell 108 / 208. The control unit 212 can therefore select the first solar cell array 106 as being more suitable for detecting an approaching vehicle than the second solar cell array 108.

[0071] The control unit 212 is further configured to control the street light 204. Specifically, the control unit 212 may be configured to control the output light of the street light 204, such as controlling the intensity or distribution of the output light. Further, the control unit 212 may control the street light 204 based on the light input detected by the first solar cell 206 and / or the second solar cell 208 and the determined orientation of the solar cells. For example, in Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the control unit 212 may detect oncoming vehicles primarily based on input light detected by the array of first solar cells 106 facing the road.

[0072] The control unit 212 may also be configured to communicate with other street light poles via the communication module 216. Specifically, the control unit 212 may send signals / information to other street light poles and / or receive signals / information from other street light poles. Such communication may occur, for example, in a street lighting system, as will be described below with reference to Figure 5 The street lighting system is described in more detail.

[0073] Although the street light pole of the present disclosure may be implemented using a single first solar cell and a single second solar cell arranged on different sides of the pole, the first and second solar cells may form part of a larger array. Figure 3 and 4 , an example of a solar cell array that can be used in a street light pole of the present disclosure will be described.

[0074] Figure 3302. The angular solar array 318 has a generally hexagonal cross-section. The angular solar array 318 includes a plurality of vertical arrays / rows of solar cells arranged in parallel. At least one first solar cell 306 forms a portion of one of the vertical arrays / rows on one side of the lamp post 302. At least one second solar cell forms a portion of another vertical array / row on a second side of the lamp post 302. The angular solar array 318 wraps around the lamp post 302 so that light can be collected or detected around the entire perimeter of the lamp post 302.

[0075] Figure 4 4 is an illustration of a cylindrical solar array 420 arranged on a lamp post 402. The cylindrical solar array 420 also includes a plurality of vertical solar cell arrays wrapped around the lamp post 402. One of the vertical arrays includes at least one first solar cell 406 and the other vertical array includes at least one second solar cell 408.

[0076] See also Figure 5 , a street lighting system 522 according to some embodiments will be described.

[0077] The street lighting system 522 includes a plurality of street light poles 500a-c, Figure 5 Three of the street lamp posts are shown in FIG. 500a-c. The street lamp posts 500a-c are equivalent to those described above with reference to FIG. Figure 1 and 2 The street lamp posts 100, 200 are described below. Figure 1 and 2 For a clearer image, the street light poles 500a-c are all shown arranged on the same side of the road 524. However, it should be understood that a similar street light system 522 may include street light poles arranged along both sides of the road 524.

[0078] The street light poles 500a-c each include a communication module 216 (as described above with reference to Figure 2 The control unit 212 of each street light pole 500a-c is configured to adapt the light output of its associated street light 104 based on the light input detected from its solar cells 106, 108 and based on communications (information / signals) received from other street light poles 500a-c.

[0079] During the calibration phase, the street lighting system 522 may be calibrated to, for example, determine the relative positions and orientations of the system's street light poles 500a - c , to detect vehicles 526 traveling along the road 524 , and to compensate for light originating from the street lighting system 522 itself.

[0080] During the calibration phase, the light output of each street light 104 of the street lighting system 522 may be controlled. For example, one street light 104 may be turned on and off at a time. The light input detected by the solar cells 106, 108 of each street light pole 500a-c may be monitored during control of the street light 104 so that each control unit 212 may identify the light input originating from its own street light 104 and from the other street light poles 500a-c. Further, each of the control units 212 may determine the orientation of its solar cells relative to its own street light 104 and the other street light poles 500a-c.

[0081] Further, during the calibration phase, the light input of the solar cells 106, 108 of each street light pole 500a-c may be monitored over a period of time. During this period of time, one or more vehicles 526 (with their headlights 528 turned on) may travel along the road 524. The headlights 528 may illuminate the solar cells 106, 108 of the street light poles 500a-c in different patterns. During this period of time, the control unit 212 may be calibrated to recognize such patterns in the light input detected at the solar cells 106, 108.

[0082] In the operation phase, the streetlights 104 of the system 522 may be operated based on the light input detected by the solar cells 106, 108 of the streetlight poles 500a-c and the determined orientation and / or position of each streetlight pole 500a-c. When the vehicle 526 travels along the road 524, its headlights 528 may first illuminate the first streetlight pole 500a. When the first streetlight pole 500a detects the illumination from the headlights 528, it may increase the light output of its streetlight 104. The first streetlight pole 500a may further communicate with other streetlight poles 500b-c further down the road 524 that the vehicle 526 is approaching. Other streetlight poles 500b-c may then increase the light output of their streetlights 104 before the vehicle 526 arrives. The intensity and / or distribution of the light output of the streetlight poles 500a-c may be based on the distance from the streetlight poles 500a-c to the vehicle 526.

[0083] The position of the vehicle 526 relative to the street light poles 500a - c of the system 522 may be determined based on which solar cells 106 , 108 are illuminated by the headlights 528 and based on how the light intensity varies between the solar cells 106 , 108 .

[0084] Those skilled in the art realize that the present invention is by no means limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

[0085] Although features and elements are described above in particular combinations, each feature or element may be used alone without the other features and elements, or in various combinations with or without the other features and elements.

[0086] Furthermore, variations to the disclosed embodiments may be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, by studying the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain features are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these features cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

1. A street lamp post (100), comprising: A street lamp (104) mounted on a lamp post (102); at least one first solar cell (106) arranged on a first side of the lamp post; at least one second solar cell (108) arranged on a second side of the lamp post; as well as A control unit (212) configured to: determining an orientation of the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell relative to a road (524) and / or an approaching vehicle (526) based on light input detected by the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell; as well as The street light output is controlled based on the light input detected by the first solar cell and / or the second solar cell and the determined orientation of the solar cells.

2. A street light pole according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The control unit is further configured to: detecting a vehicle approaching the lamp post based on the light input detected by at least one of the first solar cell and the second solar cell; as well as The streetlight output is controlled based on the detection.

3. The street lamp post according to claim 2, wherein: The control unit is further configured to: determining a position of the approaching vehicle based on light input detected by at least one of the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell; as well as The streetlight output is adapted based on the location of the approaching vehicle.

4. A street light pole according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The control unit is configured to operate in a calibration mode and in an operational mode; in In the calibration mode, the control unit is configured to: controlling a light output of the streetlight, monitoring a light input detected by the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell, and determining an orientation of the first solar cell and the second solar cell relative to the streetlight based on the monitored light input; and / or monitoring light input detected by the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell over a period of time, detecting a pattern of the monitored light input corresponding to an approaching vehicle, and determining an orientation of the first solar cell and the second solar cell relative to the approaching vehicle; as well as In the operation mode, the control unit is configured to control the street light based on light input detected by the at least one first solar cell and / or the at least one second solar cell and the determined orientation of the solar cells.

5. A street light pole according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The control unit is further configured to: detecting ambient sunlight characteristics based on the light input detected by the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell; and The street light is controlled based on the ambient daylight characteristics.

6. A street light pole according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The control unit is further configured to: receiving information related to a current light output of the street light; as well as The light input detected by the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell is compensated based on a known current light output of the street light and the determined orientation of the solar cells.

7. The street light pole according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first solar cell comprises a plurality of first solar cells arranged in a vertical row, and wherein the at least one second solar cell comprises a plurality of second solar cells arranged in a vertical row.

8. A street light pole according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell form part of a cylindrical (420) or angular (318) solar cell array wrapped around at least a portion of the lamp post.

9. A street light pole according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell form part of a flexible solar cell foil.

10. The street light pole according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a battery (214) configured to be charged by the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell and configured to provide power to the street light.

11. A street light pole according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a communication module (216), wherein: The control unit is further configured to transmit information related to light input received from the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell to another street light pole using the communication module.

12. The street light pole according to claim 11, wherein: The control unit is further configured to receive information from another street light pole via the communication module and to control the street light based on the received information.

13. A street lighting system comprising at least two street lamp poles (500a, 500b) according to any one of claims 11 or 12, wherein: The at least two street light poles are configured to communicate with each other using the communication module.

14. The street lighting system according to claim 13, wherein: The control unit in the first street light pole of the system is configured to: detecting a vehicle approaching the first street light pole based on light input detected by the at least one first solar cell and / or the at least one second solar cell of the first street light pole; controlling a street light of the first street light pole based on the detection of the vehicle; as well as using the communication module to communicate information related to the detection of the vehicle to a second street light pole of the system; and wherein: The control unit of the second street light pole is configured as follows: receiving, using the communication module, the information related to the detection of the vehicle from the first street light pole; as well as The street light of the second street light pole is controlled based on the received information.

15. A method for operating a street lighting system according to any one of claims 13 or 14, the method comprising: A calibration phase is performed, the calibration phase comprising: controlling the light output of each street light pole in the system; During said controlling the light output of each street light pole, monitoring the light input detected by the at least one first solar cell and the at least one second solar cell of each street light pole; and determining the orientation and / or position of each street light pole relative to other street light poles of the street lighting system based on the monitored light input; and The streetlights of the street lighting system are operated based on light input detected by the solar cells of the streetlight poles and the determined orientation and / or position of each streetlight pole.

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