The only solution on the market that can be retrofitted onto customers’ existing stock, SRL Solar PLUSTM is the latest addition to the company’s growing solar portfolio.

Designed and manufactured in the UK and available exclusively for hire, SRL Solar PLUSTM significantly extends battery cycles, reducing electricity consumption and the frequency of exchanges required.

Early results from SRL’s alpha tests – which commenced in June and were designed to identify the optimum cell – are already demonstrating the product’s potential to eliminate exchanges for months at a time. The beta trials that have been running on live customer sites since November show that the solution is performing well in even the poorest domestic weather conditions.

SRL’s Solar PLUSTM works with either AGM (absorbed glass mat) or lead acid batteries, though the solution is best suited to products using AGM batteries, as they are designed to discharge and re-charge better than lead acid alternatives.  Traffic lights incorporating the new technology run with three batteries in the base of the box.

SRL Solar PLUSTM signals are available to hire via a range of flexible, added value contracts, enabling customers to access the solution best suited to their business. Traffic management companies who have previously purchased SRL’s Pedestrian, Radiolight and Eurolight signals may hire SRL Solar PLUSTM lids, retrofitting their existing stock and promoting circularity.  Retrofitting is undertaken by an SRL commissioning engineer.

Signals featuring SRL Solar PLUSTM incorporate a telematics device within the boxes.  The unit empowers operations managers to check battery charge levels and system functionality remotely, enabling them to identify exactly when batteries need to be exchanged or serviced;  it also allows them to monitor their assets’ precise locations.

The stable and robust panels have withstood extensive testing well.  Their raised edges minimise the risk of damage during loading and transportation, they can withstand low temperatures, ice and snow, and feature four bullet locks for additional security.  To date there has been no damage nor thefts reported from any of the test sites.

Longer battery cycles, telematics and a sturdy product reduce the frequency of site visits required.  As well as creating savings of both time and money, this enables traffic management companies to cut the amount of carbon emissions and air pollution associated with each project.  It also minimises the length of time which staff are exposed to traffic.

Class One Traffic Management’s contracts director, Wullie Murdoch:  “Class One’s participation in the beta trial clearly demonstrated to us the long-term benefits to be gained by using SRL Solar PLUSTM, with the combination of solar charging and telematics significantly reducing the number of site visits required.

“The telematics device enabled us to monitor the signals remotely and so limit visits to those times when battery changes were actually required, removing the need to travel to the site to confirm that the signals were working.”

Freeflow Traffic Management’s operations director, Stephen McNair commented:  “We trialled the product on sites in a remote, hard-to-reach part of northern Scotland, over a period that included three weeks of particularly adverse winter weather conditions.

“Battery changeovers were minimal and the telematics system enabled us to track voltage remotely, so Freeflow did not have to attend at all during the most challenging time.  Our clients will reap commercial benefits too.”

SRL’s chief executive officer, Adrian Murphy added:  “SRL is committed to ongoing innovation to improve sustainability, with a circular hire model and a product portfolio that already includes solar VMS (variable message signs) and work-zone protection barriers.

“The addition of UK designed, manufactured and domestically tested solar traffic signals to our offer enables us to further support our clients as they work to deliver projects capable of meeting the stringent environmental criteria stipulated by their customers.  It will also help them to make financial savings and to improve health and safety.”