GREEN COLUMN
WIND AND SOLAR POWERED STREET LIGHTING

Solar mounting kits offer easy installation of framed solar module arrays. The kits are versatile allowing for either surface or pole mounting. The panels are mounted horizontally, and allow for tilt angle adjustment.

The Green Column designed and manufactured by Marlec is an environmentally friendly, cost saving solution to providing amenity lighting at remote sites. Locations previously considered too far from the grid but require lighting can now be considered for a Green Column. The wind and solar powered solution delivers free, renewable energy which is stored in a battery ready to be consumed when darkness falls. Green Columns are already in use all over the UK on footpaths, playgrounds and car parks.

According to Highway Electrical UK   "In the last 3 years electricity prices have increased by 100%.  The impact of these increases has been significant and in particular on local authorities who have been struggling to meet these increases.  The industry is now focussing on various measures which will reduce energy consumption and the consequential impact on budgets and carbon dioxide emissions"  Green Columns will reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

It’s cost effective

When you install a Green Column there’s no need to dig trenches for underground cables as it is totally independent of the grid. By generating its own power from the wind and sun there will be no grid connection charges, no on-going energy charges or standing charges Installation is quick, typically less than a day per column, and can easily be done by your own contractor.

Environmentally friendly - it doesn't burn any greenhouse gas as it simply converts the natural energy of the wind into electricity!
Completely independent - it doesn't need any grid connection so there's no need to dig up roads!
Cost effective - quickly installed and there's no on-going power costs!

The Green Column is ideal for rural locations or those where mains power is expensive or prohibitive to install such as:

Discreet lighting
in conservation areas

Countryside roads
Play areas 

Footpaths in parks,
car parks

Bus shelters 
Industrial buildings & Airfields
Harbourside lighting 

Business Park
Lighting

Remote homes
Developing countries

The system can even be adapted for other applications such as roadside illumination, shore based navigation systems and many other novel uses.

Green column consists of a 6 metre column with a lamp positioned at 5 metres and includes the solar panel, wind charger, maintenance free battery and charger, controller and wiring harness. Depending on the location a choice of wind chargers are available. Included is an Automatic night time switch-on facility with a fully programmable timer unit. An optional infra-red detector is also available.

Green Columns are adaptable to other applications such as shore-based navigation lighting, road sign illumination, CCTV cameras and others.

SPECIFICATIONS
Each system is individually tested and incorporates the following components and features:

Rutland 913 Windcharger - the world renowned quiet, compact and efficient windcharger of less than 1m in diameter. Charging starts at just 2.5m/s (5mph) so a gentle breeze is all that is required to deliver power.

Solar Panels - Each system is supplied with a 30W peak power rated BP Solar photovoltaic panel as standard and other sizes are available to order. The solar panel complements the windcharger delivering power throughout the summer and into icy cold winter days.

Energy Efficient Lantern - The lantern is automatically switched on at dusk via the built-in sensor just like a standard street light. An 18W triple biax fluorescent tube is driven by Marlec’s purpose designed inverter to deliver a light level of 1200 lumens.
A high efficiency reflector adds to the illumination experienced on the ground and the whole lantern is in a waterproof housing.

Battery - A high quality sealed battery is used to deliver power over a long life. The maintenance free battery provides energy storage for back up power for periods of low wind & solar power. The reserve is determined by usage but typically 4/5 days in wintertime and up to 10 days in summertime.

Controller - The controller interconnects all the components of the system and features voltage regulation to prevent over charge and deep discharge protection for the battery. A built-in LCD time switch allows the user to manage the hours of illumination thereby minimising power consumption and conserving power.
A wind and solar power shutdown switch is included along with LED system status indicators.

Raise and Lower Type Column 

The purpose designed 8m column raises and lowers for ease of installation and inspection.  A counterbalance unit is available to hire to undertake this operation.

The tower is manufactured to BS5649 and is finished galvanied to ISO1461.  Paint finishes are available to order, please ask for a quotation. For full details on how to raise and lower the columns you can download the operating instructions here

Example of counterbalance
lowering the column

Example of Column
fully lowered

Control Gear Housing - Finished to the same standards as the column this houses the battery and controller conveniently at ground level and the door secures with security keys provided.

Optional Features to Order:

• Green Columns are supplied galvanised as standard. RAL colours are available at cost.
• Taller columns are available to order for installation at sites where extra height is required to overcome turbulence to the turbine or shading to the solar panel.
• A furling model windcharger is available in place of the Rutland 913 for installations at very exposed locations.
• A vandalism proof Solar Panel is available at cost.
• owing to continuous product improvements specifications may be subject to change without notice

Summary

• Independent outdoor lighting system
• Ideal for foot/cycle paths, car parks, countryside roads, etc.
• Low cost alternative to mains installation & operation.
• System includes column, Wind charger, lamp assembly, maintenance-free gel battery, controller & wiring harness.
• Select Rutland 913 or FM910-3 depending on site location.
• Automatic night time switch-on.
• Fitted with fully programmable timer unit.
• Systems available with or without Passive Infra-red Detector.
• Simple installation with "plug and play" electrical connections.