The 360 Solar Area Light collection by Landscape Forms, developed in partnership with FlexSol Lighting Solutions, represents the integration of aestetic design and off-grid solar lighting. The solar luminaires are visually distinctive, highly efficient, and resilient across varied environments and climates.
Design and Technology
360 Solar features a unique, slim cylindrical profile created by a vertical wrap-around solar array fused to a tempered glass sleeve on the carrier pole. This advanced design enables sunlight to be captured from all directions, maximizing energy conversion even during low-light, low-angle, and overcast conditions. The vertical configuration improves resilience by minimizing exposure to wind, hail, snow, dust, and debris, outperforming traditional flat-panel solar arrays. With modular panel stacks, the system can scale to meet the power requirements of high-wattage luminaires (up to 60W), ancillary devices like cameras and wireless access points, and delivers reliable operation even in challenging northern climates.
The arrays achieve a 24% efficiency rating, well above the typical 15–18% seen in the industry. Each individual collector benefits from 4-channel Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), optimizing array performance and energy capture regardless of sunlight angle or shading. The tempered glass surface is engineered to resist UV degradation, dust buildup, and snow accumulation, ensuring sustained high performance and reduced maintenance requirements.
Autonomous and Adaptive Controls
An important feature of the 360 Solar system is its intelligent, autonomous on-board control technology. Powered by self-learning edge computing and an integrated GPS locator, the system continuously monitors environmental conditions and predicts solar irradiance, allowing real-time adaptation for optimal energy use. Upon installation, the fixture undergoes a five-day “powering up” protocol, autonomously establishing its energy management baseline without requiring technician programming or app-based adjustment. Its internet-enabled functionality supports remote monitoring, data access, and over-the-air software updates, ensuring efficiency and ease of ongoing operation.
Installation and maintenance are simplified by plug-and-play, connectorized cabling, and secure housing of control units behind lockable handholes. This design supports security and serviceability, with self-contained components minimizing theft risk and facilitating rapid repairs.
Battery Performance and Environmental Resilience
The system uses advanced lithium nickel-manganese-cobalt (Li-NMC) batteries with a wide operating temperature range (-5°F to +140°F), supporting deployment from cold, northern zones to hot equatorial regions. Onboard controls actively manage battery health, preventing deep discharge and extending lifecycle. The vertical mounting ensures even weight distribution and low sail-area exposure, augmenting both mechanical stability and visual elegance. Maintenance components are easily accessible, and the system’s glass and pole construction further enhance physical durability and weather resistance.
Product Integration and Applications
Landscape Forms has integrated the 360 Solar option into multiple products, including LEO, Torres, Ashbery, and Northport, supporting diverse design and project needs. High-efficiency DC-based LED luminaires have been specifically optimized for solar operation, heightening light output and lowering system losses. The products are ideal for challenging environments, affirming suitability across brownfield developments, remote sites, amusement & water parks, and locations where sustainability and grid independence are vital.
Materials and Finish Options
360 Solar systems are available in a wide range of robust powder-coated finishes, encompassing both neutral and vivid color series designed to harmonize with architectural demands and aesthetic preferences. The solar array’s modularity and robust engineering ensure broad adaptability and enduring performance, confirming its value as forward-looking, resilient, exterior lighting solutions.
More information is available here.
Images: Landscape Forms 360 Solar: Torres, Northport, LEO, and Ashbery. All images from landscapeforms.com .
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