Typical solar lighting is completely off-grid, relying entirely on solar panels and a battery to power the street or area light. A more recent variation that is gaining traction is hybrid solar street and area lights. These lights contain the solar panels and battery, but also have a grid hook up for backup power, when needed. The hybrid solar lights work via a smart control system that detects low voltage in the built-in battery and switches from solar power to grid power. Grid backup assures more reliable lighting throughout the night, even in cloudy, rainy, or snowy conditions. This additional reliability can reduce liability for the municipality or property owner, potentially preventing crime or accidents from occurring during a drained battery for a conventional solar light.
Manufacturers offering hybrid solar lights include Soltech Lighting, Light Efficient Design, and Signify. Signify recently published a case study of their hybrid solar lights being installed within parks, in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Edinburgh installed the hybrid solar lighting in several parks to improve safety, sustainability and user experience. The Signify system combines solar power with grid backup to ensure reliable illumination year-round.
The City of Edinburgh Council deployed the technology in Baronscourt Park, Hailes Quarry Park and Ferniehill, with an off‑grid solar installation at Dundas. The hybrid luminaires prioritize solar energy but automatically switch to line voltage power when needed, maintaining consistent light levels regardless of weather or season. Integrated smart sensors keep lights at low output when paths are empty and raise brightness as people approach, which reduces energy use, light pollution, and disturbance to wildlife, while enhancing perceived safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
The connected system is managed through Signify’s Interact City platform, allowing remote monitoring, energy tracking and analysis of pathway activity to inform future planning. City leaders highlight the project’s role in advancing climate goals, cutting grid consumption (reported reduction of around 53 percent in pilot areas) and encouraging greater evening use of green spaces. Edinburgh is described as the first UK city to implement this type of connected hybrid solar lighting in parks, raising the bar for sustainable, people-focused public lighting.
More information on the Signify Edinburgh case study is available here.
Image above: Soltech hybrid solar light fixture. Courtesy of SoltechLighting.com.
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