In remote parts of Australia where grid access is scarce, solar street lighting is helping reduce risk, increase visibility, and provide essential infrastructure with minimal environmental footprint.
At the forefront of this transformation is Orca Solar Lighting, whose locally engineered, autonomous systems are being used by councils and road agencies to light intersections, car parks and community precincts across the country.
For Jamie Janides, General Manager of Orca Solar Lighting, the shift is long overdue.
“We can supply lights in areas where there’s no infrastructure for 240-volt mains power,” he says.
“A lot of the intersections we work on are high-risk zones. By illuminating those black spots, we help make the roads safer – not just for drivers, but for the whole community.”
From the Kimberley to the outer suburbs of Melbourne, Orca’s solutions are being used by state road authorities including Main Roads WA, TMR QLD, VicRoads, and Transport for NSW. Their appeal lies in flexibility and performance, particularly in challenging environments.
“Solar lighting performs no different to a normal 240-volt luminaire,” Janides says.
“In fact, with our technology, we can transform a regular grid-powered light into a solar version through a simple change in the driver setup.”
Designing for difference
While solar lighting might seem plug-and-play, the reality is far more nuanced. Sun does not shine equally in Darwin and Dandenong, which is why, according to Janides, every Orca system is custom-designed for its location using NASA solar trajectory data, climate modelling, and shading assessments.
“What we supply in Tully, Queensland, is very different to what we’d install in Melbourne,” he says.
“We track the path of the sun, adjust the tilt of the solar panels, and build the battery configuration to suit local weather conditions – rainfall, cloud cover, even latitude.”
This approach allows Orca to guarantee a minimum of four days of battery autonomy on every system.
“We might have different-sized panels, more battery capacity or a different pole configuration, but we always over-engineer it,” Janides says.
“We say four days, but it’s often more like four and a half.”
Choosing the right chemistry
One of Orca’s technical points of difference lies in its choice of batteries. While lithium is a common industry default, Janides says Orca prefers locally made gel batteries for most large-scale road applications.
“Gel batteries are better suited to Australian conditions. They won’t overheat, and they allow us to get the four days of autonomy more reliably,” he says.
“They’re made here in New South Wales, and they’re engineered for the depth-of-discharge needs we’re designing for.”
Lithium batteries still have a place in some smaller or less demanding projects, but for infrastructure-grade lighting in remote or critical areas, Janides says gel is the clear winner.
No one size fits all
Perhaps the most persistent myth in solar lighting, Janides says, is the belief that one solution fits all.
“That’s the misconception. People think you can just pick a light off the shelf and it’ll work everywhere. But if you try to use the same system in Noosa and then in Tully, it’s going to fail,” he says.
“We insist on doing a full lighting design for every project.”
Orca provides these designs free of charge as part of its pre-sale service, allowing engineers and councils to properly scope lighting levels, shading risks, solar exposure, and compliance with standards.
“You can’t skip that step. It’s what ensures the product will actually perform,” he says.
Built for compliance, designed for extremes
Unlike many mass-market systems, Orca’s products are designed and assembled in Australia to meet local compliance and engineering standards.
“All our poles are certified. The foundation cages are signed off. We use only GM poles and quality-assured Australian suppliers,” says Janides.
“Once you start adding solar panels to a pole, it becomes a wind sail, so we need to make sure it doesn’t blow away in a cyclone.”
They are tested in the toughest conditions too.
“In the recent Gold Coast cyclone, a lot of other suppliers took their lights down. Ours stayed up – and not one was damaged,” Janides says.
Not just for the outback
While Orca has built a reputation for its work in remote and regional locations, Janides says the technology is increasingly being adopted in built-up areas too, driven by sustainability goals, cost savings, and practical constraints.
“One example is Warwick’s CBD upgrade in the Southern Downs. Instead of using 240-volt lighting, they installed 48 solar poles,” he says.
“It reduced their energy bills and avoided trenching costs.”
Solar lighting is also gaining traction in airports, car parks and public safety precincts where trenching through concrete or tarmac is too expensive or disruptive.
“We can install lights on concrete blocks, with zero running cost, no cabling, and no maintenance beyond routine checks,” Janides says.
Crime deterrence and community safety
In urban settings, one of the key benefits of solar lighting is its role in reducing crime and improving perceived safety.
“There’s no hard data, but we get calls from people who feel unsafe – like a car hire company in Townsville who said their fleet was getting stripped overnight,” Janides says.
“Once they installed solar lights, it made a real difference. Even if it’s just a deterrent, that visibility can mean a lot.”
Though opinions on the safety impact of lighting vary, Janides maintains that lighting builds confidence.
“People feel safer in lit areas. It’s common sense. And when it’s solar, you can put that lighting exactly where it’s needed, without worrying about the grid,” he says.
Orca’s products aren’t limited to permanent fixtures either. Its temporary solar lighting systems are used on civil construction sites and roadworks, offering an alternative to noisy, fuel-reliant generators.
“We work with Civil Contractors Federation members all over NSW and Queensland,” says Janides.
“We supply lighting on concrete blocks that can be moved around site, taken to the next job, and run purely on solar. No diesel, no emissions.”
The key guarantee
An often-misunderstood distinction Janides wants to clarify is the difference between a warranty and a performance guarantee.
“Warranty just covers the components. A performance guarantee means we’re standing behind how the product will work in that specific location,” he explains.
“Because we engineer each solution to be fit for purpose, we can confidently say it’ll do the job.”
He says this model prioritises performance over flash – backed by rigorous design, solid engineering and a deep understanding of Australian conditions.
“We manufacture and assemble everything in Australia for our larger projects. It’s all done locally, for local needs,” Janides says.
To find out more, visit orcasolarlighting.com.au
