Single Arm Solar Street Light Poles

1. Foundation & Anchoring (Preparation)

Before the pole arrives, the concrete foundation must be fully cured (typically 7–14 days).

    Excavation: Dig the pit based on pole height (e.g., $1.0\text{m}$ to $1.5\text{m}$ deep).

    Anchor Bolt Placement: Insert the bolt cage. Use a spirit level to ensure the top template is perfectly horizontal. Even a $1^\circ$ tilt at the base results in a visible lean at an 8-meter height.

    Conduit: Ensure the PVC cable pipe is clear of debris.

2. Ground Assembly (Pre-Lifting)

    Crucial Rule: Always complete the assembly while the pole is lying on the ground. Never attempt to install heavy solar components at height.

    Arm & Fixture: Bolt the single arm to the shaft and secure the LED lamp head.

    Solar Bracket: Attach the solar panel to its bracket. Orientation Tip: In the Northern Hemisphere, the panel must face True South. Ensure the tilt angle matches the local latitude (usually between $15^\circ$ and $35^\circ$).

    Internal Wiring: Thread the PV cables and lamp wires through the pole toward the service door.

3. Lifting & Positioning

    Sling Point: Attach a nylon lifting sling at approximately the top 1/3 point of the pole to maintain a stable center of gravity during the lift.

    Flange Alignment: Slowly lower the pole onto the anchor bolts.

    Fastening: Secure with flat washers, spring washers, and double nuts. Double-nutting is a Decano standard to prevent loosening caused by constant wind vibration.

4. Vertical Calibration (Levelling)

    Dual-Axis Check: Use a transit or a plumb bob to check the verticality from two directions ($90^\circ$ apart).

    Shimming: If the pole is leaning, insert thin steel shims between the foundation and the flange plate until the pole is perfectly vertical.

5. Electrical Connection & Testing

    Controller Sequence: This is the most critical technical step. Always connect in this order:

    Battery (Wait for the controller to initialize).

    Load (The LED light).

    Solar Panel (The PV input).

    Functional Test: Cover the solar panel with its cardboard packaging to simulate night. The LED should ignite within 1–2 minutes.

6. Weatherproofing & Finishing

   Sealing: Apply waterproof sealant or expanding foam to the cable entry point at the base to prevent ground moisture from rising into the pole.

    Hatch Security: Ensure the service door's EPDM gasket is seated correctly before tightening the anti-theft screws.

Technical Summary for Engineers

For solar poles, the tilting moment is higher than standard poles due to the large surface area of the solar panel (the "Sail Effect"). Ensure that the wind-load calculations for your specific site have accounted for the Effective Projected Area (EPA) of the solar panel you are using.