The Two Architectures
All-in-one (integrated) solar street lights pack the LED lamp, solar panel, LiFePO4 battery and controller into a single lamp-head housing. You bolt the unit to a pole and it works.
Split (two-part / AIT) systems separate the components: panel on top, lamp below it, battery either in a box at the pole base or mid-pole, connected by cables.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Factor | All-in-one | Split system |
|---|---|---|
| Installation time | 30–60 min per point | 2–4 hours per point (wiring) |
| Battery capacity ceiling | ~200 Ah eq. (size-limited) | Effectively unlimited |
| Battery life in heat | Shorter — battery sits under the hot lamp head | Longer — battery box can be shaded/ventilated |
| Theft risk | Low — everything is 6 m up | Higher — ground battery boxes need locking anti-theft cabinets |
| Panel orientation | Fixed with the lamp angle | Independently aimed — better harvest |
| Maintenance | Swap whole unit or battery cartridge | Replace any single component |
| Unit cost (same power) | Lower | Higher (cables, cabinet, labor) |
| Best for | Estates, villages, roads ≤ 8 m poles | Highways, 8–12 m poles, high-wattage |
Choose All-in-One When…
- Poles are ≤ 8 m and lighting demand is ≤ 120 W.
- Installation crews are small or unskilled — integration removes wiring errors.
- Theft is a serious concern — nothing reachable at ground level.
- You need to retrofit existing poles quickly (many Nigerian estates do).
Choose Split When…
- The project is a highway or main road needing 150–300 W and large battery banks.
- Ambient heat is extreme — a shaded ground/mid-pole battery box extends life 20–40%.
- Maintenance access matters — individual components swap without a crane visit to the lamp head.
- Future expansion is likely (adding CCTV or extra panels).
The Heat Factor Most Buyers Miss
In an all-in-one unit the battery lives directly behind the LED engine. Nightly discharge plus daytime solar heating can push internal temperatures to 55–60 °C in the Sahel, accelerating capacity fade. Quality manufacturers compensate with:
- Separated battery compartment with an air-gap or heat-dissipation fins.
- Temperature-grade LiFePO4 cells rated to 60 °C+.
- Low-power-density designs (more cell volume per Wh).
Ask the factory for the battery compartment's thermal design — if they cannot answer, the light is a generic assembly, not an engineered product.
Hybrid Note: the "All-in-Two" Option
Some projects use a middle path: the panel is separate (bolted at the optimal angle) while lamp + battery stay integrated. This recovers 15–25% more energy than fixed integration while keeping most of the installation simplicity. Woneng's AIT series is built exactly this way for 8 m pole estate and township roads.
Decision Summary
If your poles are under 8 m, buy all-in-one with LiFePO4 and IP66. If you are lighting a highway or need 200 W+, buy split with a shaded battery cabinet. In between (60–150 W on 8 m poles), the all-in-two layout is often the sweet spot. Woneng manufactures all three architectures in one factory — send your road cross-section and we will recommend the most cost-effective option with a lighting simulation.
Request a Free Quote for Your Project
Tell us your application, quantity and market — we return a factory-direct quote with lighting simulation and bill of materials within 24 hours.
- Free system design & bill of materials
- Factory-direct pricing, OEM/ODM available
- Quote delivered within 24 hours