Outdoor Solar Street Lights Waterproof Ratings
Feb 19, 2025
When choosing solar street lights, we need to consider many factors and indicators, among which the protection level (IP level) is an important indicator that cannot be ignored. The IP level is directly related to the durability and performance stability of solar LED street lights under various weather conditions. Especially in extreme environments such as tropical rainforests, high-temperature deserts, and cold plateaus, the protection level is a key factor in determining the life of lamps. So, what do the common protection levels of IP65, IP66, and IP67 represent? How to choose the most suitable protection level? As a professional solar powered street light manufacturer, Nokin will use this blog to fully analyze the protection level and importance of solar street lights for you, helping you make the most informed decision when purchasing.
The first digit (0-6): indicates the protection against solid particles (such as dust and sand), with the highest level being 6, indicating complete dustproof.
The second digit (0-9) indicates the protection against liquids (such as rainwater and high-pressure water flow). The higher the value, the stronger the waterproof performance.
* Liquid protection level: Level 5 (prevent low-pressure water jets from entering)
* Applicable scenarios: Solar powered LED street lights with an IP65 protection level are suitable for ordinary outdoor places such as urban roads, parks, communities, and squares and areas with relatively mild climates and no heavy rain or high-pressure water flow impact. IP65 solar street lights can prevent dust from entering and withstand jet-like rain but cannot withstand strong water flow impact or short-term immersion.
* Liquid protection level: Level 6 (prevent strong water jets from entering)
* Applicable scenarios: IP66-rated solar street lights have the same dustproof capabilities as IP65, but they can withstand stronger water flow impacts, such as strong winds and rainstorms or high-pressure water guns. Therefore, where higher waterproof performance is required, IP66 will be a more reliable choice. Therefore, in coastal areas, typhoon-prone areas, large roads, bridges, both sides of highways, and deserts or plateaus where sandstorms are frequent, it is recommended to choose solar powered street lights with an IP66 rating and above.
* Liquid protection level: Level 7 (can be immersed in water for a short time of 1 meter)
* Applicable scenarios: IP67-rated solar powered LED street lights go a step further in waterproofing, not only preventing water flow impact but also withstanding immersion for a short time (usually immersing in 1-meter-deep water for 30 minutes). Therefore, if the installation environment has extreme rainfall or short-term water accumulation, IP67 is the best choice. In high-humidity areas, such as tropical rainforests and coastal fishing villages; low-lying, water-prone areas, such as rivers and park lakes; and areas prone to heavy rainfall and floods, solar street lights with IP67 and above are safer and more durable choices.
* Liquid protection level: 8 (can be immersed in water more than 1 meter deep for a long time)
* Applicable scenarios: IP68 is the highest protection level of solar powered outdoor street lights at present. It can not only prevent all dust from entering but also can be immersed in water for a long time, more than 1 meter. The specific depth depends on the manufacturer's test standards. Therefore, if your use area is distributed in underwater bridges, docks, island areas, or solar LED street lights that need to be exposed to rain and humid environments for a long time, it is recommended that you choose IP68-rated solar lights for streets.
In addition, in addition to the IP level, attention should also be paid to the shell material, sealing process, and drainage design of the solar powered outdoor street light to ensure long-term stable operation in various environments.
The IP protection level of solar LED street lights directly affects their durability and applicable scenarios. When purchasing solar powered LED street lights, you need to choose the appropriate IP level according to the installation environment, climatic conditions, and usage requirements.
If you need high-quality, high-protection-level solar powered street lights, please contact Nokin. We provide professional, customized solar street light solutions to ensure that your lighting system operates stably in various environments.
What is the IP protection level of solar street lights?
The IP (Ingress Protection) protection level is established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to measure the protection ability of the housing of electrical equipment against solids and liquids. The IP level is usually composed of IP + two digits, such as IP65, IP66, IP67, IP68, etc.The first digit (0-6): indicates the protection against solid particles (such as dust and sand), with the highest level being 6, indicating complete dustproof.
The second digit (0-9) indicates the protection against liquids (such as rainwater and high-pressure water flow). The higher the value, the stronger the waterproof performance.
Analysis of common IP protection levels of solar street lights
1. IP65: dustproof and water-jet-proof, suitable for ordinary outdoor environments
* Solid protection level: Level 6 (completely dustproof)* Liquid protection level: Level 5 (prevent low-pressure water jets from entering)
* Applicable scenarios: Solar powered LED street lights with an IP65 protection level are suitable for ordinary outdoor places such as urban roads, parks, communities, and squares and areas with relatively mild climates and no heavy rain or high-pressure water flow impact. IP65 solar street lights can prevent dust from entering and withstand jet-like rain but cannot withstand strong water flow impact or short-term immersion.
2. IP66: Strong water jet resistance, suitable for harsh weather environments
* Solid protection level: Level 6 (completely dustproof)* Liquid protection level: Level 6 (prevent strong water jets from entering)
* Applicable scenarios: IP66-rated solar street lights have the same dustproof capabilities as IP65, but they can withstand stronger water flow impacts, such as strong winds and rainstorms or high-pressure water guns. Therefore, where higher waterproof performance is required, IP66 will be a more reliable choice. Therefore, in coastal areas, typhoon-prone areas, large roads, bridges, both sides of highways, and deserts or plateaus where sandstorms are frequent, it is recommended to choose solar powered street lights with an IP66 rating and above.
3. IP67: short-term water immersion protection, suitable for extreme environments
* Solid protection level: Level 6 (completely dustproof)* Liquid protection level: Level 7 (can be immersed in water for a short time of 1 meter)
* Applicable scenarios: IP67-rated solar powered LED street lights go a step further in waterproofing, not only preventing water flow impact but also withstanding immersion for a short time (usually immersing in 1-meter-deep water for 30 minutes). Therefore, if the installation environment has extreme rainfall or short-term water accumulation, IP67 is the best choice. In high-humidity areas, such as tropical rainforests and coastal fishing villages; low-lying, water-prone areas, such as rivers and park lakes; and areas prone to heavy rainfall and floods, solar street lights with IP67 and above are safer and more durable choices.
4. IP68: Completely dustproof + long-term underwater immersion, suitable for extreme environments
* Solid protection level: 6 (completely dustproof)* Liquid protection level: 8 (can be immersed in water more than 1 meter deep for a long time)
* Applicable scenarios: IP68 is the highest protection level of solar powered outdoor street lights at present. It can not only prevent all dust from entering but also can be immersed in water for a long time, more than 1 meter. The specific depth depends on the manufacturer's test standards. Therefore, if your use area is distributed in underwater bridges, docks, island areas, or solar LED street lights that need to be exposed to rain and humid environments for a long time, it is recommended that you choose IP68-rated solar lights for streets.
How to choose the appropriate protection level for solar street lights?
Different regions and usage scenarios have different protection requirements for solar powered street lights, so when purchasing, you need to choose according to the actual situation:| Usage Environment | Recommended protection level | Reason |
| Ordinary urban roads, parks, and residential areas | IP65 | Dust and rain proof, cost-effective |
| Coastal areas and typhoon-prone areas | IP66 | Can prevent strong wind and rain erosion and enhance weather resistance |
| Rainy, humid, and waterlogged environment | IP67 | Can prevent water immersion for a short time to ensure that electronic components are not damaged |
| Extremely severe weather conditions (such as sandstorms, tropical storms) | IP66 or IP67 | Provide stronger protection to ensure long-term stable operation |
| Flood-prone areas and underwater areas | IP68 | Suitable for extremely wet and underwater environments, with the strongest waterproof capability |
In addition, in addition to the IP level, attention should also be paid to the shell material, sealing process, and drainage design of the solar powered outdoor street light to ensure long-term stable operation in various environments.
Application cases of solar street lights with different IP levels
The higher the protection level, the longer the life of solar lights for streets usually is. However, it does not mean that the highest level, IP68, needs to be selected in all scenarios. A reasonable selection of protection level can not only save procurement costs but also extend the service life of lamps and improve the overall return on investment (ROI). The following are application cases of solar powered street lights in different environments:1. Mine dust explosion environment (IP66 protection level)
In an iron mine in Australia, the PM2.5 concentration in the local air has exceeded the standard for a long time, and there is a risk of dust explosion. The use of ordinary lamps causes safety hazards due to dust accumulation, and the explosion-proof requirements are strict. After multiple assessments, the local area chose to use IP66 dust-proof and explosion-proof solar LED street lights. The dust intrusion rate is less than 0.1 mg/m³. After replacing traditional high-pressure sodium lamps, the annual energy saving reaches 400 kW·h/unit. The mine safety supervisor commented that IP66 eliminates the risk of circuit failure caused by dust accumulation.2. Extremely high-temperature environment in the desert (IP67 protection level)
In Oman in West Asia, there are many desert areas, with a temperature difference of 40°C between day and night and frequent sandstorms. Ordinary street lamps are prone to damaging circuit boards due to high temperatures and dust intrusion causing heat dissipation failure. By deploying IP67 protection solar powered LED street lights, they have been running continuously for 3 years without failure in the local area, and the failure rate is 70% lower than that of IP65 models. Passive heat dissipation technology is adopted, and the power attenuation in a high-temperature environment is less than 5%. Customers in Oman reported that IP67 solar powered street lights completely solved the frequent maintenance problems caused by dust and high temperatures.3. High humidity and rainy environment in Southeast Asia (IP68 protection level)
In the tropical rainforest of Palawan Island in the Philippines, the annual rainfall exceeds 5000 mm, and the humidity is above 90% all year round. Ordinary street lamps are short-circuited due to rainwater penetration, and mold growth shortens their lifespan. Later, we chose to install IP68 fully sealed solar powered outdoor street lights, which withstood continuous rainstorm tests without water ingress, and the mold inhibition rate was 99%, reducing maintenance costs by 65% during the 5-year warranty period. Local tourism developers said that IP68 solar street lights maintain a 100% lighting rate even in the rainy season.The IP protection level of solar LED street lights directly affects their durability and applicable scenarios. When purchasing solar powered LED street lights, you need to choose the appropriate IP level according to the installation environment, climatic conditions, and usage requirements.
If you need high-quality, high-protection-level solar powered street lights, please contact Nokin. We provide professional, customized solar street light solutions to ensure that your lighting system operates stably in various environments.
