When Main Power Went Out, Solar Lights Stayed On

How fit-for-purpose SBL2 Series solar lighting at Talo Verde Estates continued illuminating pathways through Typhoon Mawar in Guam.

What happens to pathway lighting when a major typhoon takes down the local power network? 

In May 2023, Typhoon Mawar passed close to northern Guam as a Category 4 typhoon. The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) Guam later assessed maximum sustained winds of approximately 130 to 140 mph near closest approach, with severe wind and rain impacts across the island. Nearly all of Guam was left without power, water and most cellular communications during the event.

At Talo Verde Estates in Tamuning, Australian-designed and manufactured SBL2 Series solar bollard lights had already been installed along community pathways. SBL’s project records report that the solar lighting remained operational when mains power was lost and withstood impacts from wind-driven debris.

The installation provides a real-world example of why commercial-grade solar lighting should be designed fit-for-purpose, with reliable performance across the full lifecycle of the asset in mind.

The storm that tested the installation 

Typhoon Mawar affected Guam on 24–25 May 2023. NWS Guam reported that the storm’s strongest conditions were concentrated in northern Guam, while central Guam also experienced significant typhoon-force conditions. The slow-moving system produced approximately 1.5 to 2 feet of rain across much of the island.

Talo Verde Estates is located in Tamuning on Guam’s western side. NWS assessments indicate that central Guam experienced lower wind conditions than the island’s northern tip, but was still affected by severe weather and widespread service disruption. For the Talo Verde installation, the relevant test was the combination of severe environmental conditions, wind-driven debris and the loss of local mains power.

When grid power failed, the pathway lights stayed on 

During severe weather events, conventional pathway lighting can be compromised when the local electrical network is damaged or shut down. A self-contained solar lighting system operates differently, with its own solar generation, battery storage and lighting controls rather than depending on a live mains-powered circuit.

SBL reports that when mains power at Talo Verde Estates went out during Typhoon Mawar, the SBL2 Series units continued illuminating the estate pathways. The company’s existing project records also state that the lights withstood impacts from flying debris during the storm. The outcome highlights the importance of specifying lighting for the conditions it may encounter, including severe weather, reduced solar input and periods when surrounding infrastructure is disrupted.

Fit-for-purpose design for exposed outdoor environments

Commercial-grade solar lighting should be assessed by more than its initial lighting performance.

For exposed coastal environments, the complete system needs to be designed for the environmental conditions it may face throughout its long lifecycle. This includes the quality of materials and components, protection against water ingress and impact, battery autonomy, power management and the mounting system.

The SBL2 Series is Australian-designed and manufactured commercial-grade solar lighting. Current SBL2 technical material lists IP68 protection to AS/NZS 60529:2004 and IK10 impact resistance to IEC 62262:2002 for the relevant commercial-grade configuration.

These certifications provide an important technical benchmark, but correct specification also requires an understanding of the installation environment and how the complete lighting system is expected to perform over its service life. This is particularly important for infrastructure exposed to tropical storms, high winds, flooding, tidal surges and the associated impacts of wind-driven or floating debris.

Real-world performance matters beyond the specification sheet

Independent laboratory testing and product certification are important starting points when assessing commercial-grade solar lighting.

However, long lifecycle performance also depends on selecting a product that is genuinely fit-for-purpose for the site.

At Talo Verde Estates, SBL reports that the solar pathway lights remained operational during a major power outage associated with Typhoon Mawar, continuing to provide local pathway illumination while conventional mains power was unavailable.

The installation provides a practical example of how the design of a self-contained solar lighting system can support reliable operation when severe weather places surrounding infrastructure under pressure.

For councils, municipalities, residential communities and infrastructure owners, this is an important consideration when selecting lighting for locations where dependable illumination may still be required following a major weather event.

What this means for councils, municipalities, local governments and specifiers

For coastal locations exposed to tropical cyclones, hurricanes or typhoons, as well as tidal surges and flood-prone environments, standalone solar lighting systems should be assessed against the most extreme conditions reasonably anticipated throughout their full service life.

With accelerating climate-driven challenges, correct fit-for-purpose specification and long lifecycle performance expectations are increasingly important considerations for public and commercial infrastructure.

Before specifying a solar lighting product, project teams should ask:

These questions help establish whether a solar lighting system has been designed to suit the intended environment, rather than relying on headline product claims alone.

Correct specification cannot prevent a severe weather event, but it can reduce the risk of pathway lighting becoming another failed infrastructure asset when surrounding services are under pressure.

Project overview 

Planning lighting for a cyclone, hurricane or typhoon-prone location?

Explore the SBL2 Series, view more projects across the Americas, or contact Solar Bollard Lighting to discuss site conditions, battery autonomy, mounting requirements and long lifecycle performance expectations for your project.