For equestrian facilities across Australia, reliable lighting is essential for safe training, riding, and events—especially during early mornings and evenings. As energy costs rise and sustainability becomes a priority, many property owners are turning to solar solutions.
In this guide, we’ll explore how solar arena lighting systems work, the different installation approaches available, and how to choose the right system for your facility.
Whether you manage a private paddock, agistment property, or commercial equestrian centre, proper lighting is critical for both horse and rider safety.
Poor visibility can lead to:
High-quality lighting ensures even visibility across the arena, helping both horse and rider perform safely and confidently.
Solar arena lighting systems use photovoltaic panels to generate energy during the day, which is stored in batteries and used to power lighting at night.
These systems are ideal for:
They provide a flexible and sustainable alternative to traditional grid-powered lighting.
When it comes to equestrian applications, there are two main ways to install solar lighting systems—each suited to different needs and budgets.
Method 1: Independent Solar Battery System (The Professional Approach)
This method involves building a ground-mounted solar and battery system positioned near the arena, which powers standard lighting infrastructure.
Pros:
Cons:
👉 This approach is best suited for facilities that require high-performance lighting, longer usage hours, and compliance with standards.
Method 2: Integrated Solar Light Systems (All-in-One Units)
This method uses all-in-one solar lights, where the solar panel, battery, and LED fixture are integrated into a single unit mounted on top of the pole.
Pros:
Cons:
👉 These systems are ideal for basic training or low-use arenas, but may not be suitable for professional or competition environments.
When designing an arena lighting system, it’s important to consider compliance with AS 2560.2.2021, the Australian standard for sports lighting.
For outdoor equestrian arenas, recommended lighting levels include:
Non-Jumping Arenas
Jumping Arenas
Glare Control (GR)
Lighting must also limit glare to ensure safety for both horse and rider.
Excessive glare can distract or startle horses and reduce visibility, making proper lighting design essential.
Colour Rendering (Ra)
The standard also specifies a minimum Colour Rendering Index (Ra) of 65, but to ensuring that colours are accurately represented under artificial lighting (Ra) 80+ are recommended for all Lighting solution.
This improves:
In most cases, integrated solar lighting systems (All in 1 solar) struggle to meet these full requirements, particularly overall Lux level, uniformity, and operate hours in winter period (limit of Sun light) while professionally designed solar battery systems can be engineered to comply.
For full details, refer to Standards Australia.
The right lighting system depends on how your arena is used:
Explore tailored solutions for:
Choosing the right solar arena lighting system can make a significant difference in safety, usability, and long-term costs.
While all-in-one solar lights offer a quick and cost-effective solution, a professionally designed solar system delivers superior performance, longer operating hours, and compliance with Australian standards.
Ready to upgrade your arena lighting?
Speak with the Sonaray team today for expert advice and a tailored solution designed specifically for your equestrian facility.
