The DRAGON SOLAR luminaire from AEC Illuminazione represents a breakthrough in hybrid solar technology for urban outdoor lighting. Developed in collaboration with Davide Oppizzi’s DCUBE SWISS Studio, this collection merges refined design, environmental awareness, and technical innovation into a single lighting solution. With its minimalist, architectural form, DRAGON SOLAR integrates seamlessly into any urban setting, reflecting AEC’s dedication to combining performance, sustainability, and aesthetics. More than a conventional luminaire, it redefines the concept of outdoor solar lighting through advanced hybrid solar technology that ensures reliable operation, exceptional visual comfort, and reduced environmental impact.
At the core of DRAGON SOLAR’s innovation lies its Hybrid Solar Technology, which merges photovoltaic and mains power to achieve consistent performance under varying environmental conditions. This system guarantees continuous operation while maximizing renewable energy usage. The luminaire’s profile aluminum alloy construction ensures high structural integrity and effective heat dissipation, while its IP66-rated protection safeguards it from dust and moisture, enabling reliable operation in all weather conditions. DRAGON SOLAR operates across a wide temperature range from -40°C to +50°C, with removable and replaceable LED modules and gear trays that simplify maintenance and upgrades. Surge protection up to 10kV / 6kV CM/DM further enhances durability and operational safety.
The project’s solar technology is inspired by the blue morpho butterfly, whose wings exhibit iridescent coloration due to structural rather than pigment-based color. AEC has applied this biological principle to create photovoltaic cells free of pigments and paints, optimizing light reflection and energy capture. Each solar panel integrates nanotechnological surface treatments, where atomic deposition converts standard glass into colored solar glass that resists UV degradation. A multilayer coating, applied through low-pressure plasma processes, enhances solar transmittance, mechanical strength, and color stability over time. The result is a surface that maintains vivid hues while concealing the internal photovoltaic elements, offering diffuse reflection that eliminates glare and enhances visual comfort. These innovative solar panels are available in four colors — Bronze, Blue, Light Grey, and Dark Grey — allowing them to blend into diverse architectural contexts while complementing the surrounding environment.
The panels are built from monocrystalline silicon cells encapsulated in tempered glass and measure 240 x 1200 mm each, providing an exposed surface area of 0.3 m² and a nominal power output of 32Wp at standard test conditions. Depending on the installation height and luminaire configuration, each system integrates three or four photovoltaic panels, optimized for poles of 8 or 9 meters. The panels connect via integrated MC4 connectors, ensuring secure and reliable electrical coupling.
Powering the system is a LiFePO₄ battery that offers exceptional stability, safety, and longevity, with a nominal capacity of 36.8Ah and a voltage of 12.8Vdc. It maintains up to 3000 cycles at 80% depth of discharge, ensuring consistent performance over several years of use. The battery management system (BMS) includes intelligent protections against over-discharge, over-temperature, and overcurrent, while maintaining an operational temperature range from -20°C to +70°C. Charging is managed through a CC-CV method with a charging voltage of 14.6V, ensuring safe and efficient energy transfer.
The MPPT module and hybrid driver system manage power flow between the battery and the electrical grid, ensuring uninterrupted operation. The anti-blackout function, integrated within the gear tray, automatically switches between solar and mains supply modes depending on energy availability. The hybrid power supply operates at 220–240V (50/60Hz) with a power factor greater than 0.9, while the appliance itself runs on 12–24Vdc, enabling broad compatibility and reliable energy efficiency. This dual-source configuration enables up to 100% energy savings depending on the installation site, lighting profile, and configuration.
DRAGON SOLAR offers flexible lighting configurations with two lengths — 1500 mm and 1800 mm — and options for three or four LED modules. Multiple optical distributions are available to suit various urban applications: SL05 and SL07 for streets and green areas, SL05-C and SL07-C for enhanced visual comfort, SLE-M and SLE-S for suburban environments, and SLU-M and SLU-S for cycle paths and pedestrian routes. Each configuration supports Type II and Type III asymmetrical optics with high uniformity and reduced glare, ensuring precise light control in both urban and extra-urban contexts.
The luminaire provides LED source efficiency of 174 lm/W at 400 mA and 85°C, with color temperatures ranging from 2200K to 4000K (others optional) and CRI ≥70, ensuring natural color rendering and superior visual comfort. The photobiological safety class is rated Exempt Group, affirming user safety during operation. The optical system achieves LOR and DLOR values of 100% with ULOR of 0%, ensuring full downward light output without upward spill, thus minimizing light pollution and preserving dark-sky standards.
Control flexibility is another hallmark of DRAGON SOLAR. Users can select from various control options, including fixed power (F), automatic dimming (DA) with virtual midnight operation, customized dimming profiles (DAC), constant light flux (FLC), and ZHAGA Book 18 socket compatibility for remote management nodes or presence sensors. This allows precise adaptation to urban schedules, traffic flow, and environmental conditions, optimizing performance and sustainability.
Every aspect of the DRAGON SOLAR system reflects AEC’s dedication to redefining the relationship between light, technology, and the environment. Through hybrid solar technology, advanced photovoltaic materials, and Italian design excellence, DRAGON SOLAR transcends traditional urban lighting by merging aesthetic sophistication, technical innovation, and ecological responsibility. It stands as a symbol of a sustainable future where technology and design coexist harmoniously to create safer, smarter, and more beautiful cities.
https://www.aecilluminazione.com/product/dragon-solar/
