Adequate lighting increases safety and productivity when crews are working early in the morning, late in the evening or in foggy conditions. It’s also an OSHA requirement. Construction light towers offer a convenient, affordable solution. One of the decisions contractors must make when choosing a portable light tower is the power source. Diesel, electric, solar and hybrid light towers all offer distinct advantages.

The best type of light tower for the project depends on several factors, including the amount and duration of illumination needed, the availability of grid power, the budget and any jobsite emissions targets in place. This guide outlines the benefits of each light tower power type and other factors to weigh to help contractors make the smartest decision.

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Portable light tower with generator

The most common type of light tower has a built-in diesel generator to power the lights.

Advantages of diesel light towers

• Flexibility:Diesel light towers are rugged and don’t rely on grid power, so they can be used anywhere outdoors.
• Long run times: The run time depends in part on the size of the generator’s fuel tank, but some diesel light towers can operate for 60 to 100 hours on one tank.
• Maximum illumination: Diesel light towers can supply intense light—popular models provide 188,000 to 462,000 lumens—over a large area. This four-fixture light tower with a 16-20kW generator, for example, can illuminate up to 7 acres.
• Convenient power for tools: Crews can use the generator’s outlets to power hand tools and electronic devices.

Other considerations

• Refueling needs: A light tower powered by a generator requires regular refueling.
• Fuel costs: The cost of diesel may make these light towers more expensive to run than electric light towers.
• Noise: Diesel generators can be noisy, which can be an issue in noise-sensitive environments.
• Maintenance: Generators require maintenance, including oil changes.
• Emissions: Running diesel light towers contributes to a project’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Electric light tower

An electric light tower can plug into a standard power outlet or a generator outlet. Some of these light towers are electric only; they must be connected to a power source during operation. Others are battery-electric and can operate on battery power until they need recharging.

Advantages of electric light towers

• Convenience: When a site has grid power, electric light towers offer maximum convenience as there is no need to fuel or maintain a generator. Because they generate no emissions, they can be used indoors or outdoors.
• Quiet operation: Electric light towers are ideal for noise-sensitive environments.
• Reliability. An electric light tower connected to the grid won’t run out of fuel.
• Clean operation: Because these light towers emit no greenhouse gases during operation, they can help contractors meet project emissions targets.
• Affordable operation: Depending on local power costs, electric light towers may be cheaper to run than diesel light towers.

Other considerations

• Limited mobility: An electric-only light tower requires a power cord, which can pose a tripping hazard. The mobility of the light tower is limited by the length of the cord or extension cord. Extension cords must be grounded and rated for the required amperage.
• Charging needs. Battery-electric light towers require time in between shifts for the battery to charge. Some towers feature advanced battery packs and can run for up to 10 hours on a charge.

Solar light tower

In solar light towers, photovoltaic cells mounted on the tower charge the batteries that power the lights.

Advantages of solar light towers

• Low operational costs: Unlike diesel, sunshine is free.
• Zero emissions: Solar light towers do not emit greenhouse gases, making them a valuable option for low-emission jobsites.
• Silent operation: Silence is golden when working near hospitals or in other noise-sensitive areas.
• Lower maintenance:  With no generator to service, solar light towers require minimal maintenance.

Other considerations

• Limited run time: The units will eventually run out of battery charge if sufficient sunlight isn’t available, though some units can be charged externally. Programmable solar light towers can be set to turn on exactly when you need them, which can help preserve battery power. Some offer a convenient time-remaining feature.
• Seasonal considerations. In rainy climates and during winter months, solar may not be the right choice.
• Less illumination: Typically, solar light towers produce fewer lumens than diesel light towers, though some advanced models feature increased power yields.
• Higher upfront cost: Solar light towers may cost more to buy or rent than other light towers.

Hybrid light towers

Newest to the market, hybrid light towers are emerging as best-of-all-worlds choices for construction site lighting needs. These towers combine two or more power sources—typically, a diesel engine and a battery. The generator runs during high-demand periods, charging the battery as it does. The light tower automatically switches to battery power when the battery has sufficient charge.

Some hybrid light towers also feature a solar array to further reduce the need for the generator to run.

 Advantages of hybrid light towers

• Lower fuel costs and emissions: By slashing generator run time, these light towers offer significantly reduced fuel costs and generate dramatically lower amounts of greenhouse gas emissions compared with diesel-only light towers.
• Infrequent refueling: Because they burn through less fuel, these light towers need less frequent refueling.
• Always-available power: The generator ensures that power is always available, even if the battery runs low.
• Extended operation: These light towers can operate for longer periods than diesel-alone light towers thanks to battery energy storage.
• Less maintenance: Lower generator run time translates to lower maintenance requirements.

Considerations

• Higher upfront cost: Hybrid light towers may cost more to buy or rent than other light towers.

The bottom line

On remote jobsites, diesel light towers are the most obvious choice and typically provide the brightest lighting. On jobsites with grid power, electric light towers are the standard choice and offer the most convenience. Solar light towers are ideal when environmental sustainability is a concern, sunlight is abundant and lighting needs are moderate. Hybrid light towers are an optimal solution that offers reliability, fuel economy and reduced emissions.

Browse our online marketplace to explore our wide selection of towable light towers.