Base lighting is often temporary and often far from power: an entry control point during construction, a motor pool expansion, a range, or a field exercise. Diesel light plants work, but someone has to fuel, start, service, and shut down every one of them. Solight solar light towers charge from the sun, store power in lithium batteries, and run LED floods on dusk-to-dawn or timer control. There's no fuel, no engine noise, and no exhaust at the light.
Solight builds most of its solar light towers in Arizona, including the SLT-1200M, our military light cart.
The SLT-1200M military light tower
The SLT-1200M is our ruggedized version of the SLT-1200, built for military and government sites. From the product page:
- 1,200+ Watt extendable three-panel solar array
- LiFePO4 lithium battery bank (10.24 kWh)
- 4 × 100 W LED flood lights, 64,000 lumens
- 30 ft telescoping mast
- On a full charge, the usable battery (90% of 10.24 kWh, about 9.2 kWh) runs the 400 W lights for about 23 hours, which is up to two full nights of about 11–12 hours each, even without sun in between
- About 15-minute setup (as listed on the product page)
- Fits in a shipping container or on a 463L pallet; removable tongue for a compact footprint
- Pintle hitch, forklift pockets, four tie-down D-rings, and four outrigger jacks
- Steel lockable housing, cooling fans for hot environments, and filters to reduce dust damage
- Optional desert tan powder coat
Charging options include the sun, an optional 240/110 V AC plug, an optional NATO slave receptacle, and an optional wind turbine (450 W). An optional backup diesel generator is also available for sites that need it. Lights run dusk-to-dawn automatically, on a digital timer, or with manual on/off switches.
Past performance
Solight has provided light carts for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and has fulfilled a number of military contracts. From CBP:
"Given what I know today about the contractor's ability to perform in accordance with this contract or order's most significant requirements, I would recommend them for similar requirements in the future." — U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Where solar towers fit on a base
- Perimeter and fence lines. Light long fence runs and remote gates where trenching power isn't practical. Add cameras with an SLT-S tower (see below).
- Entry control points and checkpoints. Temporary lighting during construction or traffic changes, with no generator noise next to the guard post.
- Flightline-area work lighting. General area light for aircraft parking, hangar aprons, and equipment staging. These are portable work lights, not airfield lighting systems. Follow base and airfield rules on placement and glare.
- Training areas and ranges. Remote sites where fuel resupply takes time and the lights need to run unattended.
- Motor pools, laydown yards, and staging areas. Night work and security light for equipment and materials.
For larger areas, the SLT-2500 has a 2,500 Watt array, 20.5 kWh lithium battery, and up to 128,000 lumens on dual 30 ft masts. The SLT-4100H pairs a 4,100 Watt array with a Kubota generator and 100-gallon tank as backup. Compare all models on the solar lighting page.
Adding cameras: light and security on one mast
If a perimeter or gate needs both light and video, the SLT-S towers combine LED floods, Lorex 4K PTZ cameras with 360° pan, and an onboard NVR with remote viewing from a phone or PC. Their product pages list military use, border patrol, and emergency response among their applications.
- SLT-1200S: two Lorex 4K PTZ cameras with 360° pan, two 100 W floods (32,000 lumens), 10 kWh lithium, 25 ft mast
- SLT-2500S: up to four Lorex 4K PTZ cameras with 360° pan, six 100 W floods (100,000 lumens), 20.5 kWh lithium, 30 ft mast
Camera-only towers (SOCAM-1, SOCAM-2, SOCAM-3) are covered on solar security towers.
Solar vs. diesel on a base
A diesel light plant can run as long as it has fuel, but each unit needs refueling, oil and filter service, and someone to start and stop it. A solar tower has no fuel and little routine maintenance, and it can run unattended on dusk-to-dawn control. The tradeoff is that solar runtime depends on battery size and sun. That's why we offer larger batteries, wind and AC charging options, and the SLT-4100H hybrid. For a fuller comparison, read solar vs. diesel light plants.
Buying notes for government and contractor teams
- Solight sells and rents the same towers. Purchases ship nationwide, and rentals are delivered from Mesa across Arizona, California, Utah, and Nevada.
- In your request, list the options you need: NATO slave, AC plug, wind turbine, backup generator, desert tan finish, cameras, and shipping (container or 463L pallet).
- Because we manufacture the towers, we can change light count, battery capacity, and camera packages for a specific requirement.
- Send specifications, quantities, delivery location, and required dates to contact Solight for a written quote.
Frequently asked questions
Does Solight make a military light tower?
Yes. The SLT-1200M, also known as our military light cart, is a ruggedized solar light tower with a 1,200+ Watt array, four 100 W LED floods rated at 64,000 lumens, and a 30 ft mast. It has a pintle hitch and lockable steel housing, and it fits in a container or on a 463L pallet.
Can the SLT-1200M charge from sources other than solar?
Yes. Besides the sun, it can charge through an optional 240/110 V AC plug, an optional NATO slave receptacle, or an optional wind turbine. An optional backup diesel generator is also available.
How long does setup take?
The SLT-1200M product page lists a simple setup of about 15 minutes. Exact time depends on the site and the options installed.
Can solar light towers be used near a flightline?
They can provide general work and area lighting near aircraft parking, hangars, and staging areas. They are portable work lights, not airfield lighting systems, so follow base and airfield rules for placement and glare.
Can I add security cameras?
Yes. The SLT-1200S and SLT-2500S combine LED floods with Lorex 4K PTZ cameras (360° pan) and an onboard network video recorder that can be viewed remotely from a phone or PC.
Can the military light tower be shipped overseas?
The SLT-1200M is designed to fit in a shipping container or on a 463L pallet, and its tongue is removable for a compact footprint. Contact Solight with the destination for shipping details.
Request a quote for base lighting
Tell us the site, quantity, options, and dates. Contact Solight or call 480-626-2044, Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm Arizona time. Solight, 419 E. Juanita Ave #102, Mesa, AZ 85204 · cs@solight.com.