Zhaga/D4i-Compatible Solar Street Light Controller

In recent years, smart lighting solutions based on the global standards Zhaga Book 18 interface and D4i communication protocol have been developing rapidly, especially in the field of solar-powered road lighting. Whether it’s All-in-One solar street lights, split-type solar systems, or the emerging vertical solar street lights, the ability to centrally manage them through wireless smart control has become a key requirement for many projects — enabling users to easily operate these solar lights directly from a computer.

1. Overview of Key Manufacturers

Currently, leading smart controller providers include Hangzhou Fonda, Xiamen Zhilianxintong, and Shunzhou. These companies offer complete closed-loop systems, with each developing its own Zhaga control node and proprietary software platform.

Existing Challenges:

· Hardware and software from different manufacturers are not compatible with each other.

· Irregular platform upgrades increase maintenance costs

· Complex systems require time-consuming learning for end users

Advantages:

· Comprehensive system status monitoring (e.g., battery voltage, solar panel voltage, energy generation/consumption, battery protection voltage)

· Continuous platform iteration for improved user experience

2. Compatibility Issues

The main issue lies in the fact that these systems are not compatible with existing 220V grid-powered street light control systems that already use the Zhaga/D4i protocol. This creates a significant barrier for hybrid energy projects that combine solar and grid power.

3. Case Study

Taking a city in the Middle East as an example, the city is currently constructing a new 20-kilometer road and plans to install 5,000 sets of smart solar street lights. At present, the city manages a total of 470,000 street lights, including 320,000 standard LED lights, 80,000 smart lights that support the Zhaga/D4i protocol, and 70,000 traditional lights such as metal halide and halogen lamps.

Although the government prefers intelligent solar lighting, selecting closed-loop systems from vendors like Fonda, Shunzhou, or Zhilian would force the client to adopt an entirely new management platform. This is difficult for the end client (government) , who is already using a robust, secure, and stable platform—likely developed by a well-known Western supplier—for managing their 220V street lighting. Given the project’s public infrastructure nature, the government is especially sensitive about data control and system maintainability.

4. Recommended Solution

Auroras has launched a new generation of solar street light controllers that are compatible with any Zhaga control head that complies with the standard D4i protocol. Its core advantage lies in allowing users to freely select any D4i-compliant Zhaga controller, without the need for additional platform deployment. Both solar-powered and 220V grid-powered street lights can be integrated into the same control platform for unified management.

5. Technical Limitations

Since the D4i protocol was originally developed for 220V LED fixtures, it currently lacks standardized data point definitions for solar applications, such as battery voltage, energy generation, and consumption. As a result, only general parameters (such as power, dimming, voltage, luminaire temperature, switch status) can be monitored and controlled at this stage.

Conclusion

● Trend

Zhaga/D4i-compatible solar street lights are poised to become a key component of futrre smart lighting systems.

● Industry Gap

Current mainstream solutions are closed and lack interoperability, leading to increased maintenance burdens for clients.

● Our Advantage

Auroras’ solution is compatible with and unifies the management of both grid-powered and solar lighting systems, greatly reducing deployment costs.

● Industry Call

Promote the expansion of the D4i protocol to include standardized data points specific to the solar lighting field, removing obstacles for future development.

● Industry Impact

The launch of this product is highly likely to cause a certain scale of impact on the manufacturers currently providing solar smart control solutions (as mentioned above).

Author: Mr. Wayne Tseng

Date: June 24, 2025