A solar-only lighting trailer removes diesel entirely from night-time lighting: no fuel deliveries, no refuelling downtime, no genset noise complaints from neighbours or site supervisors. The VTS6P-L carries 6 x 435 W panels and up to 19.2 kWh of battery storage to run 4 x 250 W LED floodlights, and it sits between the smaller VTS3P-L and the 8-panel VTS8P-L in AB-iPower’s lighting trailer range.
Why solar-only makes sense for a lighting rental fleet
For a rental fleet, every unit that leaves the yard without a fuel tank is one less unit that needs a driver visit mid-hire. Diesel light towers need periodic refuelling, oil changes and exhaust servicing; a solar-only trailer like the VTS6P-L carries none of that maintenance load, because there is no combustion engine on board. That shifts the calculation for fleet managers away from “which unit is cheapest to buy” and toward “which unit costs the least to keep running over a 3-5 year hire life.”
A fleet of solar lighting trailers staged for shipment at the AB-iPower factory.
Sites also increasingly restrict genset noise and emissions - residential-adjacent construction, night events, and some council-controlled works all favour equipment that runs silently. A solar trailer with no engine has effectively zero noise output from the power system itself, which removes a whole category of site complaints and compliance paperwork that diesel light towers can generate.
VTS6P-L at a glance
The VTS6P-L’s core specification, from the datasheet:
- Solar panels: 6 x 435 W (standard), alternative 4 x 450 W configuration available
- Battery: AGM options at 10.8 / 14.4 / 19.2 kWh (DC 12 V), or lithium at 11 / 16.56 kWh (DC 24 V)
- LED floodlights: 4 x 250 W standard configuration (also available as 4, 6 or 8 lights at 60/100/200/250 W), 180 lm/W efficacy, IP65
- Mast: 6-9 m (20-30 ft), manual, electric or hydraulic
- Wind rating: 100 km/h
- Weight: 1,800 kg (all equipment)
- Container loading: 2 units per 20 ft, 5 units per 40 ft
- Warranty: 2 years
Optional extras include CCTV cameras, a communication system, an AC charger and a 3 kW gas or diesel backup generator for fleets that want a fallback for exceptionally low-sun stretches.
VTS6P-L vs VTS3P-L vs VTS8P-L vs VP3K: choosing the right trailer
The four lighting products in the range are built for different jobs. The table below uses only the figures published for each model.
| Model | Solar panels | Max battery | LED config | Mast height | Weight | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VTS3P-L | 3 x 435 W | 16.56 kWh (lithium) | 4/6/8 x up to 250 W | 6-9 m | 1,300 kg | None (optional 3 kW backup) |
| VTS6P-L | 6 x 435 W | 19.2 kWh (AGM) | 4/6/8 x up to 250 W | 6-9 m | 1,800 kg | None (optional 3 kW backup) |
| VTS8P-L | 8 x 450 W | 19.2 kWh (AGM) | 4/6/8 x up to 250 W | 6-9 m | 2,000 kg | None (optional 3 kW backup) |
| VP3K | None (hybrid) | 5 kWh LiFePO4 | 4 x 250 W (170,000 lm) | 8 m | 750 kg | Kubota diesel, 0.3 L/h |
The smaller VTS3P-L, sharing the same LED lighting hardware and mast range as the VTS6P-L but with a lower solar array.
The practical distinction is array size and battery ceiling. More panels mean faster daily recharge and more headroom on overcast weeks; more battery capacity means more nights of autonomy if solar input drops. Weight climbs with panel count too, which affects towing vehicle rating and container loading counts when shipping multiple trailers for export.
Sizing the battery to the load: a worked example
Autonomy calculations for a solar trailer depend on three things: the load, the battery capacity that is actually usable, and daily solar harvest. None of these are fixed numbers - they depend on how many lights are run and for how long, on how deeply the battery chemistry can be cycled, and on the site’s actual sun hours. Here is a simplified worked example with the assumptions stated explicitly.
Assumptions (confirm for each project before quoting):
- Load: 4 x 250 W LED floodlights = 1,000 W continuous draw
- Usable capacity: AGM cells are normally cycled less deeply than lithium cells to protect their service life, so for illustration we use 50% usable capacity on the AGM pack and 80% usable (depth of discharge, or DoD) on the lithium pack. Neither percentage is a published VTS6P-L figure - treat both as planning assumptions and confirm the exact number for the battery chemistry quoted.
- Solar array: 6 x 435 W = 2,610 W nameplate
With the 19.2 kWh AGM configuration and a 50% usable assumption, available energy is roughly 9.6 kWh - about 9.6 hours of continuous 1,000 W lighting from a full charge with zero solar input. Step up to the 16.56 kWh lithium pack at an 80% usable assumption and available energy is roughly 13.2 kWh, or about 13 hours under the same load. Both figures already cover a full night shift in most climates, before the panels add anything back the next morning. Actual runtime shifts with the number of lights run, dimming settings and ambient temperature, so treat this as a starting point rather than a guaranteed number. Ask for the current datasheet or a written spec confirmation with your quote for exact continuous-discharge figures.
Fuel-free, noise-free operation: what it removes from fleet operations
A diesel light tower needs a fuel run, a log of hours for oil changes, and a driver who can reach the site to refuel it mid-hire. None of that applies to the VTS6P-L. For comparison, AB-iPower’s hybrid VP3K light tower - which does carry a Kubota diesel engine as backup to its 5 kWh battery - consumes 0.3 L/h when the engine is running and produces 67 dB(A) at 7 m. Over a long stationary deployment those liters add up, and refuelling access becomes a real logistics line item for remote or hard-to-reach sites.
The VP3K hybrid light tower combines a Kubota diesel engine with a 5 kWh LiFePO4 battery, for sites where a solar-only unit is not enough.
The VTS6P-L has none of this fuel logistics: the diesel line item, the hour-meter service reminders and the noise complaints from adjacent residential or commercial neighbours simply don’t apply. What it does need is enough solar exposure across the hire period, and a battery bank sized correctly for the darkest stretch expected on site - which is why the sizing exercise above matters more for a solar-only unit than for a hybrid one.
Where a hybrid or a larger array still makes more sense
Solar-only isn’t the right answer for every job. Sites with heavy tree cover, extended overcast weather, or a requirement to run lights 24/7 without any solar recovery window are better served by a hybrid unit like the VP3K, where the diesel engine fires up only when stored charge runs low and fuel consumption stays low (0.3 L/h) rather than running continuously.
For larger illuminated areas, the VTS8P-L steps up the array to 8 x 450 W panels, at the cost of more weight (2,000 kg) and one fewer unit per 40 ft container (4 units versus 5 for the VTS6P-L). Both trailers share the same optional external power output for small equipment, so that feature on its own isn’t a reason to pick one over the other.
For fleets standardising on one mid-size solar unit that balances battery capacity, array size and towing weight, the VTS6P-L is the middle option in the range, and the VTS3P-L remains the lighter, lower-cost entry point where a smaller array and battery are enough.
Deployment and logistics notes for fleet operators
The VTS6P-L tows on a 2 in ball or 70 mm ring hitch, sits on 15 in tires, and deploys on 4 manual outriggers rated for winds up to 100 km/h with the mast extended. Working temperature range is -35 degC to +60 degC, which covers most Australian and US site conditions from alpine winter to desert summer. Two units load per 20 ft container, or 5 per 40 ft container, a figure that matters when fleets are importing several units in a single shipment. The 2-year warranty applies as standard.
For mixed fleets serving rental fleet, construction and mining customers, the choice between VTS3P-L, VTS6P-L, VTS8P-L and VP3K usually comes down to expected sun hours on site, how many nights of autonomy are needed without recharge, and whether the job also calls for CCTV or an external power tap. If fuel cost tracking is part of your fleet’s decision process, our fuel savings calculator gives a quick side-by-side on fuel cost between a solar-only trailer and a diesel light tower across a full hire cycle.
Getting a quote
AB-iPower ships the VTS6P-L and the rest of the lighting trailer range factory-direct from Chongqing to fleets worldwide, including Australia and the United States, with OEM/ODM configuration available for fleet-specific battery, LED and mast options. To confirm exact lead times, container loading for your order size, and the battery sizing assumptions above, request a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Does the VTS6P-L need diesel or gas to run?
No. The VTS6P-L is a solar-only trailer: 6 x 435 W panels charge the battery bank and there is no engine fitted as standard. An optional 3 kW gas or diesel backup generator can be added for sites with extended low-sun periods, but it is not required for normal operation.
What's the practical difference between the VTS6P-L and the VTS3P-L?
The VTS6P-L uses 6 x 435 W panels against 3 x 435 W on the VTS3P-L, and its AGM battery option goes up to 19.2 kWh versus 16.56 kWh (lithium) on the VTS3P-L. The VTS6P-L is also heavier at 1,800 kg versus 1,300 kg. Both share the same LED lighting hardware and 6-9 m mast.
How tall does the mast extend and what wind rating does it have?
The mast extends to 6-9 m (20-30 ft) and is available in manual, electric or hydraulic versions. The trailer is rated for winds up to 100 km/h when properly stabilized on its four manual outriggers.
Can the VTS6P-L carry CCTV cameras?
Yes, CCTV cameras and a communication system are listed as optional additions on the VTS6P-L, useful for rental fleets that also want site security alongside lighting.
