Solar Illuminated Signs vs. LED Screens: Which One Is Right for Your Business?
- March 31st, 2025
Advertising is an essential component of any business, from restaurants and cafés to banks, lawyers and doctors. In order to attract customers, you need to make sure your company stands out from the crowd of others in your niche.
There are so many types of signs out there for you to choose from, but today we’re going to compare two that are loved for use outdoors–solar illuminated signs and LED screens. Both have unique characteristics that make them more suitable for some brands than others, and this blog has been designed to help you choose the right one for your business.
Here’s what you need to know!
Solar Illuminated Signs
Solar signs are powered by solar panels and have many different outdoor commercial applications that make them super handy for businesses. But are they right for you? Let’s find out!
The Benefits of Solar Signs for Your Business
Here are some of the reasons we love using solar-illuminated signs for businesses!
Easy to Install Anywhere Outdoors
If there is a sunny spot near your business, chances are it can act as the site for your solar powered business sign. Whether it’s on the roof, an outer wall or even your nature strip, solar signs can function well as long as they have access to a few hours of sunlight every day to charge their batteries.
Another wonderful feature of solar signs is that they’re a lot easier to install than other types of signage. You won’t need to dig up your landscape or spend hours with tricky wiring–simply bolt the sign and panel(s) in place, and it’s practically ready to go! In fact, given that they run off only 12 or 24 volts, solar signs are safe enough to install on your own, without help from a professional electrician.
Eco-Friendly and Easy to Maintain
Solar power is one of the most reliable renewable energy sources in Australia, and works by absorbing energy into PV (photovoltaic) panels, which are converted into thermal or electrical energy that powers the sign.
This solar energy is considered ‘clear’ because no greenhouse gases or other nasty byproducts are generated by it. Many customers appreciate eco-friendly efforts to run businesses, and yours will probably help inspire them to shop with you over a competitor!
Solar signs are also nice and easy to maintain. Dirt or grime that accumulates on the panels can be washed off with a quick hosing, and the batteries will only need to be changed every three to five years on average.
Stronger for the Future
Solar signs are a great choice for businesses looking to their futures, and not just because of the environmentally friendly reasons! As advancements in solar technology continue, you can count on this energy source to become better and better in the future.
Solar signs are becoming more effective and more affordable due to the following:
- Government rebates that are offered to businesses to install solar panels. These rebates will sometimes offset the total cost of installing the panel itself!
- Battery types are evolving to become more efficient and able to store more power for longer periods of time.
- Modern sensors monitor the solar panels and make sure they are operating at peak capacity.
To find out more about the benefits of solar signs, please read our blog on ‘8 Reasons You Should Switch to Solar Illuminated Signs’.
Potential Drawbacks of Solar Signs
While solar signs have many benefits, they aren’t always suitable for every type of business.
Power Relies on Sunlight
As you can probably guess, solar panels need a consistent supply of sunlight to power signs attached to them and fill their batteries. If it is a particularly cloudy day, or if your panel becomes partially obstructed and is hidden in shade, then you’ll find the supply of power you need for your sign isn’t very reliable.
To prevent this, make sure to thoroughly observe the area you are thinking of installing the panels for your sign to make sure they aren’t moved into the shade as the day progresses due to trees or other buildings. Solar panels can still generate energy when it is cloudy but it won‘t be nearly as much, so make sure they are positioned in a way where they’ll catch as much sunlight as possible.
Space is Required to Install the Panel(s)
Whether your sign is standing on its own on a street or is attached to a building, you’ll need to make sure there is enough space for the solar panel to sit comfortably. This is less of a problem for solar signs on streets (like those for changing speed limits), but for businesses that intend to install solar-illuminated signs on their walls, finding space for the accompanying panel may be an issue.
LED Screens
Want your business to benefit from changing, engaging and attention-grabbing signage? Look into LED signs! Melbourne businesses love them for their bright colours and clarity.
The Benefits of LED Businesses Signs
Let’s dive into some of the amazing things about LED screens.
Customisable Display for Constant Updates
Have you noticed an error on a printed sign, or perhaps you’ve come across one that has information that is no longer current? The whole sign will need to be edited or replaced, which can take time, money and a whole bit of effort.
With the right setup, LED business signs are very easy to update. Whether there’s a spelling mistake you need to correct, a new ad you want to run or a sale you want to advertise for a specific amount of time, making it happen with an LED screen is easy.
You can even use them to showcase how-to videos or product walkthroughs to help customers make more informed decisions about their purchases!
Extremely Bright and Colourful to Grab Attention
In a world of constant advertising, making sure yours stands out is important if you want your business to thrive. Light, colour and visuals are key ways to do this, and luckily for savvy business owners, LED screens offer all of these qualities!
One of the hallmarks of a quality LED screen is its bright colours and clear graphics. 4K HD is appreciated by many, and when used in advertising for your business, it showcases that you care about delivering high-quality imagery and video to potential customers.
Whether you want to advertise using a graphic, a video, text, or an image, you can make it happen using an LED sign.
Energy-Efficient and Easy to Maintain
LED lights are some of the most energy-efficient on the market, far surpassing filament bulbs in almost every way. They won’t dim and can run for anywhere between 50,000 to 100,000 hours–that’s between five and eleven years, all while not consuming very much energy!
Most LED screens used for advertising will be designed to be weather-resistant and can stand up to rain and sun without fading, cracking or trapping moisture. And if they become dirty, a quick wipe-down with water mixed with mild detergent will get the job done.
Potential Drawbacks of LED Businesses Signs
LED Screens have many good qualities, but it’s important to keep the following points in mind if you are considering them for your business.
Resolution and Pixel Pitch Can Alter Clarity
LED screens are made up of thousands of tiny LED lights that can change colour to depict larger images and videos as a whole. You’ll need to make sure the size, resolution and pixel pitch (the space between the LED lights) is right for the distance and angle that customers will be viewing your advert from.
- Size: You’ll want a screen that is large enough to be seen from far away, but not too large that it will overwhelm the space and distract from other important things around it.
- Resolution: The number of pixels on the screen will affect the clarity of your visual but also the price! Full HD is a minimum for businesses, but you may like to consider 4K or even 8K for very detailed text or graphics.
- Pixel Pitch: A smaller pixel pitch means that the LEDs are packed together, resulting in a crisper image that is ideal for signs being viewed close up. A larger pixel pitch will result in a sign that is blurry from close up but comes together nicely from far away.
Installation Can Be Tricky
Unlike solar signs, LED Screens require a bit of finesse and know-how to install, and it should always be done by a qualified tradesperson like an electrician. Plus, you can’t just whack them in anywhere–you’ll need a spot that is the right size and has enough ventilation space for the screen to function safely.
LED Signs will require a reliable power source and a strong data connection that will allow you to control what is shown on them at all times. This can involve some coordination between IT specialists and electricians during the planning and installation processes.
For outdoor business signage installations, you’ll also need to make sure they are appropriately weatherproofed so they can resist wind, hail, rain and sun without damage.
If you’re looking for LED screens in Melbourne, Swift Signs is here to help! Our LED Screens are bright, customisable and perfect for businesses wanting to stand out.
Discover Quality Indoor and Outdoor Business Signage at Swift Signs
When you want signage for your business that makes an impact, solar signs and LED screens are two great ways to really grab the attention of potential customers. And at Swift Signs, we’re delighted to offer both of these types of signs, plus many more, for businesses to choose from!
To find out more about how we can help grow your brand through quality business signs, call us on +61 3 9357 8299 or leave us a message using our online contact form.