Solar Lighting

The Different Types Of Solar Lights Available

Solar Garden Lights have become immensely popular in the last few years. Because of that popularity, many manufacturers are ramping up their product lines to take advantage. While early solar lights were poorly made, today’s versions rival low voltage lighting in light output. They will also stay lit much longer, after being in the sun the same amount of time. Solar lights cannot be beaten for convenience; no longer do you need access to electricity, only sunshine. The types of lights available include decorative string lights, spot lights, flood lights, and, of course, path lighting.

Solar Path Lights
The type of lights that are used to illuminate a path or walkway are by far the most popular category of solar lights. They typically are designed to be stuck directly in the ground. They will have a small solar panel on the top and one or more rechargeable batteries inside. Pathway lights come in numerous styles, so you are sure to find one that will match your garden lighting design. The lights are 12-18 inches off the ground and have a top designed to spread the light down and in a 360 degree circle. This keeps the light out of your eyes so that you are not blinded as you are walking.

Solar Flood and Spot Lights
Flood and spot lights are functional lights. They provide bright illumination where needed for swimming and food preparation areas. In some cases you can find these types of lights that are also decorative, for the most part, they will be basic fixtures with the solar panel either attached directly to it, or by a wire so that the solar panel can be placed in a sunnier spot than the lights. Solar spot lights are available that can be stuck in the ground, much like pathway lights, but directed at a tree, a fountain, or other garden structure to highlight it. Solar flood lights will produce a wider cone of light and can be used any place you would normally use a flood light that runs on household current.

Decorative Solar Garden Lights
You can find a dragonfly on a garden stake that will light up at night. Colored glass balls that seem to glow from within. A garden fairy with a lighted crystal ball. LED solar lights that change color have revolutionized the garden lighting industry. Whimsical lights that add color and visual appeal can be purchased for very little money and placed anywhere that gets a decent amount of sun every day. Gazing balls that used to be a focal point only in the daylight now light up your night garden. You can add these to your patio or in unexpected places around your garden to surprise and delight your visitors. If you haven’t shopped for decorative solar lights lately, expect to be pleasantly surprised at what you find when you start looking.

Solar String Lights
This type of solar lighting is rapidly becoming a best seller. String lights are also known as Patio Lights. They look like strings of Christmas lights with bulbs are spaced a foot or so apart, except that these bulbs are covered by decorative globes or covers. They can be plastic, glass or paper. You can find string lights in hundreds of themes. Pink flamingos are popular, as are red hot chili peppers. There is a string light dedicated to almost every sports team and holiday. They can be hung around your awning or porch roof, or strung through lower tree branches. They are powered by a solar panel attached to one end of the string and inexpensive enough that you can have a set for every season.

Floating Solar Light

Floating Solar Light - click for more info

Floating Solar Lights
One of the newest ways to use solar lights is on a pond or pool. You can find floating solar lights in single colors or ones that change colors. They will have a solar panel in the middle of a light fixture and a waterproof housing. They float around all day, soaking up the sun’s energy, then come on automatically when it gets dark. Whether you are in the pool with them, or nearby in a relaxing chair, you will swear that your own backyard has turned into a tropical paradise.

Go Green With Solar Garden Lights
As the demand grows for “green” products, more and more companies will begin to offer solar garden lights. This is one of those situations that is good for everyone. The companies that make them will benefit, of course, but so will the environment, because we won’t be using our fossil fuels for a purely decorative reason. However, the homeowner will be the one to reap the most benefits of all: better products as technology increases, plus a larger selection as competition increases. Another way the homeowner benefits is by installing their solar lights themselves, since there is no electrical work involved, but perhaps the biggest benefit of all comes every month when the electric bill arrives and there is no increase that can be attributed to your garden lighting.

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The Advantages Of Solar Lights For Your Garden Lighting

Solar lights have become much more popular in the last few years. They used to have a reputation as cheap, plastic pieces of junk that didn’t put out much light. Newer technologies in solar cells have increased not only the length of time that they burn, but also the wattage of the bulbs they can power, resulting in light outputs that can match the traditional low-voltage versions.

Longer Lasting And More Powerful Lights

If an area gets several hours of sun each day, it is a candidate for solar lights. Although it varies by the wattage of your bulbs and by your energy storage capacity, 5-7 hours of sun per day should power your lights most of the night. Most companies will make this information available to you either on their packaging or their web sites.

They Don’t Have To Be Located Near An Electrical Outlet

Not having to run wiring for traditional outdoor lighting gives you much more freedom in choosing where to place your lights. You can put them in remote corners that would be difficult to light otherwise. If you have a few acres, the money that you save by not having to buy huge amounts of wire, and the larger transformers necessary for longer runs, will pay for several more light fixtures.

You Can Do It Yourself Without Danger

Solar Security Light

Solar Security Light

With low–voltage landscape lighting, you either have to hire an electrician, or be willing, and able, to make the electrical connections yourself. For some people, this isn’t a problem; they’ll jump right in and learn the wiring aspect without a second thought. Others would never dream of playing with electricity. This isn’t a consideration with solar garden lights. The majority of the lights are a single piece that you either push in the ground or mount on a wall or post. Some of the more sophisticated lights will have a solar cell that is separate from the light itself, but attached by a wire. Even these will come pre-wired and it is just a matter of mounting both pieces.

Solar Lights Are Better For The Environment And Your Wallet

Solar lights will not increase your monthly electric bill. For some, this is the best reason for choosing solar outdoor lighting. Although low-voltage lights don’t use a large amount of electricity, they do use some, and that ultimately shows up on your monthly bill. When you choose solar lights, you are choosing to use a free, renewable, natural resource that helps reduce your overall carbon footprint.

Solar lighting may very well be the easiest way to enhance your landscape, your wallet and your environment all at the same time.

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