Solar lights
The use of solar power to illuminate outdoor areas has become very popular in recent years. Solar lights have vastly improved over earlier models, and are now more reliable and affordable. The range of styles has also increased to match those available for conventional outdoor lighting. Solar lights have many advantages, such as being easier to install and cheaper to run, but they do have a few problems, such as an increased risk of theft. However, these problems are insignificant when compared to the advantages of solar lighting.The classic outdoor solar light is a small lamp mounted on a spike which is pushed into the ground. These can be bought for between ten and twenty dollars each, and provide adequate lighting for driveways and paths. Traditional coach lanterns are more expensive but still a popular choice for doorways and patios. There are spotlights that highlight garden features, such as fountains and sculptures, and even decorative figurines which have small spotlights in them. For ponds and swimming pools, floating solar lights are available which dramatically illuminate the water below them. All these lights come in a range of colors as well, so boring white light is no longer the only choice.
Solar lights work by using the solar panel mounted on the case to charge the internal battery during the day, so that it can power the light at night. A few hours of sunlight is all that is needed to keep the light going throughout the night, and even the reduced sunlight on an overcast day is enough to fully charge the battery. The lights use a sensor to turn themselves on and off according to the amount of ambient light, and some floodlight models even have motion sensors.
Outdoor solar lights have many advantages over convention lights. They does not use external wiring so there is no need to dig up the ground to install them. Solar lights can be easily moved to create new lighting effects, or put into storage for the winter months. They do not cost anything to run since all the energy is provided free by the sun. Their LED globes do not get hot, unlike conventional globes which can burn a person or animal if they brush against one. The new super-bright LED globes are as bright as halogens, and they come in many different colors. The LED globes do not burn out like other globes but gradually decrease in brightness over many years, and by replacing the cheap battery every few years solar lights can be made to last a long time.
Perhaps the greatest problem with outdoor solar lights is the risk of theft. Most solar lights are portable and do not need external wiring, so they are easily moved from one place to another. However, the lights are now so affordable that theft is uncommon, and they are cheap to replace if they are stolen or damaged. Their other minor problem is the dust that builds up on the solar panel and light detector, which needs to to be wiped off occasionally for them to operate normally. The battery may need to be replaced every few years but again, this is a minor problem as the battery is cheap and easy to change.
Outdoor solar lighting can be found in many homes and gardens, and is also a popular choice for businesses and local governments looking to save money on installation and operating costs. Large solar streetlights are increasingly being using for walkways, carparks, playgrounds, and other public spaces. Their use will only increase over the coming years as battery life improves, and the efficiency of LED lights and solar panels also improves.
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Related information
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- Solar batteries A solar battery bank can contain many large capacity batteries which can cost more than the solar panels used to charge them.
- Solar car battery charger A solar car battery charger includes a solar panel and wires connecting it to the battery. A regulator controls the charging process.
- Solar fountain A solar fountain makes a good alternative to a conventional fountain. A fountain kits include a pump, solar panel, piping and wiring.
- Solar landscape lighting Examples of solar landscape lighting use include illuminating gardens, outdoor grottos, flower beds, walkways, and patios.
- Solar lantern A solar lantern is a light that uses solar cells to recharge its battery. It includes a case, battery, lamp, and solar cells.
- Solar power generator Solar power generators harness and convert solar energy into electrical energy for powering from lights to electrical equipment.
- Solar power system Grid-tie solar power systems are connected into the electric power grid. Stand alone solar power systems are self-contained systems.
- Solar shingles Solar shingles are small solar panels made to look like regular roofing shingles. They are made from flexible thin-film solar cells.
- Solar ventilators Ventilators are a must for every home to keep it cool and clean. Solar ventilators help to circulate air throughout the house.
- Thin film solar panels Thin-film solar panels are a substantial improvement over the first generation, which use thick wafers of crystalline silicon.
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