The good thing about outdoor solar lights is that no wiring is involved

With low voltage landscape lighting, wires need to run from the lights to a main power source in order to function. Even though the voltage level is very low and relatively safe wires must be concealed and secured. Solar lighting is powered entirely by sunlight. That means no wires!
With outdoor solar lights, each light contains a specifically designed solar panel which gathers energy during the day and stores it up in rechargeable batteries. That stored energy powers the lights at night. This means they are perfect for solar security lighting or just any other application that you can think of.

The best places to install outdoor solar lights are the darkened areas of your walkway or steps

It is nice to see where you’re walking at night. Solar powered lights can easily illuminate the entrance of your driveway or simply decorate your wood deck or landscape. They can also highlight and bring attention to a particularly appealing architectural feature of your home.

You can install solar shed lights to extend the use of any outbuildings you may have. You can even light up your backyard BBQ area with solar patio lights. Whichever purpose you choose, one of the big advantages of using solar outdoor lighting is that you don’t have to worry about running cables or wiring of any kind. You simply install the light itself by pushing it into the ground in the location you desire and let the sun do the rest! Just make sure that each light is in a location where it gets an adequate amount of sunlight during the day to properly charge the batteries.

Most good solar lights are able to last up to 8-10 hours on a fully charged set of batteries.
One thing you should know before you choose outdoor solar lights is that the light produced is not always as bright as other forms of outdoor landscape lighting.

Whether or not you consider this a disadvantage will probably depend on your individual taste. Many prefer the soft, more subtle light that these fixtures put out and feel it actually helps set the mood better than incandescent lighting. There are a lot more choices in color tones as well. LED technology can create almost any tone or color. With these choices come the freedom to explore more and more front and backyard landscape ideas.

Another benefit worth mentioning is that solar lights require almost no maintenance

If a light fails, you simply replace the batteries. If it still doesn’t work, in most cases, you just replace it. Individual lights are becoming less and less expensive, and can be found at most home improvement stores.

So as you can see, a solar outdoor lighting system is quick and easy to install. It adds mood and character to your home at night, is easy to maintain, inexpensive to buy, and cost virtually nothing to run. Like all things solar, solar lights are also good for our environment.

Understanding solar powered LED lights

LED is an abbreviation for Light Emitting Diode. The LED lights that illuminate the fixture are numerous tiny light bulbs installed in rows and that are attached to an electrical circuit. The light that is produced by these minute bulbs is the product of electrons moving through a semi-conductor, drawing its energy from the sunlight, which in turn eliminates the need for a filament, as halogen bulbs require. This results in a long lasting, maintenance free and resourceful way to light an outdoor area. The eco friendly factor in using LED advances in lighting is the incredible efficiency these fixtures produce as compared to previous traditions in solar lighting.  LED solar lights utilize less than 0.1 watts of energy to function and will last up to 100,000 hours, which is a lot compared to an incandescent bulbs life expectancy of only 1 to 3,000 hours, and do so while emitting hardly any heat.

The benefits of utilizing LED in solar lights

The advantages of LED solar lighting are many, but one of the most obvious and attractive benefits is cost savings.  LED lights are extremely efficient and after the initial purchase, will cost nothing to operate. Because of such advances in technology, the initial purchase price of most solar powered lights are feasible and an economical upfront expenditure for most homeowners or business operators.

LED is the green, eco friendly option for those that wish to use renewable resources and hope to eliminate emitting harmful fumes and gases into the atmosphere. Above all, utilizing LED solar lighting is convenient and reliable. A solitary, small panel can create enough charge for several path lights, which can optionally come on automatically at nightfall. The issue of wiring is not a factor, meaning solar powered LED lighting can be used practically anywhere you need to create illumination.  Most solar lights are DIY savvy, meaning there will be no cost for installation, making them an even more viable and affordable option for those looking to create lighting in a space.

The advances in modern LED solar lighting

The recent advances in modern solar lighting have dramatically increased the brightness of LED lighting, which will now compare easily to incandescent fixtures, as before, LEDs were efficient, but simply not bright enough for the preferences of many home or business owners. In addition, the once, what if the sun doesn’t shine today fear is no more, as advances have improved so that even on the cloudiest of days, LED solar power lights will still emit light at sundown.

Once a major downfall for LED solar lighting, modern technology has increased the vividness displayed by the fixtures, as now, manufactures increase the amount of bulbs in the fixtures, therefore increasing the light output and satisfying those once weary of the dimness of LEDs.  Another advancement includes the coloring that LED solar lighting gives off, which are measured by a Kelvin (K) rating, meaning many who once were not fanatical about the bluish, artificial tone the LEDs produced can now get the same, warm coloring that halogen bulbs create. The higher the Kelvin rating means the more bluish, and often undesirable the tones will be. As a measurable reference, 3000(K) is the halogen coloring many are used to being exposed to, such as inside a home.

Undoubtedly, the use of solar powered lighting is increasing due to the many advantages offered. Moreover, the utilization of solar powered LED lights is ever increasing as the many technological advancements make them more desirable now than ever before.

Solar powered flood lights, on the other hand, are extremely bright. They will provide plenty of light for any garden, yard or pool area in which they are installed. They are also suitable for lighting commercial signs, billboards, trees, monuments and other large objects or areas.

Some of the best solar flood lights

Pricing table with id of "solarfloodlights" is not defined.

If you are like most people, you are worried about the ever increasing costs of electricity as well as the effects of power generation on the environment.

In this difficult economic times no person or business has money to waste on expensive traditional power sources. Now there is a new way to provide bright, safe, affordable lighting for your home, office, or to your outdoor living spaces with solar flood lights! Now, I know what you may be thinking, when you hear the word solar you are thinking of the dull, barely glowing bulbs of the past that were unreliable, bulky eyesores.

Solar technology has come a long way since the 1970s! Science has made vast advances in solar energy technologies so that today it is possible to build highly efficient and reliable solar lighting units that are affordable, unobtrusive and attractive that you can count on, day or night, to provide all of your lighting needs! In fact, making the conversion to solar lights has a wide variety of applications that can reduce your power bills and solve all of your lighting needs cheaply and effectively, while protecting the environment! With the new solar powered flood lights that are now available, power generation, affordability and protecting the environment are no longer mutually exclusive terms!

In many ways these powerful solar flood lights are superior to conventional electric lighting

Think of how many times you have been trapped in the dark, unable to see, when the power has gone out due to failures on the part of your local power company? Whether you live in a conventional home or do business in a traditional office space, solar flood lights come with hundreds of ultra bright LEDs and can provide you with access to bright, dependable lighting in almost every situation. Be overjoyed as you begin to count how much money you can save by not having to pay the unending and ever-increasing power bill for lighting of your walkway, driveway, garage, garden, public space, walking trail, monuments, signs, indoor rooms and more! Think of how much safer you will feel knowing that thieves are instantly deterred from even trying to attempt to enter your home or business or deface public property when they are surrounded by the bright light that is emitted by solar security lights that are so tough and durable they resist tampering! Consider how you are no longer confined by the distance between your home or remote getaway and the utility pole. solar led flood lights means having the freedom to provide a bright secure source of lighting for your location no matter how urban or remote that location may be! Think of how good you will feel when you can do your part to promote clean energy generation with the free, renewable energy source that is solar power! These commercial solar flood lights are so powerful and dependable that they will set you free!

Solar pool lights are a must have

Take the time to choose the variety and colors of solar pool lights that fit your family, life, and style. Set them adrift in the water and turn on your favorite music. Bring out your refreshments, sit back, and enjoy the evening. The simple, affordable, and efficient solar pool lights are sure to make this time with family and friends a time to remember.

Set the stage for summer

There is nothing as calming, after a long hot day, than sitting by water that is dancing with soft glowing light. Many families spend hours each evening relaxing, enjoying, and swimming together by the glow in the water. Children, young and old, love the magical feel of a backyard lagoon that is alight. Shimmering waters are sure to be the silent source of many happy memories for families and friends.

Get creative with your floating solar lights

Available in many shapes, sizes, colors and designs, these floating luminaries can be as simple as a white dome, or as fun as colored butterflies and dragonflies. Let your creative side loose by mixing and matching a handful. Sit back and watch the water come alive. Allow the different colors to mix and mingle as they gently float across the water. Begin a race by placing the lights of choice at the shallow end of the pool and then jumping into the deep end. Honestly, whether you are sipping a cocktail poolside or doing a cannon ball to soak the crowd, your sun powered lighting will add that extra touch to make the moment even more special.

You get your money’s worth

Solar lights deliver a big financial reward as they decorate your pool and yard. The first benefit is that they simply do not cost that much. What little you do pay for the solar lights is quickly recovered, as the energy they use is free. Charged during the day by the energy of our sun, once you make your initial purchase, you never have to pay for these lights again.

No thought energy

Solar lights are one of life’s simplest pleasures. Once you toss them in the pool, you honestly do not need to think about them again. They spend their day’s becoming fully charged, and then at dusk begin to glow. There are no electrical cords to panic about around the water and no batteries to remember to change. They simply take care of themselves.

No matter what color solar lights you choose, they will always be “Green”

Earth friendliness is the latest buzz in the media and among marketing strategists today. Everyone is trying to capitalize on the hearts of the consumer who cares about the planet and its resources. Honestly, we all need to care. Our children’s children will be thankful we looked for new and improved ways to do the things we do each day. From recycling, public transportation, and alternative energy sources like wind and solar power, everything we do makes a “now and then” impact on our planet and our future. Solar Lights are a small way to make a big difference. Consider the benefit of not having used batteries to dispose of anymore. That alone makes a huge long-term impact. These atmosphere setting little lights do so much more than illuminate water, they help keep our planet healthy.

The likes of wind turbine power, hydro power, bio-fuel and a vast range of other possible energy sources have been in development for quite some time, however are not in common use. Energy produced from the likes of the Snowy Hydro scheme, or the massive wind turbine farms in Goulburn or Blayney play a small part in energy generation. However, for the most part many of us still rely on coal produced electricity to turn on our lights, heat our homes or cook our food.

Solar energy is a viable alternative

One energy source that is growing in use is solar panels, and you would be surprised at just how many areas of our everyday lives it can already be applied to — or is already in use.

1. Small items and gadgets

Think about it. How many times have you picked up a dual powered calculator? Ironically used a solar powered torch? Taken a solar shower camping? Solar power is all around us, and has been used for decades to power some of the small gadgets we use every day. Items like calculators use dual energy — solar and battery — so you can conserve the energy in the small battery for when it’s really needed, and for the most part, use solar energy to operate the device.

Traditionally camping is an activity that is undertaken off the grid away from energy sources and from other people. For years avid campers have relied on solar power and heat from fire to power conveniences they would otherwise leave at home. Everything from radios to showers, generators and fridges can rely on solar energy to make your camping experience more enjoyable. Think about it — you’ve probably relied on solar energy much more than you realize.

2. The pool

The backyard pool, and even the local community pool have been long-time users of solar energy. Retaining some warmth in water temperature can mean the difference between a three month swimming season in some areas, and a six month one. Cheaper options for using the sun without any high-tech tools simply involve a blanket over the pool in the evenings to reduce heat loss through the night. Nowadays, it is not uncommon to see solar panels near the pool that actively produce energy to actually warm the pool, as opposed to just retaining the sun’s natural heating of the water.

3. The car

It might be an odd thought, cars operating on the energy of the sun, but it has been a popular idea for years, and one that manufacturers are working on. While it is not common to see a solar car driving around, small solar functions are becoming more and more common, such as solar panels on the roof that are designed to produce energy that will cool down the car before you get in it. Imagine — using the sun to cool down your hot car!

4. Water

Solar heated water is increasingly common, especially in rural areas and in the likes of Canada. This form of heating not only reduces energy bills, but provides a constant service that is environmentally friendly.

5. The home

A more common idea, is the use of solar panels for your home, in place of, or to compliment electricity. The Australian government saw the value in this alternative and encouraged it through subsidies in installation costs, and despite a change in policy, the use of solar power is becoming an increasingly attractive option for households struggling with growing energy bills.

More details

Solar power is a broad spectrum energy solution for practically any domestic environment. It’s a built in cost saver, providing an endless source of energy. You can drastically reduce your power bills quickly and efficiently while doing your bit to save the environment.

Home power supplies only require so much energy. Solar power can generate just about all the power required for the average home. As a matter of fact, the economics of solar power have been improving exponentially as solar technology develops. Modern solar panels are far more efficient than they were 30 years ago, with greatly increased cost savings.

A domestic solar power system can actually make money, as well as saving it

One of the reasons that “selling power back to the grid” has become a virtually standard phrase related to solar energy is that solar energy systems are extremely efficient. It is quite common to run a modern home, even a “smart home” with many electronic systems and still have spare energy to sell to the grid.

When selecting your solar power system there are a few basic issues

• Budget – How much do you want to spend? Standard solar installations are clearly priced and there are often good deals available. It’s advisable to shop around to check out your pricing options.

• What you need – Have a look at your power bill, and check out your energy usage. It’s a good idea to base your power requirements on a figure somewhat above your peak energy usage. This allows you to calculate the solar power system you need allows for extra demand, bearing in mind that you can sell any excess back to the grid.

• Remote or off-grid power requirements – Do you have outside structures which require their own power supply? Solar power is ideal for these situations, providing a reliable, low maintenance power supply option even for remote rural buildings and business operations which may be expensive to connect to the power grid.

• Swimming pools – Heated swimming pools are wonderful things, but they can also put quite a strain on the domestic power system. It is now considered best practice in the swimming pool industry to use solar electricity as a good, cheap, cost-effective power system.

Shopping for solar power systems

By far the best approach to shopping for solar power systems is to shop around online first. The big advantage in this approach is that you can also check out the new systems coming onto the market, including new technological options and a range of new solar products. It’s worthwhile to get directly in touch with the solar power suppliers, and have a “meeting of the minds” about your specific requirements. You’ll find that the solar suppliers will be able to give you some very good options and also clear up any questions you may have about your solar needs.

Patio Lighting

Everybody has their own tastes regarding external lighting, and a large area like a patio really does involve making a few decisions about how you want the area to be lit. Most people don’t like really garish lights, and let’s face it, nobody likes the power bills much, either.

Good lighting also involves design, and as most people know only too well, working with wiring for external areas is very much an acquired taste. Few homeowners are overjoyed with the idea of putting live electrical fittings in areas where they might get wet or need servicing.

There’s a further complication in the fact that external lighting can be quite difficult to install in some places. Installation can involve quite literally taking apart parts of the house, which is both expensive and in some cases more trouble than it’s worth. There’s only so much the average human being is prepared to do to install a light globe.

Solar patio lights have turned out to be the ideal solution to all these issues

They’re cheap, efficient and they don’t need wiring. Typical solar lights provide subdued lighting around the external areas of the house, and the more powerful solar flood lights and solar spot lights can do the job where stronger lighting is required.

Solar lights are also a lot easier to work with in areas with complex designs. If you have a patio which includes a pergola, you may want a range of lighting effects to highlight the various external features. This is a lifestyle choice, and fortunately for consumers there’s a gigantic range of choices available in types and sizes of solar lights.

There’s no need to worry about style issues, either. Ever since solar light designers found out that you can put a solar light in practically any form of cover, everything from solar  garden gnomes to solar light fish have been coming on the market regularly.

There’s a further advantage in solar lights which rarely gets a mention

Solar patio lights are very easy to manage, and because they’re not actually fittings it’s very easy to get repair work done if necessary. Most of the smaller lights can simply be replaced, without fuss. The bigger lights are all portable and in most cases all that ever needs to happen is to simply change a globe and perhaps the odd wiring replacement once in a blue moon.

Solar patio lights are so popular and so useful that they’re actively replacing many of the old external lighting systems.

They’re certainly far more cost-effective, and generally pay for themselves in power savings within the first year. If you’re looking for great lighting for your patio, start with solar lights.

As you likely know, in recent years the importance of lessening our dependence on oil and other non-sustainable energy sources has become increasingly clear. And now with this very deep and stubborn recession that we are experiencing, most of us need to save money on energy costs more than ever before. One good, simple way to do this is to use solar lights. These are lights powered by solar energy. The lights store energy from sunlight during the day, and then come on at night. One of the most popular uses for these lights is to illuminate garden walkways.

A popular use of solar powered fairy lights is for outdoor Christmas displays

Many people use solar string lights and solar rope lights. These are individual bulbs strung together on a string or inside a tube, and resemble the traditional electric lights you would use on a Christmas tree. The number of bulbs on a string varies from less than fifty to two hundred or more.

You may think that outdoor solar lights are not a viable option if you live in a place where there is not constant sun, but this is not the case. Because these lights do not require as much energy as most devices that use electricity, they do not require exposure to many hours of direct sunlight. As with other simple devices that don’t require much power, such as solar powered watches and calculators, the light from an overcast sky is sufficient.

Solar lights are also not as expensive as you might think. For example, a set of ten lights used to line a garden walkway costs around $25. A string of 150 solar powered fairy lights costs around $50. While that latter price is somewhat higher than you are used to paying for traditional electric lights for your Christmas tree, you must keep in mind that in the long run you are saving money, since you don’t add to your electricity bill when you use them. The bulbs last for as many as a hundred thousand hours of illumination before needing to be replaced.

Solar lights are not directly powered by the sun. They are LED bulbs that are powered by rechargeable batteries. The batteries are within a solar control box. This box is what needs to be placed where it will receive as much light as possible, so the sunlight can recharge the batteries. The lights are connected to the box by a cable. One advantage of this indirect use of the sun’s energy is that you can use the lights in dark places indoors that never get much light. However, you would need to run a cable outside, so solar lights are mainly used outdoors.

The best way to get a good deal on solar powered fairy lights and other types of solar lights is to do some patient searching on the internet. Use a search engine such as Google or Bing, and use a variety of search terms. To find stores that specialize in solar products, use a phrase like “solar store”. If you want to find a brick and mortar store where you could see the lights in person before you purchase, add your city or region to the search phrase. However, the best prices almost always are found in Internet-only stores that ship the product to you.

When you do your searching, focus first on finding the lights that you like best. There is a large variety of shapes, colors, and sizes to choose from. Look at at least ten different models before making any decisions, and be sure to look for customer reviews of the specific lights you are considering. Then do a search for the particular makes and models you like the best, and add words like “price” or “lowest” to your search phrase to find the best price.

Using solar powered fairy lights is a great, economical way to start “going green”. Buy some today; you’ll be glad you did.

What I would like to do in this article is take a look at some of the ways they can effectively be used to enhance the look of your property from a lighting standpoint. I would also like to point out some of the differences between these and other types of solar lights (because there are a few) and look at some things that you are going to need to look out for so that you don’t become disappointed.

[awsmvid play=”0″ hide=”0″ skins=”17″ size=”2″ ]b1YX_Eqw9Sc[/awsmvid]

 What you need to know about solar spot lights

The first thing that you need to know about the difference between these and other types of solar garden lights is that while other types of garden lights create a glow around an entire area, spot lights are meant to do one thing – cast a focused beam of light on a specific target.  That sounds like a spot light, right?

What you need to think about here is that it takes a lot more energy to send a focused beam ten or twenty feet away than it does to cast a glow on a sidewalk. This energy has to come from somewhere. With solar spot lights, it either comes from not being as bright as you might like, or having bigger batteries and solar panels, or having shorter run times.

It is true that solar technology is getting more and more sophisticated, and that solar cells are becoming more efficient, but you are just not going to get 800 lumens for 12-14 hours out of a couple of small NiCad batteries. Before you buy, make sure you know where you are okay with sacrificing and get the appropriate fixture. Higher lumen lights will have a shorter run time, and vise versa.

Every time I think about LED solar spot lights, I think of three things

1. How cool flags on government buildings look when they are lit up with spot lights
2. How cool my plum tree looks at night
3. I really need to get a flag and some more spot lights

So yes, they are great for lighting trees; and they are pretty much the only way to light them, unless you want to wrap them in string lights (and if you do, use solar string lights please, we are staying green here!). They are obviously good for lighting flags too. There are actually a lot of ways to use them that are not often thought of.

Keep in mind that spot lights are a form of indirect lighting. This means that you can put them far away from the intended target and just point them. The closer they are to the target, the brighter the light.  The further away they are, the more faint. Try some of these ideas:

• Point them at your front porch from ground level so they light up your front steps.
• Point them at your deck from a high place fairly far away to cast a glow on your whole deck.
• Mount a few on the roof (or patio eve) and point them downward towards a pool or pond.
• Put one at the base of a tree and point it straight up.
• Do the same on a corner of your house.

There are tons of other options that work really well. What I suggest is to start with a couple of lights and experiment. Try them closer and further away. Try lighting from ground level and from above for different effects. Try using multiple lights pointing at the same target from multiple angles. You will find that, although solar spot lights do have their limitations as far as energy requirements, they more than make up for it with their versatility.

Just for the record, I do not really need my spotlights going at 4:30 in the morning, so I go with the brightest ones I can find and accept the fact that they may only run for six to eight hours. If I were using electric lights, I would be turning them off via a timer at midnight or so anyway.

Following is a list of facts and tips about LED solar lights

1. A solar light does not have a traditional light bulb. The solar light consists of a LED or Light Emitting Diode, which draw little power. Coupled with constantly recharging batteries, you will never run out of light!
2. Solar powered lights can drastically reduce the electric bill of a household. By replacing all lights in the garden with solar lighting, there is no need to plug into the electric system. Lights will automatically come on at dusk and off at sunrise ensuring the lights are activated only when needed.
3. They are good for protecting the earth. We all know that the earth is a ticking time bomb as the human population is using up energy sources fast. They take their energy from the sun, store it during daylight hours and then release it at night-time. This replaces the conventional method of using electricity to light our gardens.
4. LED solar lights are easily installed and maintained. Simply insert the battery, place the lights in your garden and watch as they set to work. No need for untidy wires or setting an alarm to remind you to switch the outside lights on.
5. Solar power lights come in every design that you could possibly wish for. If your garden is mainly used by children then you can find them in the shapes of animals, some designs project out different colored lights, other designs are neatly hidden among rose bushes or plants.
6. You can buy outdoor solar lights from a number of stockists. Surfing the internet will offer search results of a lot of manufacturers. Also be sure to visit your local garden center as they can recommend a reliable brand for you to use.

Don’t be put off by memories of the old style of solar post lights, with all kinds of innovative models on the market. Once you have set up and operated a set of LED solar lights in your own garden, you will be convinced of their utility and appeal – with the low prices of some of these units, you have nothing to lose by giving them a go today.

Outdoor solar lighting is not difficult to understand. Do not be intimidated by the technology. It is, after all, just energy generated by our friend the Sun. The rewards you will gain from your exterior solar lamps is amazing.

You will find the parts of solar lamps actually quite easy to deal with, after you know the basic parts of this lighting unit. The fixture includes a photovoltaic (PVC) panel, the LED lamp, and recharging batteries which store the energy.

On newer model products, the (PV) panels are being improved, creating more electricity per unit of panel surface. Batteries too are improving in electrical storage capacity and longevity.

Garden solar lights are easy for anyone to install, and have the additional attribute of serving multiple uses.

Here are some of the benefits of solar lights

Deck lighting – This is a relatively new product, so you may not be aware that solar units can be utilized on your backyard deck or patio. As the sun sets,  and the lights come on, they provide a festive and pleasant addition to the outdoor living area. They effectively increase your overall living space, without any addition to the electric bill.

Landscaping – Lighting around outdoor elements at night beautifies your yard. Features that would be otherwise invisible in the dark now provide lovely visual accents, thanks to your solar landscape lighting. What may be a tiny hidden fish pond by day becomes a gleaming focal point of your yard by night.

Path finding – Solar units are perfect along the sidewalk leading to the house. For example, taking a set of 12 Malibu solar lights, you can accent both sides of an average sidewalk. They also provide an exquisite addition along your driveway.

Deter criminals – Nobody likes to think about robbery or home invasion. Those who commit crimes desire to go unnoticed. Your solar lights will help make your yard visible to neighbors and law enforcement authorities. Bad guys won’t  want to break in to your house with all that great lighting around. The same may apply to neighborhood kids, who mean no harm, but who wouldn’t want to be seen walking  through your  well lit yard.

Real estate sale – Curb appeal is the first step in getting a buyer for your home. When the time comes to put your home on the market, your solar landscape lighting will assist you. Many prospective buyers come to see homes after work when it may already be dark. If the exterior of your home is nicely illuminated, the prospective buyer is more likely to enter your home, and will then be able to see all of your home’s attributes. A well thought out garden lighting design can really accentuate your landscape’s best features, which might go unnoticed when not illuminated. You can also use a solar sign light to promote the sale of your property.

As you can see, the benefits of solar lights make solar lighting a wonderful choice to your front yard, back yard, and outdoor living areas. It will draw attention to your house and garden’s best features. It will increase living space and provides convenience and security.

What are solar driveway lights and solar markers

As far as solar lighting is concerned, solar pathway lights are a fairly new species.  Their design was brought about by  advancements in solar technology that enabled a combination of three elements to combine to make a very small, yet very functional design:

More efficient solar panels – These allowed the small solar panels to create more energy out of less light, enabling them to actually collect more usable energy than older panels that were much larger.

Better storage capacity – With the incorporation of NiCad and Lithium batteries to hold the energy given to them by the panels, more energy can be stored in a much smaller battery, and the batteries never need to be replaced or serviced.

Better bulbs – Almost all solar lights now use LEDs.  LEDs (light emitting diodes) use energy more efficiently, because unlike incandescent, florescent, halogen, and other forms of bulbs, they transfer a much higher percentage of energy into light, rather than heat.  They also have a longer usable life than any other type of bulb.

The combination of these three factors create a light housing that is very compact and efficient, with a wide array of practical applications.  Lets explore some of them.

Most of us who have a home have some kind of driveway. Usually at night that driveway is pretty dark.  Until fairly recently, anyone wanting to have some form of solar lighting to mark and light their driveway would usually find some standard solar garden lights and stick them in the ground around the its edges. That is still an option, of course, if that happens to work with your layout, but the beauty of it is that you have other options. Most of these options are pretty straight forward.

Surface mounted driveway lights

These are probably the easiest solar driveway lights to install (with the exception of garden lights, of course). The best results with installing these is to take some measurements (say 6”-12” or so) from the edges of your driveway and snap a line on each side with a chalk line. That will give you 2 horizontal lines up the sides that are straight and evenly spaced from the edges. Then plan your layout. Start with one side. Make an “X” at the edge where the driveway meets the sidewalk, then a second mark however close you want the light to be to your garage or house or whatever marks the end of your driveway. Measure out the halfway point and make another mark there. If you need more than these three, you can separate the distance into thirds or whatever. Be careful, though, you don’t want your driveway to look like an airport landing strip!

Next, make the same marks on the other side to match the measurements on the first side. Stand back and look to make sure there were no mistakes and get ready to place your lights. The only thing left is to place the lights on the “X”s that you marked out and secure them. The ones that I bought were secured with epoxy. I just mixed the epoxy, place it on the bottom of the fixture and put it in place. The epoxy was hardened in about 5 minutes.

Flush mounted solar driveway lights

These models have their plusses and minuses. One advantage is that they look really nice. When they are properly installed, they look like they were born to be there. The top of the light is perfectly flush with the concrete (or asphalt) and looks really clean.

Another advantage is that although the surface mounted lights can be driven upon without damaging them, I still get nervous when I do. I can feel the light under my tire when I run over it and if I hit the edge of it, there is that slight popping sound that my tire makes. It just makes me nervous sometimes, although I have yet to have one break on me. You will not be able to feel it when you run over a flush mount.  There is no worry about breaking them or anything. You begin to think of them as part of the concrete.

One of the downsides is the installation. You need to either install these into a freshly poured driveway, or you have to grind or drill the concrete a bit to get them recessed, so they will be flushed. That’s not the easiest project for the typical do-it-yourselfer. Most people will want to have them professional installed, which raises the price tag a bit.

Another disadvantage is the way the light is diffused. With a surface mounted light, you point them so that it casts its glow on the ground, pointing towards the center of the driveway. Flush mounted lights have a tendency to emit an overall “glow” surrounding them. This might not be a problem for you (it may even be what you are looking for), but I wanted the light to be directional, which is the main reason I went with the surface mounted ones.

A really cool thing about solar driveway lights is that, even though they are meant to be used for driveways, they have other uses as well. I am actually planning to redo the concrete pad on my back patio this summer. When I do I plan to install some flush mounted driveway lights around the perimeter. I think the glow they emit will be a perfect accent to the solar yard lights I have back there now, as well as my other lights. See, just a little thinking outside the box and voila!

I hope this article was able to answer your questions. If you have more, please feel free to leave a comment below. Remember, we offer a great selection of solar driveway lights (among many other types) in our solar lights store.

Solar deck lights and deck lighting ideas

What better way to enjoy some time off than to go outside and onto your own deck?  There is only one problem, though: how are you going to see where you are going?  If you want to read something, how are you going to engage in such a pleasurable activity? You could purchase solar deck lights, items that are able to illuminate a person’s deck during the daytime hours or nighttime hours. Individuals who use their decks often, especially at night, are advised to think heavily about purchasing some solar lights in order to ignite their surroundings. Solar-powered deck lighting fixtures are a little different than normal lights, but they are also similar in ways, too. As an example, solar deck lights, like other types of lights, come in a plethora of styles, colors, and shapes. However, unlike other lights in which an individual usually has to get the same type of light for every area of the deck that needs one, solar lights can be arranged in such a way as to allow multiple colors, styles, and shapes, all of which add a unique feeling to the atmosphere. In addition, these types of lights are generally softer and more effective than other lights are. For example, if an individual has a garden right below his deck, he will probably be able to see it and the edges of his deck very clearly; these lights, while they do not stretch their illumination all over one’s yard, do have a tendency to reach farther than others deck lights do. Thus, these lights can add protection to anyone wishing to walk around his deck at night, since he does not have to worry about tripping and falling off of it or having any other accident occur. There are some clear benefits to owning solar powered deck lights, as noted by individuals who own them and professional contractors.  As with all solar-powered gadgets, once the sun strikes the lights (whether the deck light is a post light, recessed floor light, or step light), they will emanate a glow after sunset. Sun-powered lights tend to be cheaper than other kinds of lights; after an individual purchases a set of these lights, he technically should not have to pay another penny out of his pocket for anything dealing with them again, except the batteries. The first area in which he will notice his costs shrinking, though, is in his electricity bill, meaning that the light stays on at night, regardless of whether or not his meter is spinning.

Solar Post Caps

• The initial cost of the lights will vary, with most costing between $30.00 and $100.00.
• Some of the materials of which they are made include: wood, glass, plastic, vinyl, and steel.
• They can be purchased either online or at many types of appliance stores. It is generally recommended that if an individual wants to purchase a set online, he should check his local appliance store first and see the set in person before buying them off of a website. Also, read reviews and testimonials prior to purchasing them.
• The lights should be exposed to the sun for at least four or five hours if an individual is wishing to experience their full effects at night.
• During winter and cloudy days, the lights probably will not work too well. Thus, they are best during the summer months when the sun is out for most of the day.

Now, all you have to do is go to our solar lights store, and buy some solar deck lights to set your deck ablaze at night!

Some of garden solar lights benefits include

• Ease of installation – Installing solar lights in your garden usually takes only a few minutes, and requires few, if any, tools
• Lack of wires – Most models are completely wireless. Those that do have wires only have one wire leading from the light to the solar panel.
• No maintenance – Solar lights are set-and-forget technology. The LEDs are intended to last the life of the product. The most you will ever have to do is wipe the panels clean from time to time.
• Low cost – Although these fixtures are a little more expensive than more traditional garden lights, they cost absolutely nothing to run, so they pay for themselves.
• Aesthetically pleasing – Garden solar  lights are absolutely beautiful. They come in more styles and colors than you could possibly imagine. If you can’t find a solar lighting fixture that you like, you are just not looking.
• Eco-friendly – They use the power of the sun, which environmental experts agree is one of the fastest growing “green technologies” in the world.

There are, of course, many more advantages, but I think you get the idea. The fact is that there are so many different options out there, that it can be a little tough to figure out which ones are good and which are not. I personally love online solar lights stores because of the fact that you can find customer reviews and see the most popular garden solar lights that they sell.

Hopefully, this article has helped you to get started on your journey towards solar garden lighting Zen. Remember, you can also check out our Solar Lights Store for even more great solar garden lighting options.

Solar patio lighting shines at the darkest moments but it does not do it too brightly. You will still know it is night time and it will not affect drivers or neighbors. Your garden could be observed for longer hours, it is dark at 5 pm in the winter time. You leave to work in the dark and when you return it is dark. This does not have to be this way. Solar lights are practically maintenance free and this lighting can be placed in difficult to access areas of your property.

Solar yard lights are made of different compounds and materials, but the main three are stainless steel, plastic, and copper. They use LED white bulbs or you can choose from a smorgasbord of colored light bulbs. The possibilities are seemingly endless.

Some of the different types of patio solar lights are:

• Dog solar lights
• Plastic solar lights
• Stainless steel solar lights
• Rock solar lights
• Solar string lights
• Solar rope lights
• solar post lights
• solar deck lights

If you want the neighbors walking by, asking you questions about where you bought them and praising you with compliments, this is not a bad way to do it. They can also extend the time you work in the yard to accomplish a project, allow you to tend to your garden longer and probably more than once allow you to walk around in your yard without tripping.

Do you like buying durable products? Some solar patio lights are of a cheaper make and model but it does not cost that much more to buy solar powered lights that are long lasting and tough. They can handle the elements but they do not last forever. The same celestial object that is providing the lights with the power to shine at night also can fade the painting covering and sides of the light. However, you should receive a few years out of them before any of them need to be replaced.

One of the positive attributes solar lights is that once they are placed in your yard or patio, you do not have worry about them again. Just place them away from someone may park a car or you have a crushed product. However, like the military’s new javelin shoulder powered missile launcher with fire and forget technology, solar power lights are plant and forget. After they are set in place, either near the patio or out in the yard, they can be there for years and still work as expected. If it is cloudy day though, they will not generate light compared to if it was soaking up the sun’s rays all day.

Another practical aspect of outdoor solar lights is they do not involved extension cords running all over your deck, yard, or patio. Those cords can trip you up, be cut by a lawn mower and cause you to dig up your hard to bury them. This is not fun and can just lead to aggravation. They will hike up your electric bill.

Your patio can have string lights that hang from your roof. Therefore, these are up out of your way. These are outstanding for lighting up the holidays and for decorating your Christmas tree. You can buy them so they look like animals. For instance, lighted and shaped birds can be bought and even butterflies can be bought as well. They can be hung from tree branches or the fence or many other things. Can you imagine having an outdoor party with these dazzling solar lights ringed around the area? It would certainly accent the mood and increase the level of relaxation. It could be surreal and resplendent.

Patio solar lights are a modern day invention but enable us to appreciate Mother Nature’s beauty, the same beauty that has been running strong since the precipice of time. You can buy solar powered spot lights all the way to solar whimsical lights, whatever suits your fancy. The only limit is your imagination and it seems almost everyone was blessed with one of those.

Solar lights are the most economical lighting system that you can buy. In fact, this is the main reason why most people choose them. As the cost of energy is consistently on the rise, everyone is looking for more affordable options and there is nothing more affordable. They operate from natural sunlight at no extra cost for you. During daytime the batteries recharge to allow the LEDs to work every night without electricity or gas.

A second important consideration is that solar yard lights will not use up other energy resources. As electrical power and gas power are not needed, using solar lighting means that you will be doing your part to ensure that these resources are not depleted.

Solar powered lights are also environmentally friendly. Unlike electric-powered lights and gas-powered lights which can flood your yard and the night sky with too much bright light, they will provide just the right amount of lighting that you need.

Some people hesitate in trying solar yard lights because they feel that they are not effective, are difficult to install, or will not look good in their yards. Fortunately, none of these misconceptions are based on facts.

You may be surprised with how much light can be generated from the daytime sunlight. While you do not want lighting that is overly bright, you also do not want dim light that is essentially useless. Your solar lights will receive just the right amount of power to make them completely effective. Whether you wish to place them near your patio so you can enjoy evenings outside, or use them to illuminate your driveway for safety, you will find that they do the job even better than you expected.

Second, you will find these lights delightfully easy to install. You will not need to waste money hiring a handyman to do it. You can have them properly installed and in great working order in no time at all. It is an easy, do it yourself project which you will enjoy.

Solar yard lights also look great

There are so many different styles available that it will be easy to find the style best suited to your needs. Whether you are looking for something understated, sophisticated, to blend in with the natural environment or to provide a bold contrast, there is one available for you.

Solar lighting is both attractive and practical. When your yard, driveway, and walkway are lit with just the right amount of lighting, your property is much safer. Yard lighting helps in avoiding unwanted prowlers, and helps your family and guests to avoid unnecessary accidents. Driving, walking, and playing are all safer at night when your yard is well-lit, and it is the perfect fit for eco friendly homes.

While safety is an important factor, the nice appearance of solar garden lights is a positive feature as well. When your yard is nicely lit with the gentle illumination from solar yard lights, your entire property will be a showcase of beauty.

As you can see, there are plenty of reasons why you should consider adding solar yard lights to your home. They are the best choice for outdoor lighting available today.

Don’t forget to visit our solar lights store for great solar lights deals!

First, I tried Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH). It is run by Sears, who I have come to trust for a lot of products. They had exactly one brand of solar powered Christmas lights, in a total of 2 varieties! The worst part was that after all the research I had done (and it was a LOT), I had never even heard of the brand that they carried! I called Sears and they had the same brand, but in three varieties. They had solar LED icicle lights, some short solar string lights, solar rope lights and net lights. All of them were in white – no colors. Okay, so let’s check out the Home Depot. They have the biggest selection of solar lights I have seen at a local retailer. Guess how many solar Christmas lights they had at the store? They had a whopping total of 0. Yep, they did not have a single one.

My online search for a local vendor proved no more fruitful. Frustrating, no? I would figure that with the state of our ecology right now and Christmas coming up, solar lights for Christmas would be everywhere. Well, it seems that some of us are just a step ahead of our local merchants. I found myself going back to my old, trusted friend – the internet.

Here are the solar powered Christmas lights I wound up ordering and a quick review:

Solar String Lights

They come in 50 and 100 LEDs with a choice of colors. They light up really well. They stay cool and have solar rechargeable batteries. Since I used these lights to frame my roof, I decided to not use the garden stake and mounted the panel on my roof instead. the LEDs last for a long time. These lights are absolutely beautiful. They also come with an extra long lead, so you can mount the panel up to 15’ away. You can buy them Here

Solar Rope Lights

Very nice lights, bright enough and affordable. Here also they come in a choice of 100 or 50 LED with a nice selection of colors. Mounting hardware is included. Solar tube lights are great for any kind of decorative lighting. Click Here for more details.

[awsmvid play=”0″ hide=”0″ skins=”17″ size=”2″ ]i9D0LorYSCo[/awsmvid]

I looked at a couple of other lights there, but I decided I will buy more next year. My biggest advice to you now is to read the descriptions carefully and order soon, so that you get them in time for Christmas. I hope I have been of some help in your quest for solar powered Christmas lights. Happy lighting and Merry Christmas! Thanks for reading, Steve

Today lighting manufacturers are able to provide consumers with an endless selection of solar lights in a number of styles and options to pick and choose from. A selection of the most beautiful, decorative lights that can serve as garden accents, as well as providers of security and safety absolutely anywhere and is available both online as well as at your local lighting specialist. Some of these outdoor solar lights also come with dawn and dusk detectors, which mean the lights, can be set to switch on as soon as dusk sets in and operate until morning breaks.

This is an obvious example of a very common solar security lighting scenario, but most probably the greatest benefit of solar lights is the fact that these fixtures can be installed in any place at any time. For example, a home owner wants a solar light in a corner of a very dense and bushy spot in his or her garden; it would take literally a matter of minutes to install a solar yard light. Alternately, the owner would have to call in the assistance of an electrician to install the wiring and electrical service in the garden and then to install a conventional security light. What this means is that not only does the home owner benefit from the lack of wires, but the lights are also run at absolutely no cost; without any impact on his or her electricity bills.

Security is a major worry for all homeowners regardless of where their homes are located. They go to extreme lengths to protect their homes with alarm system installations in an attempt to successfully deter criminals. Motion sensor lights are also a great thieve deterrent. There is absolutely no doubt that thieves and burglars are less likely to break into well-light homes and gardens because of the fact that these homes and gardens leave them exposed and unable to proceed with their thieving plans. Bad news is however that experienced criminals have now identified a successful means to get around motion sensor lights. Light wires are cut, chop-chop. This makes solar security light installation the ultimate crime-combat solution.

Solar security lights unlike other lighting systems require no wiring to operate

The main source of their energy is solar energy instead of electrical energy. Should you decide to opt for solar security motion sensor installation say for example at your front door, there would be absolutely no way for burglars to cut much-needed light wiring. That’s because there are no wires to be severed. Once the lights are turned on there would be absolutely no way for criminals to turn it off.

[awsmvid play=”0″ hide=”0″ skins=”17″ size=”2″ ]f3DzzWASJ_o[/awsmvid]

These lights will keep your home safe, secure and of course well-light, at more than half of the cost of conventional security lights! A selection of fantastic light features that are not just bright, but also 100% reliable in terms of motion detection, are available that will trigger the light upon any motion in light’s pre-set radius.

Some types of solar lights can be used in several modes to work as conventional flood lighting, spot lighting or pure security lighting. Loads of people use solar lights as a really effective way to keep their homes safe and to help with ease of visibility while at the same time not distracting neighbors or wasting costly energy. These methods include but are definitely not limited to front door lighting, garage lighting, solar patio lights, driveway lights and pool lighting.

[awsmvid play=”0″ hide=”0″ skins=”17″ size=”2″ ]Dbmi1BAx67k[/awsmvid]

Most solar security lights come standard with ground stakes, wall mountings or can be custom made in accordance with customer specifications and preferences. Your own fastening and connection methods can be applied with the greatest of ease thanks to universal molds, making the install process quick and DIY friendly.

Find the best rated solar security lights at our Solar Lights Store

If you are like most of us, you likely have a space in your garage rafters or in the basement where you keep all of your old Christmas lights. Every year, you take them out and sort through the jumbled wires. You plug them in to test for burned out bulbs. Look around for the extension chords, etc. When you are done stringing them up, they look great. They are just a major pain to get them to that point.

I have been talking, over and over, on this site about how solar power technology has grown by leaps and bounds in just the last few years. One of the areas that show off that growth the best is solar lighting. Manufacturers have become very clever with their design and implementation, and that cleverness really shows itself in solar Christmas lights.

[awsmvid play=”0″ hide=”0″ skins=”17″ size=”2″ ]koAtZ4bvdOE[/awsmvid]

Click here for more info.

Let’s take a look at what comprises solar string lights:

• The Lights – The traditional holiday lights were a bulb and socket design. Basically, it was a filament bulb that was screwed in or pushed into a light socket, much like the light bulbs in your home. Solar Christmas lights are actually LEDs. They last much longer than incandescent bulbs and stay cooler, so there is much less of a fire risk. Also, LEDs are plastic, so they are less likely to break.
• Light Strings – The lights strings on most solar Christmas lights have between 20-50 lights. Not a big difference from the tradition styles, except that they can be a bit shorter.
• Solar Panels – Instead of ending in an electrical cord, these strings end in a solar panel. Solar panels usually have around four solar cells and a rechargeable battery. There are a few manufacturers making polycrystalline and multicrystalline solar cells. These will charge the batteries to near full, even on a rainy day!
• Rechargeable Batteries – Pretty much every solar light has a rechargeable battery. With this kind of solar lights the battery is usually in the panel assembly. The most common batteries are NiCad and NiMH but a few are actually being made with lithium batteries.

Next come the type and style options. I won’t even go into detail about these because there are way too many. I have personally seen traditional white string lights, multicolored string lights, net lights, solar angels, solar Santa Clauses, solar nativity scenes, solar rope lights and quite a few others that don’t come to mind at the moment.

The benefits, of course, are many more than just the convenience of not having to run extension chords. As with all solar lights, these decorative lights are good for your environment. They use no energy, therefore none of the Earth’s natural resources. Since they use no energy, they are good for your pocketbook (no huge electric bill). They should last you for at least 3 to 5 years without ever having to change a bulb.

There are a few downsides to solar Christmas lights, however. First of all, they do cost a bit more than more traditional lights would. That may be enough to stop some people from trying them, but you will be surprised by how much they will save you on electricity.

Another downside is that the lights are not as bright as their incandescent counterparts. No real way to get around that. I personally like the way they glow, but that is a personal preference. LEDs are way more efficient in the way they produce light out of energy, so whether or not they are bright enough for your taste, depends upon the lights you are used to. Either way, take some time and do some research. Check out your options and shop wisely.

Check our selection of solar Christmas lights

One great way to light up the inside of your home during the day is with a “solar skylight”. These aren’t actually solar lights, because they do not use a solar cell to transform light into energy to be stored and used for another purpose. They are actually like a regular skylight that uses reflective tubing between the roof and the ceiling to basically “funnel” the light into the room. Many of these solar skylights even allow for adjustment of the intensity of the light as well. These lights have huge benefits over standard lighting and even conventional skylights. Some of these include:

• It can go anywhere. The compact and flexible design of solar skylights permit them to be installed in about any room, including rooms without direct roof access and smaller spaces where day-lighting would usually not be an option.
• Installing it’s quick, tidy and easy. There is no structural framing, tunneling, sheet-rocking or painting. A professional can install the product in less than three hours and most Do-It-Yourselfers can finish the project in a single day.
• It is very cost-effective – Tubular solar skylights cost considerably less than other day-lighting options, such as skylights and windows.
• It’s “Green.” Solar skylights permit you to switch off electric lights during the day, which provides savings on energy bills and also reduces environmental pollution.
• It’s actually healthy for you. Several prominent studies have shown that increased daily exposure to natural light can enhance physical and mental well-being, and boost energy and concentration levels.

There are also other forms of indoor solar lights for a variety of other applications

Some of them fairly simple and others much more involved. Finding information about other forms of indoor solar lights is a little more difficult. Most require the installation of separate source of solar power that you can use to power your solar lights as well as just about everything else in your home. One form of indoor lighting technology that is getting more and more feasible as we speak is Hybrid Solar Lighting. There are some great ways to use solar lights indoors, however that do not require much work at all.

Most home improvement stores sell portable solar lights. These are lights that you can put anywhere that you need light at night that gets sun during the day. What if your home got adequate sunlight in the kitchen during the day? Could you place one of these portable solar lights in your kitchen so that it would charge during the day and provide light at night? Sounds like a great idea! How about a set of track lights that mount in the ceiling where you only need to run a single wire to a small solar source outside? That would work as well. If you use your imagination, you will find many ways to use indoor solar lights to save you money and help save the planet.