Millions of people benefit from solar lights.

A quick google search shows that the solar landscape accent lights are trendy, but there are many other types. We see motion-sensing solar lights, spot lights, outdoor flood lights, commercial solar floodlighting, and many others. Some cities are even upgrading street lights to solar power. It is also possible to have indoor solar lights and solar skylights!

Not long ago, solar technology was such that it was not practical for use with many lighting applications. The rechargeable batteries couldn’t hold enough juice to keep the lights lit for very long. Significant advancements have since been made in solar technology, facilitating solar security lights, solar post lights, solar flood lights, etc. These advancements include the increased use of lithium-ion batteries to store the energy collected from solar cells. Moreover, LED lights put out more illumination and use much less energy than more traditional lights.

So what are the benefits of solar lighting?

The most obvious advantage would be that they use a free, renewable source of energy – the Sun. Yes, the batteries do need replacement every couple of years or so, but if you compare the cost of the batteries to the cost of the electricity you will save, you will find that the savings are significant. The carbon footprint on our environment is also much, much smaller.

Another benefit of solar lighting is that each light is a self-contained unit. That means that if you have a set of lights, and one of the lights fails, the rest of the lights continue to operate. If the power to your home is interrupted, your solar-powered lights continue to function. You also don’t have to worry about running wires from one light to the next to a power source – they are wireless lights!

The many advantages of solar lights.

Outdoor lighting serves a variety of functions and provides numerous advantages for both residential and commercial sites. It may add style, accentuate a property, create the ideal mood for a gathering, and protect against potential and dangerous challenges.

5 reasons why solar outdoor lighting is an excellent option.

1. Hassle-Free

When people choose to use conventional electric outdoor lighting, they face limitations. One of the most significant impediments is installing these types of fixtures near the main socket. Secondly, most electric outdoor lights require professional help for installation. This process is time-consuming and expensive because most electricians usually charge per visit and need a landscaping team to dig holes to lay the necessary wires. Solar lighting takes only a few minutes and does not require expensive maintenance.

2. Affordable

Are you trying to reduce that pricy power bill? Outdoor solar lights are highly cost-efficient since they use rechargeable batteries and free energy from the Sun. In addition, they do not require any wiring job whatsoever.
Most solar lighting products use LED light technology.
LED bulbs are helpful for consumers since they generally last longer than traditional bulbs and use less energy.
Learn more about LED light bulbs and how they can affect your energy output and spending from energystar.gov.

3. Safety

Outdoor lighting is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it also makes your home or workplace less vulnerable to potential dangers.
The less likely the property will be broken into or vandalized if the building appears to be occupied or has security features in place. Outdoor solar lights are excellent in locations where lousy weather and power outages are prevalent since the fixture will continue to function as it doesn’t rely on the electricity network. Electric lights fixtures pose a safety peril to young children and pets if extension cables are laying around.

4. Versatility

Since solar lights do not require any electrical wiring, you can install them at any location that receives direct sunlight. Most come with built-in solar panels; a few have a separate one.

5. Environmentally Friendly

Solar lighting offers an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint, even modestly. Apart from using energy from the Sun, outdoor solar-powered lights are eco-friendly too. LEDs have a 10-year lifespan. Therefore, you will not have to replace and throw away old and dead light bulbs constantly. Compared to incandescent bulbs, LEDs waste less energy and last longer.

Solar Lighting FAQ’s

How long do outdoor solar lights last?

Outdoor solar lights can have a lifespan of up to 10 years if cared for properly. And battery replacement is suggested every 2-3 years.

What are the best outdoor solar lights?

There are numerous types of solar lights to choose. You might want a solar motion security light, solar garden light, or solar floodlight to illuminate your landscape, or wall light to brighten your balcony or deck in the evening.

Can I leave my solar lights outside during wintertime?

High-quality solar lights can operate all year long. So yes, you can leave them outside during the winter. You’ll need to wipe snow or ice off the solar panel to enhance the efficiency of your light.

Would you mind checking back often for more in-depth articles about the improving technology, uses, and benefits of solar lighting? Please feel free to contact me with any questions or topics you would like covered.

The solar flag light unit can be used as uplight to illuminate a flag or downlight to display a flower bed below beautifully. You can use the Polepal solar lighting kit in different configurations, i.e., on the wall, deck, ground, pole, or any combination involved. If only one solar spotlight is enough to provide adequate illumination to your flag, then the remainder of the spotlights can be installed in the backyard or just along a path.

They are also mountable on a deck or a wall to illuminate your house or any outdoor features. In addition to the flagpole mounting gear, You also get the wall mounting hardware and ground stakes with your purchase.
Polepal solar flag light is maintenance-free and appropriate for residential and commercial applications such as flower beds, pathways, gardens, flag poles, main entrances, sign lighting, etc.

Polepal solar flagpole light can be used for

• Flagpoles
• Flower beds
• Pathway
• Garden
• Entrance light

What comes with your flagpole solar light

• (3) Ultra-bright solar-powered spotlights
• Arm PolePal fixture for fastening the lights to the flagpole
• 1 to 1-inch flagpole spacer
• 1 to 1/2 inch flagpole spacer
• Deck/wall mount
• (3) Ground stakes
• (3) Extension pole union adapters
• (6) Extension poles

Specifications

• 3 x 1.2 volt 1500 mAh batteries per spot light
• Each solar panel 280 mAh
• 420 lux
• Four 10mm LEDs in every spotlight

Final thoughts

PolePal solar flag Light provides a cost-effective solution that is environment friendly and appropriate for most flag lighting applications. It is the ideal add-on to complement any flagpole. Assembling, mounting, and adjusting the spotlights may take some time, but the result is worth the effort.

This affordable and efficient 5 watts LED solar-powered parking lot light is available in two options:

1. HECSML-5 will get switched on as soon as the motion sensor catches movement and will completely turn off one minute after motion stops.
2. HECSSL-M will stay lit through the night but will switch to higher intensity as soon as motion is detected in the area which is covered by the infrared sensor.

This 5 watts LED solar parking lot light is an all-in-one unit which contains 64 SMD LED bulbs, a powerful 7 watts solar panel, rechargeable lithium battery, charge controller, dusk to dawn photocell and an infrared motion sensor. All parts mix together into a beautifully made commercial solar security light with extraordinary lighting quality. This perfectly sealed self-contained unit makes a perfect set’n and forget solar light. Its great design makes it ideal for both commercial and residential use.

This commercial grade solar motion lamp operates in a seamless manner in all types of weather. It has been made to endure high winds, cloudy days, cold and heavy rains.

The LEDs turn on automatically at night and remain in dim mode as long as no vehicle or people are accessing the infrared sensor device. When motion is detected in the area, the light switches to bright high-power mode that corresponds to the illumination of a 75-100 watts electric bulb. When the area becomes peaceful again, the LEDs get back to dim power which equals the brightness of a 40-50 watt regular incandescent bulb. This useful feature is intended to make the Greenlytes 64 LED solar parking lot light very energy saving for trouble free and continuous operation.

GET this Commercial LED Solar Security Light by Clicking HERE

Greenlytes 64 LED solar parking lot light can be used for

• Security lighting
• Small Roads
• Parks
• Camping sites
• Pathways
• Area lighting
• Alleys
• Gardens
• Parking lot lighting

Included with the solar powered parking light

• 1 year manufacturer warranty
• Mounting hardware
• installation manual
• 3Ah built in Lithium battery
• 5 watt LED light with built-in solar panel

Specifications

• 64 High-power SMD LEDs – Total 5 watts
• 4500K~6500K color temperature
• 400 lumens bright mode and 200 lumens dim mode
• 3Ah Lithium rechargeable battery pack
• 7 W solar panel
• Over charge / discharge protection
• 10 hours lighting time on a completely charged battery
• Automatic lighting from evening to wee hours of morning and infrared sensor
• 10m x 10m (33ft x 33ft) Illumination area
• 120 degree illumination angle
• Recommended pole diameter 3″ (pole not included). Can be wall mounted
• Recommended distance between poles 6~8 M (20~27 ft.)
• Recommended installation height 2~4 M (7~13 ft.)
• Operating temperature range -25 to 65 ºC (-13 to 149 ºF)
• Weight 1.8kg (4lbs)
• Dimensions 32cm x 24cm x 55cm (12.5″ x 9″ x 2″)
• Dust proof, rust proof and weather resistant

-> Click here for more details <-

Final thoughts

Greenlytes 64 LED solar parking lot light is the perfect solution for security and area lighting. Despite its very affordable price it is a reliable and easy to install commercial solar light which is suitable in any kind of outdoor operation. If you really want the peace of mind of an all-in-one weatherproof and bright LED solar light, this small and compact solar street light is just meant for you.

For maximum mounting flexibility, all three components are linked by 10 feet wires terminated with waterproof connectors. This exceptionally bright LED solar flood light allows power saving, while making sure the desired places and objects are effectively lit. For accurate positioning, the heavy-duty and weatherproof floodlight head is adjustable.

Greenlytes commercial solar flood light works with a solar panel and a rechargeable battery which takes in energy during the day to fire up the 336 LED at night. This makes it a sustainable choice for sign lighting or architectural lighting.

This LED solar flood light is also designed with durability in mind. The die-cast aluminum case and tempered glass protect the LEDs from impacts and water. The flood light is weatherproof and able to withstand all type of weather conditions.

Greenlytes Commercial Solar Flood Light 336 LED yields a whopping 1880 lumens. It can be compared with the brightness generated by a 400 watts incandescent lamp. In addition, an aluminum reflector located behind the LEDs magnify the output of the flood light. It is able of covering a 55ft. X 55ft. area.

This powerful solar powered flood light is great for any project where high brightness and low maintenance lighting is necessary.

This commercial grade LED solar floodlight comes with a built-in light sensor for automatic dusk to dawn operation. It starts operating automatically in the evening and gets shut down in the morning. With a full charge it can provide powerful illumination for 10-12 hours straight. If weather turns bad, the battery can supply backup power for 2 to 3 nights.

Greenlytes commercial solar flood light is fit with an over charge /discharge protection circuit. Apart from this, an automatic voltage detection circuit control the brightness of the LEDs to allow maximum running time.

GET this 336 LED Solar Flood Light by Clicking HERE

Greenlytes commercial solar flood light 336 LED can be used for

• Billboards
• Security lighting
• Camping areas
• Sport fields
• Horse arena lighting
• Disaster areas
• Parking lot lighting
• Driveways
• Flagpole lighting
• Accent lighting for buildings, monuments and trees,
• Solar sign light for residential and commercial

Included with the solar powered flood light

• Battery box
• 12 volt/38Ah sealed lead acid battery
• 18 volts/40 watts solar panel
• Flood light with 336 ultra-bright LED
• Installation manual

Specifications

• Voltage detection circuit takes control of the brightness of the light for conservation of energy
• With regard to construction, it has tempered glass sealed lens, cast-aluminum casing
• Light output is 1880 lumens
• Photocell (dusk till dawn running)
• Panel output is 18 Volts-40 Watts
• Battery sealed lead-acid 12 Volts-38A/h
•  Light time is Up to 10-12 hours
•  Over charge or discharge protection

-> Click here for more details <-

Final thoughts

This 336 LED Commercial Solar Flood Light is different from many other outdoor solar lights. Whether one likes to make use of it for illuminating parking lots, commercial signs, billboards or for public area lighting and security, one should be sure that this is the most appropriate solar flood lights. It is versatile enough to be used for pathway tracks, monuments, backyards, buildings, commercial signs etc.

The SGG-F108-3T solar flood light can operate in 4 ways

1. Automatically from dusk to dawn
2. With the included RF remote control which has a range of approximately 50 ft
3. With the built-in timer
4. Master On/Off switch located on the unit

These are the parameters that can be setup wit the RC

1. On/Off
2. Timer: 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 hours
3. Brightness: 10, 30, 50, 70 and 100%

This bright solar powered flood light is specially designed for illuminating HOA signage, billboards, commercial signs, parking lots, etc.
The SGG-F108-3T is also suitable for outdoor arena lighting and will also work very well for facade and architectural lighting.
It will easily lit a 30′ wide x 30′ deep area.

Depending on your geographical location in the US, the estimated run time of the SGG-F108-3T solar flood light is 10-12 hours when the battery is fully charged.

Installation wise, this solar powered flood light is designed for ground or wall mounting. Ground stakes are included and can be removed for flush mounting. An optional pole mount is available for the solar panel.

GET this 108 LED Solar Flood Light by Clicking HERE

The SGG-F108-3T solar flood light 108 LED can be used for

• HOA signage
• Billboards
• Commercial signs
• Parking lots
• Outdoor horse arena lighting
• Architectural lighting

Included with the solar powered flood light

• Flood light with 108 ultra-bright SMD LED
• 11.1 volt/6Ah Li-Ion (Lithium) rechargeable battery
• 13.5 Volt, 11 watts solar panel
• Remote control
• Wires, and ground stakes
• Installation manual

Specifications

• Remote control manages the brightness and timer of the light
• Tempered glass sealed lens and cast-aluminum casing
• Light output is 756 lumens
• Photocell (dusk till dawn)
• Panel output is 13.5 Volts-11 Watts
• Lithium battery 11.1 Volts-6A/h
• Running time up to 10-12 hours
• Over charge or discharge protection
• Weatherproof

-> Click here for more info <-

Final thoughts

This solar flood light looks good and  price is good too. It really delivers a very bright illumination. I also like the remote control features which allow me to fully control this light. This solar light is easy to install and to operate. Set it and forget it! It is very well built and can be used for lot of applications in any kind of weather.

This 12 Watts led solar street light is an extremely robust and versatile solar light. It is ideal for all kinds of weather conditions. Being packed with 48 ultra-bright LEDs yielding 1200 lumens (equal to 140-150 watts electric halogen lamp) it will find its place anywhere bright and reliable lighting is needed. This self-contained solar parking light gives up extra lighting within no time.

With no assembly required, the installation process is simple and easy. Just 4 bolts are needed to be tightened onto a pole.

The unit is also mountable on external walls or any flat surface. It can be installed within a few minutes. No connection or trenching to the electric grid is required. Thus, Greenlytes all-in-one LED parking light is ideal for new installations or retrofitting old electric powered light fixtures.

This affordable LED solar street light is built to suit many lighting projects and can be easily adapted to an extensive array of applications.

Greenlytes 12 watts LED solar parking lot light is appropriate for usage in camps, military base, airfields, gardens, villas, farms, campuses, schools, docks, parking lots, parks, squares, industrial areas, private roads and at any places where reliable, affordable and bright lighting is required. The good thing about it is that no power source or cabling is needed. Just mount the light on a post or wall and get automatic and bright lighting at night.

All day long the highly powerful solar panel takes energy from the sun and stores it to the built-in 26.4Ah lithium battery. At evening, the solar parking light gets automatically switched on, giving up eight hours of bright lighting. As soon as eight hours get lapsed, the LEDs get switched OFF. Again they will get switched back to full power when any movement is detected. This system allows for substantial power saving and longer running time.

GET this 48 LED Solar Parking Light by Clicking HERE

Greenlytes 12 Watts LED Solar Parking Lot Light can be used for

• Security lighting
• Small Roads
• Parks
• Camping
• Pathways
• Parking lots
• Area lighting
• Gardens

Included with the LED solar street light

• 1 year manufacturer warranty
• Mounting hardware
• Installation manual
• 12 watt solar powered street light with 14.5 watts solar panel and 48 LED
• 26.4 Ah built in Lithium battery

Specifications

• Mount on  3″ – 4″ poles or walls
• Distance between poles 26~32 ft
• Installation height 13~19 ft.
• Temperature range -25 to 65 ºC
• Weight 17 lbs
• Dimensions 30.82 x 8.93 x 1.73 inch
• Over charge / discharge protection
• 26.4 Ah built-in rechargeable Lithium battery
• 14.5 Watts solar panel
• 120 degree illumination angle
• 2~3 days lighting even during rainy days
• 8 hours light time
• Dusk to dawn infrared motion sensor
• Color temperature: 4500K~6500K
• 1200 lumens and 300 lumens
• 48 High-power LED
• All-in-one aluminum alloy casing

-> Click here for more info <-

Final thoughts

I really like this small and compact LED solar light. The smooth aluminum finish is really pleasing to the eyes. The installation is easy and can be done in no time as long as you already have a pole setup. I also like the wall mounting option which allows to mount it on any flush surface. Brightness generated by the 48 ultra-bright LEDs is quite impressive.

If you read my last post on Tips for Designing your Solar Garden, you may have some ideas, but I decided it might help to give you some examples of where to start. These are really simple methods that you can use to enhance your property with easy solar lights projects in as little as about 15 minutes or so.

Let’s start with what I think is by far the easiest of all outdoor solar lights projects

Pathway lights

Let’s say that you have a walk way that goes from the public sidewalk (or your driveway) to your front porch. On each side of the porch there is either dirt or some bushes or planters or lawn – anything “soft” that is bordering the walkway on both sides.

Once your solar lights arrive, you basically just take them out of the box and push them into the soft substrate on each side of your walkway, and you are done. I personally recommend putting one on each side of the walk way where it meets the sidewalk or driveway, where the walkway meets your front porch or stair landing and as many as needed between them to light the entire walkway. Some sets comes with several light fixtures, so if you do not use them all, you can use the rest for your next solar lights projects.

Corner lights

Just about every house I have ever seen has dark corners at night. A good idea might be to take a few of the lights I mentioned above and place one in each of those dark corners. You will be amazed at how those corners look once they are lit up. Just make sure that the solar panels can get direct sunlight during the day.

Patio lights

Often, people don’t consider their patio when planning their landscape lighting projects. Placing some of the leftover pathway lights along your patio fence line will do a lot to liven up your patio area for evening gatherings. They also work well when put in raised planters and other areas of your patio.

Globe lights

Solar globe lights are also a very easy way to add some really nice lighting effects to your front or back yard. These are mostly decorative lights that have a softer glow than the pathway lights, so can be better suited when a “glow” is what you are aiming for.

These lights fall under the category of “accent lights”, because they are meant to give just that – accent lighting. These are great to put among bushes or in gardens that need nothing more than a soft glow to have the effect that you are looking for. While many types of accent lighting require a separate solar panel to be placed remotely, solar globe lights do not. This makes them just as easy to install as the pathway lights.

String lights

Of all the types of solar lights we have discussed so far in this article, my favorite, by far, are solar string lights. There are actually many different types of solar string lights on the market today, and more varieties seem to be popping up on the market almost daily.

These are very beautiful lights. I have actually discussed these lights before on this site (and own a set). They are very easy to install and add a really beautiful effect at night. They are not quite as easy to install as the pathway or globe lights, but if you have ever successfully hung a string of Christmas lights, you can install these.

Most people tend to want to hang these overhead, along eves or awnings, and while this is not a bad idea, do not limit yourself to just that. If you have a deck attached to your home, try hanging these lights along the deck railing. Solar rope lights are also nicely suited for hanging along a fence line or a variety of other places. Use your imagination and you will be surprised at the results.

Other uses

There are, of course many other ways to incorporate solar lighting into your home design. Some solar lights projects are extremely easy, and some a little more difficult. I hope that this article will give you some ideas to start with until I get the chance to introduce some more ideas into the mix. In the mean time, there are lots of articles on this site that may be able to give you some more ideas and tips for finding creative ways to use solar lights.

If you have read any of the other posts on this site, you likely know how fond I am of  solar lighting. Be that as it may, it is important that you understand the benefits (and drawbacks) of both. The last thing I want you to do is go out and buy a bunch of solar lights that are not going to work for you, just based on my assertion that they are the best thing since sliced bread.

This site is filled with posts showing the benefits of solar outdoor garden lights, so I am not going to go into them in too much depth, but I did want to touch on them a bit. The first benefit is obviously that they are powered by sunlight as opposed to electricity. While this is their biggest advantage, concurrently it can also be their biggest pitfall.

A solar lighting system  does not use electricity

It means that it cost literally nothing to run as long as the solar powered lights get enough sun to keep their built in batteries charged. They will turn off during the day and turn back on at night. They will stay on all night, until they detect morning sunshine. This makes them easy to forget about until you go out in the dark and see them lit (or trip over one while gardening).

The “pitfall” in all this is that if you do not get enough sunlight, they will not work. Most solar garden lights have pretty efficient solar panels, so they can collect a pretty decent charge during overcast days. But some areas around the world are just dark and gloomy all the time. These are just not the best places to use a solar lighting system.

Solar lights need to be able to charge to full capacity from time to time or the batteries’ life is reduced. If you plan to place them in the shade (like under a bush or something), make sure you get a fixture that has a remote panel that you can mount in a location where it will get enough sunlight.

Another point to consider is the bulbs themselves. Most solar powered garden lights use LEDs as their source of illumination. While this makes them virtually maintenance free, they are not quite as bright as other types of garden lighting. LEDs are manufactured to last for a very long time. Usually, the fixture itself will wear out before the bulbs do. They are also much more efficient. Incandescent bulbs convert energy into two things: light and heat. LEDs do a much better job of converting the energy into light, and create very little heat.

That said, they are still not quite as bright (except solar flood lights) as other types of landscape lighting. This is due to the fact that they must focus on staying lit for 10-12 hours on a single charge. That longevity comes at a cost – they cannot be as bright.

Low Voltage Lighting

Low voltage landscape lighting also has its good and bad points. The good thing about them is that they will work anywhere that you have something to plug them into. Contrary to a solar lighting system You don’t really need to worry about whether or not you get enough sun to charge the batteries, because they do not have them.

That being said, they are also much more difficult to install. Some people will just dig a small trench where they are going to run the wires and lay the wires in the trench. I do not recommend this. If you are going to go through the trouble of installing low voltage landscape lighting, I recommend that you spend a couple of dollars to buy some PVC pipes, glue, and fittings. Use the pipe as a wiring conduit. This will protect the wires from being gnawed on by pests and being accidentally cut with a gardening tool.

Another benefit of using low voltage lighting in your garden is that they work well for areas that need a lot of light. They do not really need to be too concerned with being super efficient, because they do not have batteries that drain. That also come at a cost, and with these lights, the cost is directly related to your pocket book. They will have an impact on your energy bill.

Hybrid Systems

Hybrid systems for landscape lighting do exist. A hybrid system uses primarily solar power and supplements it with low voltage electricity when the solar batteries run low. The biggest problems here are price and installation. You still need to run electrical wires with this kind of system. You also need to have a voltage sensor and relay system that detects when the batteries are running low, so it can start using electricity. While this obviously solves some of the problems associated with both solar and low voltage systems, they are not yet popular enough to be priced at a range that is comfortable for most people who are just looking to add some lights to their garden.

The Verdict

What do I recommend? I think that if you live in an area that gets plenty of sunlight throughout the year, and you do not need a TON of light, solar lights are the way to go. If you think about it, there are not many applications where you need a lot of light. Read through some of the articles on this site and you will find many applications where a solar lighting system works wonderfully. I think the two areas where they do not work as well as low voltage lights are floodlights and spotlights. Floodlights are still very bright, however, if used as a motion detector light. In this case, the lights are not using a lot of power because they only turn on a few times a night (at most), for a minute or so each time.

If you need lights that are just too bright for solar lighting to facilitate, or if you live in an area that does not get much sunlight, low voltage lights might be what you need. Be careful with the usage though. I would recommend having them on a timer to allow them to run only at certain times of the evening. Leaving them on all night long could cost you more than a few dollars.

Have I forgotten anything? Well, here you have it then. Solar lighting system vs. low voltage lighting. Which way will you go?

In the past, solar lights were considered a luxury due to the high cost of installation as well as maintenance. Solar technology of the past prevented the batteries included with such lighting to store energy for beyond a few hours. Which is why many people believed solar lighting to be a much more inefficient method of landscape lighting.

However, today’s solar technology has not only increased the storage capacity of modern solar lights. Solar cells have improved too  and solar post lights can now run for several nights if the battery is fully charged.

Most people shop for solar post lights for economical reasons

They are looking for easy ways to beautify and improve their landscape while saving money on their electricity bill. For sure, solar lighting is an economical decision in the long run. The initial installation of a network of solar lights for landscaping purposes might be more expensive than traditional incandescent lighting. The plus side is that further down the line, customers will save money on electricity and maintenance costs. Keep in mind that solar lights require the least maintenance out of the major types of lighting designed to be used in landscaping.

Choosing solar post lights

The luminescence of your solar lighting determines how economical your lights are for you. If you are using your solar post lights on your deck as a way to brighten an outdoor living area when it is needed, you will want lights with a high luminosity. These do not last as long as lights that are designed to provide area of effect lighting around the perimeter of landscaping. You need to consider this when planning your lit space. Solar lights designed with a high output are not always necessary.

If you are using post lights as a means to light a path, then higher caliber solar lighting should not be a priority to you. The design is what matters here, so long as the light outputs enough light that the landscaping or pathway is visible, there is no need to consider whether or not the luminosity of the lights is high enough to last all evening.

Costs associated with solar lighting

Most solar lights are sold in do it yourself kits that are relatively easy to install. Each light has all the components self contained. Some kits feature stand alone solar panels. This requires a little bit more planning than sticking your lights where ever you want them. You need to connect the solar panel to the light fixture.

The standard cost for solar post lights depends on the style you get, but most average around $20 to 30 per post, with some slightly cheaper or more expensive, depending on style. This cost is rather expensive when compared to the cost of incandescent or fluorescent lighting in the same category. But remember that once the solar lights are installed, they are not consuming any electricity whatsoever. This makes them a better value in the long run.

Give them enough sunlight

As always, you should ensure the area you plan on placing the lights gets enough sun to charge the lights during the day. At least 8 hours of direct sunlight is recommended each day.  But remember, modern solar lights can last for nearly three days on one charge. Nowadays performant solar panels and lithium battery. If you live in an area that does not receive much sunlight, you may want to reconsider the purchase of solar lights. You could get a less than optimal performance as some areas of the country receive much more sunlight than others. Take trees and weather into account when making your purchase.

Don’t forget to check out our Online Store for awesome deals on solar lights

First, you have a photovoltaic cell that captures the light. The bigger the cell, the more light it can capture and convert to energy. Size is not everything though. The biggest factor when dealing with solar cells is the efficiency. That is where the biggest advancements in technology are happening.

Next, you need something that stores the energy. Most solar lights use nickel cadmium batteries for energy storage. Next you have the light itself. This is where LED technology comes into play. LED’s are a “cool” light. That means that they can convert the energy that is given to them into almost pure light, rather than the combination of heat and light that older filaments produce. This makes the LED’s much more efficient. They also have a much longer life than older light types.

Keeping all this in mind, you really need to make sure that the solar yard lights you are buying are going to suit your application. Let’s assume that we are not going to go with yesterday’s technology, and we are going to make sure that the lights have high quality photovoltaic cells and LED’s. Let’s look at the three basic types of outdoor solar lights, and how application needs to dictate the lights type.

First is solar accent lights. As the name implies, this type of solar light is meant to add accents to your home landscaping. Since accent lights are fairly dim compared to other types of solar lights, they have a much longer run time. It is not uncommon to get a couple of nights worth of light out of a single day’s charge. Look for accent lights that have multi-crystalline solar cells. They can collect energy even on overcast days. I should also note that the amber LED’s seem to have a longer run time than white. There are also many styles of accent lights that can compliment the surrounding scenery. They also work great as solar patio lights.

Next are solar path lights. These solar lights are brighter than accent lights. They are meant for lighting pathways, driveways, walkways, etc. Solar path lights come in a variety of options for mounting in a way that will work for your project. Just keep in mind that they are really meant to focus the light downward, toward the ground. As they run brighter than accent lights, you can expect shorter run times.

The brightest of the outdoor solar lights are spotlights and solar flood lights . They are used to cast a beam of light toward a particular feature of your home’s landscaping or architecture. As the light is projected away from the fixture toward another object, most people prefer to have them hidden out of sight. This can make them difficult to energize, as “hidden” and “in direct sunlight” is usually a contradiction in terms. For this reason, many solar flood lights have a separate “solar panel” that connects to the light with a wire that can be mounted in an area that gets more light. This allows you a great deal of versatility in locating your spotlights in just the perfect spot for the greatest effect.

Hopefully this will help you understand how to choose outdoor solar lights. You can now buy the right solar powered lights for the right application without some of the costly mistakes that often come about in “do-it-yourself” type projects.

Did you know that there is such a thing as indoor solar lighting? Learn more about these, as well as about solar skylights in our indoor solar lights post

Overview of solar garden lights

Solar garden lighting is becoming more popular over time. There are several reasons for this growth in popularity. One of the main draws is that solar lighting is environmentally friendly.

The conversion of sunlight to electrical energy releases no CO2 compared to traditional electricity production.

Most electrical power is supplied via coal or gas power stations; which releases a lot of CO2 into the environment. These gases are one of the main driving forces behind mankind speeding up the process of global warming.

Another reason why solar lighting is gaining popularity is that it can save you money. The fact that these lights are powered by the sun means that you only need to pay the initial purchase price.
There are no ongoing costs to power the lights. This is a fact that appeals to a lot of consumers; whether they are environmentally conscious or not.

Advantages of solar garden lights

Solar lights usually run on LEDs; this means that they won’t blow out like a traditional bulb. They can last a very long time (up to 10 years in some cases). As mentioned before they virtually have no running costs and are environmentally friendly.

Disadvantages of solar lighting

Depending on the amount of daylight you get the brightness sometime isn’t as good as traditionally wired lights. The mechanism that powers the solar garden lights is also susceptible to becoming less effective. If dirt covers the solar receptor then the amount of sunlight converted to energy will be less.

Overview of wired electrical lighting

This is the traditional form of lighting that is used for permanent garden lights. They usually run on a low voltage basis for safety reasons. Most people still prefer these lights due to the familiarity/comfort of them.

Advantages of wired electrical lighting

These lights are traditional and can add value to your garden/property when it comes to resale. As these are more common than outdoor solar lights, buyers usually like to stick with what they know.

Disadvantages of wired electrical lighting

You have to pay for the continued running cost of wired electrical lighting. Every time you turn them on it is costing you money. This is not the case with solar garden lights. There is also the fact that the bulbs will blow out and need replaced on a semi-regular basis. Also because they are wired and connect to your home’s main electrical supply there is danger involved. If an untrained individual makes a mistake when wiring up garden lights it could have negative consequences.

This article was written by Peter McAllister who works for SGM a supplier of garden machinery. They sell equipment such as aerators and second hand lawn mowers

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.

Before thinking оf disassembling уоu solar lights, you need to clean the small solar panels оn the top with water to mаkе sure they аrе receiving еnоugh sunlight in day time. If аftеr а couple оf days уоu don’t see аnу difference, іt іѕ time tо find courage… аnd уоur bеѕt screwdriver.
Your next mission, should уоu choose tо accept іt іѕ tо find the culprit, and mоѕt оf the time the rechargeable batteries іnѕіdе your outdoor solar lights аrе tо blame. Unfоrtunаtеlу thеѕе batteries аrе nоt eternal, thеу hаvе а life-span оf оnе tо twо years. A lot оf factors determine fоr hоw long solar light batteries саn operate аt their full capacity. Tо replace them јuѕt follow the steps bellow:

To access solar light batteries you need to disassemble the unit

In mоѕt cases you’ll find fеw screws under the light fixtures. Remove them carefully to not break any wire. At thіѕ stage уоu ѕhоuld bе аblе tо easily open thе solar light аnd ѕее what’s inside.
Once уоu find thе rechargeable batteries, remove thеm carefully аnd write dоwn thе specifications. Thеу ѕhоuld bе оf NiCd оr MiMH type 1.2 volt AA size аnd аnуthіng bеtwееn 500 tо 1200 Mah. Thіѕ type оf rechargeable batteries аrе widely аvаіlаblе аnd finding thеm іn уоur favorite shop оr online shouldn’t bе аn issue.

Once іn possession оf your nеw set оf rechargeable batteries, уоu hаvе two choices:

• If уоu hаvе а universal battery charger уоu саn charge them bеfоrе installation ѕо уour solar lights аrе ready tо operate fast.
• If nоt іn а hurry, јuѕt install the nеw set and your solar powered lights should bе fully charged аftеr а couple оf days and ready tо run properly.

Congratulations, mission accomplished! You’ve replaced your solar light batteries. Your solar garden lights аrе lіkе nеw nоw and should operate trouble-free fоr аn additional couple оf years.

More on how solar lights work

Reducing this energy consumption saves electricity costs and increases renewable energy demand. with mаnу states enacting plans tо rely mоrе heavily оn renewable energy, Solar outdoor lighting іѕ оnе avenue tо meet these goals. It’s аlѕо handy fоr remote construction and work crews who depend оn diesel-powered generators.

Outdoor solar lighting саn replace аnу electrical outdoor lighting

Frоm а household’s porch light tо а streetlight tо а road sign оr billboard spotlight. At thе University оf California аnd thе National Institute оf Standards аnd Technologies, solar panels оn top оf parking lot shelters light uр thе areas аt night. Bus shelters and public parking lots іn Florida and San Diego аrе lit using solar panels and solar street lights are used more often fоr electricity.

If you’ve driven dоwn а mountain highway recently, уоu mау hаvе noticed road signs wіth а lіttlе black box perched оn top. Thаt solar panel box charges durіng thе day, аnd lights thе sign аt night, eliminating thе nееd fоr electricity іn remote оr rural areas.

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Portable solar panel generators, hаvе bееn developed tо supply emergency response teams аnd remote construction sites wіth non-fossil fuel power. Thе panels саn bе towed tо а site and generate energy tо power generators with а diesel back-up іn case оf problems.
Typically the outdoor solar lights уоu ѕее іn mоѕt stores аrе pathway lights and perhaps ѕоmе spot lights. Thеrе аrе actually mаnу types оf specialty solar lights. Thеrе аrе seasonal lights and forms, security lights, flowered lights and еvеn lights that соmе іn forms lіkе dogs, frogs, turtles, birds, insects and еvеn оnеѕ that float іn а swimming pool.

If уоu аrе а dog aficionado, there іѕ а yellow dog, black Labrador, а boxer and а British bulldog and they аrе holding а solar lantern. Thеу actually lооk lіkе а dog sitting out іn your yard and they аrе holding а lantern іn their mouths.

Outdoor solar lights саn bе mоrе fun than а garage roof lining оr а tow trailer

In Adelaide, Australia, Solar Light art called Solar Mallee Trees hаvе bееn operating ѕіnсе 2005. Thеу generate 864 kWh energy, while using only 125 kWh tо light their surroundings. Thе extra electricity іѕ put bасk into the grid fоr uѕе elsewhere.

Pittsburgh, PA and Vienna, Italy hаvе similar solar lights іn the shape оf а tree оr а flower with the petals and leaves sporting solar panels оn оnе side and lights оn the other. Thеѕе types оf lights contribute artistically tо their cities, generate power fоr the grid, and reduce dependence оn costly non-renewable energy.

In еvеrу sector оf the economy, energy efficiency іѕ gaining importance both аѕ а cost-saving solution and аѕ а wау tо meet efficiency goals.
Supporting your local community’s efforts tо replace inefficient electrical lighting with outdoor solar lighting technology wіll increase the chances of adopting solar energy on a large scale.

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

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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!

While our primary focus is on solar lighting, we believe that solar energy is the best alternative for eventually replacing fossil fuels.

That is why, when our friends at sunrunhome.com asked us if we would like to post one of their infographics to our site… well, how could we refuse?

So, without further ado, here is a guest post from Sunrun, complete with infographic

Solar panel technology has changed little since it’s inception in 1894. Certain refinements have increased output and produced higher efficiency, while the technology surrounded battery technology has improved our ability to store the energy collected.

The technology for solar has made it a reasonable alternative to other forms of power, in terms of investment, for some time now. There have even been federal incentive programs since the 1950’s in attempt to encourage Americans to create their own power and soften the impact on the grid.

What has really changed is the cost per watt in comparison to the cost of competitive renewable and non-renewable energies.

This is true with every technology. The more we make, the cheaper it gets. The cheaper it gets, the more likely it’s going to be used by the largest number of people. More importantly, the cheaper it gets, the more available it is to the average entrepreneur to enter the market.

From our humble beginnings of discovery in 1839, to the now burgeoning market for inexpensive, easily available solar, we’ve come along way to parity.

Advantages of leasing solar panels

And now, with so many solar companies offering lease programs, the cost of installing solar on your home or business has dropped so significantly, it can often be purchased with little or no money down. Now that is incentive.

Infographic by Sun Run

Thanks, guys, for the awesome contribution!

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.

Here are 5 reasons to consider incorporating solar rock lights into your yard this weekend

1. Affordable, yet durable materials

The primary materials used in creating garden lights, such as these synthetic rocks, are hard polyethylene plastic and treated polyresin. Although both of these materials are inherently tough, they are coated with additional toughening substances to ensure resistance to scratching, breakage, and weather. Additionally, the light bulb used is inserted into the rock while the solar panel is attached on top of the rock, making them both immune to loosening or damage.

2. Easy to transport and install

If you need to transport several solar rock lights at a time, a large plastic bag is all you will need. As you go from location to location in your lawn, simply dropping them into place is all that is required. You can return to them later to make the appropriate angle adjustments, and if you need to tilt some of them, you can use stones or loose soil to raise the side which needs to be elevated. Because of the ease of installing these types of garden lights, you can rearrange them as often as you like.

3. A wide range of designs and colors

Solar rock lights are made to resemble different types of rocks. As such, there are a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and colors to choose from. If you want a rock that appears to be covered by moss, select a green one. If you want a rock that isn’t as noticeable, and can blend into a colored background, there are red, brown, and black rocks available. If you want to take the opposite approach and put the lights on display, polyresin rocks with animal or floral patterns painted on them might be appropriate.

4. Resistant to harsh weather conditions

As with most types of outdoor solar lighting, all the materials used for creating solar rock lights have been treated for protection against harsh conditions of weather. Once in their places, you won’t need to be concerned that extremes of heat and cold will warp or break the material, as they are made to withstand both heat and cold equally well. Further, forms of precipitation, such as rain, snow, or sleet are no match for these hard-wearing decorative rocks.

5. An ideal night light

As opposed to harsher lighting used for construction purposes, such as spotlights, solar rock lights give your yard a comfortable, yet practical level of illumination; perfect for children to play, or night time dinners to be had. What’s more, this form of lighting is uni-directional, meaning it will only light the portion of your yard directly in front of the bulb, so as not to disturb the neighbors. Lastly, solar rock lights serve safety purposes as well, helping to prevent trips and falls, as well as deterring pesky night time bandits, such as burglars and vandals.

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.

So without further ado the official Solar Lights FAQ

Q – Are solar lights any good?

A – I have seen this question everywhere, and the answer is yes and no. A few years ago, when the solar garden lights revolution was just beginning, they were expensive and poorly made. As with any product, they have developed, and most are of good quality. Also, as with any other type of product, there are still companies that put out poor quality lights, but finding lights that have a lot of really good customer reviews is easier now, so staying away from poor quality products is much easier.

Q – Are solar lights more expensive to purchase than low voltage lighting?

A – That used to be the case, but not any more. You already know that they are cheaper to run, because they don’t use up electricity, but they are actually cheaper to buy now too. An easy example would be to take a set of low voltage lights and solar lights from the same manufacturer and compare them head to head.

Q – What kind of maintenance should I be expected to perform on them?

A – Not much, actually. Most types of outdoor solar lights are built so that you do not need to do anything more than wipe off the panels every once in a while. If they use LED bulbs (as most do), the bulbs will typically last for 10,000 to 50,000 hours – depending on the model. As for the batteries, they will also usually last for the lifetime of the fixture. If your batteries  do happen to die, they are usually pretty easy to replace.

Q – How long should the lights stay lit at night?

A – This also depends on the model. As a rule of thumb – the brighter the lights, the less time it will stay lit. Let’s take an example from each extreme of the spectrum. Solar security lights are very bright, but are only meant to stay lit for a couple of minutes at a time, when they detect motion in the area. On the other hand, solar accent lights have a faint glow and can easily last all night on even a 75% or so charge. On average, your typical garden path light should last for about 10 hours or so, on a full charge.

Q – Are solar lights as bright as conventional lighting?

A – Typically, no, they are not. Using the logic from the above question, they can be as bright, but they will not stay lit as long. The exception to this rule is when you have lights that have a separate panel and power storage device. If you can convert enough sunlight into energy, and have a place to store that energy, you can (in theory) light a path to the moon.

Q – How do I know how bright the lights are going to be?

A – The easiest way that I have found to make sure you get the right “brightness” out of your lights is to go to a hardware store and check out the flashlight isle. Compare the lumens of different LED flashlights. Now compare that info to the lumen ratings of different light fixtures and picking out the right lights for your landscape should be easy.

Q – Why are my solar lights flickering?

A – This is something that happens from time to time (thankfully not too often). Usually, when this happens, it is due to either a wiring short, or the lighting sensor getting unreliable information. There are a few things that you should check. The first thing to try is cleaning your panels. Often, the sensor that decides whether it is day or night is built into the solar panel. If the panel is dirty the lights might be trying to decide whether it is day or night. Another possibility is that some moisture got its way into the fixture and is playing havoc with the wiring. Bring the light inside, disassemble the fixture, remove the batteries, and try to air it out.  Look for any loose wires while you are at it. If neither of these works, you may need to replace the fixture.

Q – How do I decide whether or not solar lights are for me?

A – The biggest consideration is the amount of sunlight you regularly get. If you live in a relatively sunny area, and are looking for an eco-friendly way to light up your property, solar lights are your best bet.  At any rate, you will want to check out all of the questions above, and other articles on this site as well. If there are other questions that I did not cover here, please ask them in a comment, or by using the contact form and I will add them to this solar lights FAQ.

Many people are unaware that a party at home can be just as delightful, even more so, than a party held at an outside venue.  Because you are hosting from home, you feel more comfortable, and your guests will sense this and feel more at ease. Catering can be arranged if you don’t want the hassle of using your own kitchen, and the party will likely work out cheaper as a result – not to mention more personalized.

Also, because you are hosting your party on your own patio, you can choose to go later into the evening than if you were holding a party at a hired venue. With solar patio lights you can add lighting, fun, festivity and elegance to the evening and night-time party atmosphere, without adding to your household lighting bill. They can also be installed in a jiffy even if you have only very little DIY skill.

Here some great patio lighting ideas

Many people who have a patio or deck also have a pool. Some choose to cover their pool for a party, feeling it unnecessary to display an expanse of plain water. But why not make a centerpiece of it, rather than hiding it away?  Floating solar lights that are made for the water come in all shapes and sizes, some large, some small, but all adding intrigue to the setting.  An intimate atmosphere can be attained by utilizing many tiny “floating candles” powered by solar lighting technology, or perhaps you prefer the timeless look of white floating lotus or ‘lilypad’ solar lighting, or the fun look of the jellyfish-shaped solar lights that have optical fiber tentacles, bobbing around mysteriously in the water. Not to mention the solar powered lights which can be obtained that are shaped like glowing orbs of many colors, even changing colors – ideal for lighting the paths, especially if there is a pool edge which guests need to be aware of.

Solar garden lights come in the shape of tulips to glow gently in amongst your patio-edging flower beds, illuminating your floral arrangements or box hedging and lending them all new moonlight hues. Other unusual solar patio lights include the snail, with a golden and intricate shell illuminated with warm golden light.

The sun jar is an irresistible type of solar patio lighting, with its appealing portability and ease of use. Looking just like a normal pantry jar in broad daylight, it is left to gather the sun’s rays during the daylight hours, and as the night comes on it begins to shine in a gentle shade of yellow, just like magic. The sun jar patio lighting technology has become so popular that a moon jar can also be purchased now; these glow in a luminescent shade of blue and are sure to delight your guests, from the youngest child to the oldest centenarian!

Have you seen the solar patio lanterns that come on a string, or that can be hung on a string? Some of these appear as authentic Chinese lanterns, complete with paper coverings or a waterproof and weatherproof synthetic paper substitute. Glowing gently in magenta, aqua, canary gold and sea green, these solar lights bring the Oriental feel right into your own backyard patio.

We interviewed Nerida Robinson about the engagement party that she held in she and her fiancé’s home – a summer barbecue and drinks party, held out on the patio.  “I chose to use glass solar sting lights hung in the branches of my patio trees, which are quite tall but not overbearing. The glass solar string lights gave a fairy-like feeling of airiness to the whole patio, which was a feeling I was really going for – lightness, because that’s how Dave and I felt at the time – really light and carefree.” When asked if she chose other patio lighting as well, she replied, “Well, I didn’t want to buy lights which were going to use up more electricity. We were saving for the wedding, obviously, and weren’t too keen on being slugged by large lighting bills. But Dave and I are really into evening entertaining – and our house gets full sun all afternoon, which charges them really well – so we thought that solar lighting would be the way to go.  We’ve been married for five years now, and our solar patio lights are still going strong. We’ve definitely got out money’s worth.”

As you can see, patio lighting is so much more these days than those early (and rather clunky!) solar lights that you brought home from the hardware store and poked into the ground, which lasted for about 5 minutes after the sun went down! New bulb technology means that the charge from the sun holds for so much longer, giving you vibrant and lasting brightness well into the wee hours.

And just when you thought modern solar patio lighting meant you had to like modern fashions, think again.  We think one of the nicest applications of the solar patio light today is the traditional lamp-post form, complete with ornate brass or other metal, and lamp swinging gently from the upright post.

But don’t take out word for it – patio lights come in so many shapes and sizes. From inlaid “pavers” that shine from within the path itself, to glowing grapes and feather-like tree nets, solar powered patio lighting will light up your home and you evenings for many enjoyable years to come.