Are Outdoor Solar Lights Bright Enough For Your Garden?

Are Outdoor Solar Powered Lights Bright Enough?

How solar powered lights work is evolving all the time. In the past two or three years the quality has made a quantum leap. Where as at one time the lights were not as bright as people expected and life expectancy of the solar panel was only two to three years before they would become defective. Nowadays the good quality solar lights are bright enough for almost any outdoor area and can transform the garden, lighting it for the whole evening. The best models will now last up to 20 Years!!

So how have these achievements been made? Well there are several factors;

• Each light contains a photovoltaic cell that captures the solar energy from the sun. To begin with you could only expect a capture rate of about 5% nowadays you can expect a capture rate of about 15%.

• The use of silicon in the photovoltaic cells has improve efficiency but other materials are now being experimented with which may also increase solar efficiency.

• Introduction of solid state LED bulbs. These bulbs are so much more efficient to our ordinary gas filled bulbs. Traditionally in a normal bulb are gas filled with a filament that produces heat as well as light. Solid State LED bulbs uses the technology that manipulates electrons moving them in a certain direction, this produces photons, and these photons are visible light!

• Solid state LED bulbs now last an incredible 10,000 hours, can work using on average 3 watts of power and are maintenance free.

As you can see you have to choose carefully but as a general note the higher quality of the solar garden product the better the quality of light

Solar Decking Lights

I am beginning to really get into where I can use solar power outside. We have just finished building a deck in our garden and have used solar uplighters to light some parts, this has proven to be really successful especially near the steps as they are continually lit and you don't need to worry about the 'trip hazzard'.

As it is the end of the season there seems to be some great offers to be had as some stores clear out their stock. I can fully recommend


greenfingers please see link at the bottom of the page


They have some great offers at the moment with lots of choice when it comes to solar lighting

Installation was so easy, just charge up the solar cells put light in chosen place and away you go, no wiring and no energy costs!

Guide to Outdoor Solar Lighting for Your Garden

Outdoor Garden Solar Lighting

Solar garden lighting and the use of solar outdoor lights can dramatically increase the aesthetic value of any garden project and is ideal for accentuating driveways, pathways and steps without any of the hassle and costs of electrical wiring as the solar batteries contained in the lights provide all the power needed. Solar lighting can also offer practical safety solutions in areas that would be difficult to wire.



Solar lights are ideal for marking pathways and garden features with a gentle glowing light but do not provide bright surrounding light just a gentle glow that can look very attractive in the garden once the sun has gone down.



There is also an enormous benefit to the environment if we use solar power. The solar landscape lights use rays from the sun to charge small integrated batteries. This is done by using small photovoltaic (PV) cells which provide the means to do this. The quality of the cells determines how bright and how long the light will run for. By using this renewable source of energy we are helping to reduce the effect of the constant use of fossil fuels.


Many solar landscape lights now use LED (light-emitting diode) light bulbs and nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal-hydride batteries. LED's produce brighter light, use much less electricity, and last significantly longer than the old incandescent bulbs. The new batteries take and hold a charge much better than the old lead-acid units. We have the cell phone industry to thank for that.


The standard of solar powered lights is improving immensely and the quality and variety of garden solar lights is increasing all the time. From individual solar lights that line pathways to solar spotlights that accentuate a point of interest to dear little solar powered fairy lights that look great for the summer barbecue and just as good at Christmas.


Solar garden lights require no wiring as they charge their inbuilt batteries through the daytime from the sun's rays (this means they are better placed in a sunny position although the better ones will still charge on an overcast day). Solar lights usually work by coming on automatically at dusk; some do have a manual over-ride switch.


Unfortunately Solar lights will not work fully and completely in a British winter as there is not enough sunlight to re-charge the batteries however there is usually sufficient power to last through the main part of the evening.


With more and more emphasis on renewable energy and reducing our carbon footprints outdoor solar powered lights are an ideal solution for our gardens and our pockets!


Practical Outdoor Solar Lighting


The versatility of solar lighting now means that you are able to light important areas outside. Small things like a keyhole light, great if you have trouble finding the keyhole of the house or shed when its dark! Or you can buy a complete solar lighting kit that will provide light for your shed, workshop or summerhouse and much cheaper than the expense of electrical wiring.


Solar lights placed along paths can improve safety in the garden as they will highlight trip hazards etc, this could be invaluable for the elderly and create piece of mind as you do not have to worry about power cuts!


Solar landscape lights come in a variety of styles and finishes, including pewter, stainless steel, sand finishes, ticki torch styles and more. Easy to shop for online, the myriad number of styles available means there is something for every taste.


Decorative Outdoor Lighting



With us spending more and more time in our gardens decorative solar lighting is becoming an invaluable aid to lighting the garden during the evenings, there are solar path lights, solar lanterns to hang on trees or stand on the patio, solar lights that change colour, fairy lights to transform a bush or tree (think how difficult it would be to get electric to that part of the garden!) There is now even a range of Christmas lighting. One interesting find is a solar insect theatre, made of wood it attracts insects during the evening and you can watch them dance in front of the light.



Installation


Solar garden lighting is extremely easy to install as all you really have to do is decide where you would like to place the solar light outdoors, open the box and pop it in position. There are occassions where you may need a screwdriver and also cicumstances where you my need to charge the solar battery fully for 24 - 48 hours before use other than that you are up and running and the lights will even turn on automatically for you!


Durability


The design of the solar garden lights are always improving with strong casings and PV & LED cells that perform better in lower levels of sunlight. Some contain AA type rechargeable batteries that need to be replaced evey two years whilst more superior garden solar lighting contain built in batteries that will last over 10 years.


Outdoor Garden Solar Lighting is certainly the way forward on many fronts as it makes economic sense (no electricity charges), is easily maintained, lasts for many years and above all is environmentally friendly.