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 (in most cases) there is no wiring involved at all. With low voltage landscape lighting, wiring is needed to run from the lights to an external power source in order to function,even though the voltage level is very low and relatively safe. But solar lighting is powered entirely by sunlight. That means no wires! With outdoor solar lights, each light contains a specifically designed solar collection panel that gathers energy during the day, stores it up in rechargeable batteries, and then uses that energy to power the lights at night. This means they are perfect for solar security lights or just any other application that you can think of.

Some of the places that you can install outdoor solar lights are darkened areas of your walkway or steps (it’s nice to see where you’re walking at night), the entrance to your driveway, as decoration for your wood deck or landscaping, and perhaps to 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 to 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! You just need to make sure that each light will be in a location where it will get an adequate amount of sunlight each day in order to properly charge the batteries. Most solar lights are able to last up to 15 hours on a fully charged set of batteries.

One thing you should know before you choose outdoor solar lights is that the light that is emitted is not 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 as many of them LED technology that can create almost any tone or color. With these choices comes 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 is you can see, a solar outdoor lighting system is quick and easy to install, 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 thе small solar panels оn thе top wіth water to mаkе ѕurе thеу 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 nеxt mission, ѕhоuld уоu choose tо accept іt іѕ tо find thе culprit, аnd mоѕt оf thе time thе rechargeable batteries іnѕіdе уоur 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 thеіr full capacity. Tо replace thеm јuѕt follow thе steps bellow:

Disassemble уоur outdoor solar lights

In mоѕt cases you’ll find fеw screws undеr thе light fixtures. Remove thеm 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 уоur nеw set оf rechargeable batteries, уоu hаvе twо choices:

- If уоu hаvе а universal battery charger уоu саn charge thеm bеfоrе installation ѕо уour solar lights аrе ready tо operate fast.
- If nоt іn а hurry, јuѕt install thе nеw set аnd уоur solar powered lights ѕhоuld bе fully charged аftеr а couple оf days аnd ready tо run properly.

Congratulations, mission accomplished! Yоur outdoor solar lights аrе lіkе nеw nоw аnd ѕhоuld operate trouble-free fоr аn additional couple оf years.

More on how solar lights work

Reducing thіѕ energy consumption saves electricity costs аnd increases renewable energy demand. Wіth mаnу states enacting plans tо rely mоrе heavily оn renewable energy, solar lighting іѕ оnе avenue tо meet thеѕе goals. It’s аlѕо handy fоr remote construction аnd work crews whо depend оn diesel-powered generators.

Outdoor solar lights саn replace аnу 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 аnd public parking lots іn Florida аnd San Diego аrе lit uѕіng solar panels and solar street lights are used more often.rs 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.

If уоu аrе а dog aficionado, thеrе іѕ а yellow dog, black Labrador, а boxer аnd а British bulldog аnd thеу аrе holding а solar lantern. Thеу асtuаllу lооk lіkе а dog sitting оut іn уоur yard аnd thеу аrе holding а lantern іn thеіr mouths.

Outdoor solar lights саn bе mоrе fun thаn 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, whіlе uѕіng оnlу 125 kWh tо light thеіr surroundings. Thе extra electricity іѕ put bасk іntо thе grid fоr uѕе elsewhere.

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

In еvеrу sector оf thе economy, energy efficiency іѕ gaining importance bоth аѕ а cost-saving solution аnd аѕ а wау tо meet efficiency goals.
Supporting уоur local community’s efforts tо replace inefficient outdoor lighting wіth solar technology wіll increase thе chances of adopting solar lighting on a large scale.

Understanding LED Technology as Used in Solar Lighting

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.

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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 lights are vastly superior to conventional utility produced 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 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 Sun Run, complete with infographic:

Solar panel technology has changed little since it’s inception in 1894. Certain refinements have increased output and produced higher efficiencies, 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.

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 SunRun

Thanks, guys, for the awesome contribution!

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 Lighting

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.

Click Here to check our selection of solar lights

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Domestic power systems 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.

Selecting your solar power system

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

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 mag and 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 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.

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. Another popular use is for outdoor Christmas displays. For example, many people use solar powered fairy lights. These are individual bulbs strung together on a string, 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.

Click Here to check our solar string lights and solar rope lights

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.

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.

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.

You can check our decorative solar lights by clicking Here

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.

Landscaping creates a whole range of features which can be highlighted in many different ways. You can have a lot of fun experimenting with different lighting arrangements, and be prepared to be startled by what’s possible. The combination of light and shadows can produce a whole new landscape at night.

Solar lighting choices

The typical all purpose solar stake lights are definitely the cheapest, and often the most appropriate, choice of lights wherever you need them. They’re also good for highlighting hazards at night, and things like making keyholes more visible after long nights and good food.

The novelty and designer lights are another thing altogether. Some of these lights are brilliant and very well designed. Others are in the “garden gnome” category, definitely not everyone’s taste. More to the point in a practical sense, they also can’t be put everywhere, and the designs can actually block light. They light themselves up quite well, but nothing else.

It’s advisable to be cautious with your solar light buying. In terms of value for the money, be picky, because this is an emerging market, with a lot of good new designs coming onstream every day. The only exception to this rule is when you need heavy duty lighting, where it’s definitely worth spending money on quality; particularly the bigger lights. The big, powerful lights are perfect for practically any purpose, and fabulous as pool party or al fresco dining lights. If you were wondering where the incredible lighting in some movies comes from, it’s from lights like these.

Aesthetic lighting options

The different types of solar lighting are almost theatrical, but better in a good landscape:

Backlighting: Lights behind features produce extraordinary effects. Trees and branches achieve an almost Japanese/Chinese effect. Behind bamboo, the lighting looks like a good pen and ink drawing. The light produces strong contrasts, creating the effect. Backlighting also doesn’t intrude on moonlight, so you can get the best of both effects.

Spots: Baby spots are perfect for night settings. They’re also easy to set up, with minimal effort, so you can really work with different options.  Solar spot lights can be used to highlight specific sites, as well as security lighting for video cameras and with sensor triggers.

Water features: If you have a great water feature, like a lotus pool, with big plants and multi colored foliage, you can achieve a fantastic effect with solar lighting. Whether you use high power lights or the demure, soft lights, you’ll get a rainbow at night, complete with full colors. The water reacts well to these lights – an added effect.

Solar lights and reflective surfaces: If you’ve got good stone or building faces, they’ll act as great foils for your lights, softening and toning them. More color effects, and a beautiful palette when you’re lighting natural stone.

These are, of course, but a few different ways to be creative. You can find other ideas in our Easy Solar Lights Projects article. We also have a great article on making sure you are getting the right light for the job at How to Choose Outdoor Solar Lights. Grab your solar lights, and have a ball!

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.

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.

What you can do with them
Every time I think about 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.

To check our complete solar spots lights selection just Click Here

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.

Outdoor Solar Lights

This site is filled with 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.

The fact that they do not use up any of your home’s electricity means that they cost literally nothing to run. As long as they 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 it detects light again, and automatically turn back off. 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 solar lighting.  They 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 at 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. 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 pipe, glue, and fittings. Use the pipe as a wiring conduit. This will protect them 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 solar lighting 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 so worried about 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 that allows them to run only at certain times of the evening. Leaving them on all night could cost you more than a few dollars.

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

You. may have heard of PV’s being traditionally used for small wristwatches and calculators. These systems are becoming more and more complex and can now be used in many new areas such as: water pumps, communication systems, large appliances and outdoor lighting such as parking lots, street lights, etc.

Solar cells do not actually store any energy. In fact the energy is used up almost immediately unless it is stored in a rechargeable battery. These batteries store the electrical energy for later use.

Now that you know a little more about the basics of solar cells, how do they work in simple outdoor solar lights? Again, the sun charges the solar panel which is stored in rechargeable batteries. If the solar light has been charged with a full days sunlight, they can usually last from 8-10 hours at dark. Of course the amount of sunlight during the day, the time of year and where you have placed your light all have a bearing on how bright and how long your solar lights will shine. Never replace a rechargeable battery with a non-rechargeable battery. This could cause irreparable damage to the unit.

Don’t let those rainy or cloudy days make your solar lights less usable. With new technology in this area, you may now be able to find solar lights that can also be charged through your computer with a USB cable. In some instances you can even get an adapter so you can plug it into your wall plug.

There are so many advantages in using solar power as an alternative energy source. The only cost is your initial outlay for the solar product itself. No wiring, fast and easy to install, environmentally friendly, helps save our planets resources, can be placed far or near.

Now that you know a little more about solar energy, there is no reason not to consider using beautiful solar powered lights in your landscape design.

Look for many types and designs of solar lights at www.clean-energies.org

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. They 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 solar yard 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.

Visit Clean Energies Store and check our selection

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. You can get great solar pathway lights from Clean Energies Store

Once they 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.

Solar Spot lights

Just about every house I have ever seen has dark corners at night. A good idea might be to place one solar light 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 or deck when planning their landscape lighting projects. Placing some pathway lights along your patio fence line will do a lot to liven up your patio area for evening get-together. They also work well when put in raised planters and other areas of your patio.

Solar Decorative Lights

They 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 flower 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 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. They 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 of them 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.

See you next time.

Wiring a large yard with landscape lighting is often cost prohibitive and does not allow an individual to modify or alter their original lay-out without investing further in junction and power boxes. Changing designs, lighting, etc., is time-consuming and difficult to accomplish. However, with the advent of multiple solar options, it is now possible to move, add, alter, or adjust solar lights throughout the garden with minimal planning and effort.

Choosing landscape lighting for a large garden will require planning of the initial lay-out of the garden and calculating the type of solar energy that will be most effective for the yard. Some of the pathway lighting may be effectively installed using smaller solar lights that are independently controlled. However, adding enhancing up and low lights in the far corners of a yard may require a bit of organization and a different type of solar panel or control center.

The options available in solar pathway lighting have changed dramatically over the last few years. It is now possible to have both decorative and functional solar lighting that can create either a soft glow or clearly visible direct lighting with the flip of a switch. Many people add tall lamp posts that match the pathway lighting to areas of the garden that will contain benches, fountains, or other dramatic features.

One option is to have all of the lighting powered by a single solar panel that is placed discreetly in a corner of the garden. This allows for unique placement of lighting in areas that would not normally be able to provide energy due to shade or cover. Wiring (similar to electrical wiring) runs from the main solar control panel to the primary light. When using a combination of independent solar controlled lighting and a solar control panel, it will be necessary to research the details for successful integration of these two types of systems.

In most cases, the larger control panel will be used for lights and lamps that will be required to provide more direct lighting for individuals spending time in the garden. These lights often run through specific quadrants of the garden which enables movement of lighting more effectively.

Talking to professionals who have experience in the layout and design of solar landscape lighting systems in yards will be very helpful. They will be able to give you information and details on the solar garden lights that will be most effective and functional in the space you are designing. In addition, there will be some issues that may be unique to your garden area that will need to be addressed prior to installing the lighting.

I always recommend first sketching out the layout, taking pictures of the area in different lighting conditions, and coming up with a solid plan before you start with even your first light. There are literally hundreds of combinations that you can use to create almost any effect. Good luck and have fun with your new solar garden!

*Thanks to The Light Garden for the use of their image in this article.

You can visit our online store by clicking Here

When you’re installing your solar lights, the first thing that you need to do is look as where you want to put the lights in your yard. Go outside at night with a flashlight and see how different lighting effects will look on your flowers, trees, and house. Experiment with different angles, locations, and beams of light from the flashlight to see what works best. Make a mental note of where you’d like to put the lights and when you go back inside sketch out on paper where you’d like to put the lights.

Now, before you run out and buy outdoor solar lighting fixtures, you need to make sure the location you chose is fit for a solar light. Go outside during the day and see if the area is under shade. Don’t just do this at one point during the day either! Look at several different times because the sun and shadows move across your yard throughout the day. Any place that you plan to stick a solar light should have access to direct sunlight for several hours a day.

While it is possible to place a light in the shade, if you do you likely won’t be happy with it, even if it is a quality light fixture. The light will most likely work fine at first, but because it will be in the shade during the day, it won’t be able to completely recharge it’s battery before the sun sets. When this happens day after day, the battery in the light gets stressed and loses its capacity sooner. This means your lights will start turning off sooner and sooner throughout the night as they age and you’ll be left wondering why you ever got suckered into the solar light fad anyway.

Solar garden lighting is easy to install, but only if you do the proper preparation to make sure that you place them in the right areas. If you do end up wanting to install a light in an area where there is shade, don’t fret though. You can always install a few low voltage light fixtures in your yard and make the rest solar powered for a great hybrid system!

Visit http://www.clean-energies.org for a great selection of solar lights

In the past, solar lights were considered a luxury for the elite environmentalist 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 lights, but the photo-voltaic cells in numerous lights can work together as a network to create a storage well that can power several solar post lights for days if the battery is charged fully. This is made possible by a larger surface area available in many modern lights, which results in better conversion of the sun’s UV rays into usable energy.

Most people shop for solar post lights for economical reasons. They are looking for ways to beautify and improve their home, while saving money on their electricity bill. When looked at in this regard, solar lighting is an economical decision in the long run. While the initial installation of a network of solar lights for landscaping purposes might be more than traditional incandescent lighting, the plus side is that further down the line, you will save money on electricity and maintenance costs, since solar lights require the least maintenance out of the major types of lighting designed to be used in landscaping.

Choosing Lighting Types For Your Situation

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, so consider this when planning your lit space. For lights designed with a high output, you should expect only a few hours of high quality lighting before they begin to dim.

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 is a cell in itself with all the components contained within the lights, but some kits feature wireless connectivity that can send a signal to all the lights, letting them know at what time in the day they should turn on. This requires a little bit more planning that sticking your lights where ever you want them, as you need to take the frequency of the receiver into account, as well as whether or not your area gets enough sun.

The standard cost for solar post lights depends on the style you get, but most average around  $150 to 300 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 once the solar lights are installed, they are not consuming any electricity whatsoever, making them a better value in the long run.

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, depending on their luminosity. If you live in an area that does not receive much sunlight, you may want to reconsider the purchase of solar lights as 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, as well. Most home improvement stores have a section that displays solar light luminosity, so use this as a guide for choosing the correct lighting for your situation.

Don’t forget to check out our Solar Lights Store for awesome deals on solar post lights.

Solar lighting is becoming very popular with everyone trying to conserve electricity as much as possible. With the price of solar panels and equipment becoming more advanced every year, the types of equipment that can be powered by solar energy grow exponentially.

As a result, a wide variety of solar lights for your deck and patio area are available. In many cases they blend right into the surface, and in other cases where you want them to stand out for design purposes there are a number of very attractive models available.

One popular category of solar deck lighting include the hanging style lights and solar post caps. Models like the Kettle Lantern LED solar light set are intended to be mounted either in the ground beside the deck or along the railing. The lantern is then suspended on a tall rod and hangs over the edge of your deck to provide good lighting. No wiring is required, and the solar panel converts sunlight into electricity to charge the rechargeable battery during the day.

Another type are the solar rope lights and solar string lights with a long line of light bulbs much like a string of Christmas lights. A built in light sensor is attached to the end of the string, as well as an automatic on/off switch. The small solar panel is then staked into the ground nearby where it is virtually hidden from view.

Hanging chime style lights are becoming very trendy if you like the sound of the chimes as the wind blows. These lights usually hang just like a normal wind chime, but they have a light bulb hanging amongst the chimes, as well as the hidden solar panel.

Finally, there is the newer style of solar lighting that can be mounted flush into the surface of your deck, deck stairs, or railing posts. These are typically a little more work to install, but can be very attractive. The pricing is getting better, although you should pay a little more to buy the high quality lights since these will often be placed in high traffic areas.

Obviously you need some sunlight every once in a while to recharge the solar batteries, but assuming most people get some sunshine these  deck lights are very economical. They are generally much easier to install than hard wired lighting, and very economical today.