May 14 2010
Outdoor Solar Lights
Save energy. Go green. It seems to be the catch phrase of this 21st century and is an excellent reason to use outdoor solar lights. Adding lighting the landscape has for many years meant increasing the family budget to cove the electricity to power those outdoor lights; however, the use of outdoor solar lights has changed that.
Solar powered lighting has been available for many years. Yet, it has only been in recent years that technology changed the look and longevity of outdoor solar lights. These lights can be as inexpensive or as expensive as the budget will allow. They can be purchased in plastic, stick in the ground, do-it-yourself versions or stainless steel, designer versions that require a landscape installation expert to install in order to make sure they are secure. Either way, they are powered by the sun and are less expensive in the end.
Using outdoor solar lights has spread beyond the homeowner. Solar powered lights can now be found in commercial installation to light up the area at night for security reasons. There are even some street and highway lights that are powered by the sun.
Outdoor solar lights are considered green or eco-friendly because they use an energy source that is renewable. During the daylight hours the solar panels on these lights collect the sun’s energy and send it to batteries that are installed in the lights. These batteries then power the low-voltage bulbs that have light sensors attached to them. The light sensors tell the lights to come on when the sun goes down and to turn off when it comes up again.
Many people mistakenly think outdoor solar lights have to be installed in direct sunlight. That is not entirely true. Outdoor solar lighting can be installed that has a solar panel attached to the light by a cord. The solar panel is installed in the sunlight. After it gathers the sun’s energy it sends it to the batteries that are located in the solar lighting, which is placed wherever the homeowner want is, as long as the cord reaches.
Outdoor solar lighting offers more than the convenience and money-saving aspect. It is also very low maintenance, requiring little more than keeping the solar panels free from dirt and debris. The batteries don’t have to be changed much more often than every few years and the bulbs are long lasting as well. Part of this is due to not having to remember to turn them off during the day that extends the life of the bulb.
Money saving and environment saving are both traits that make outdoor solar lighting the perfect choice for any family. These lights are easy to install and can be purchased within practically any budget.
-Sharon Chapman
Related posts: