May 07 2010
Solar Garden Lights
In recent years the push to be more environmentally friendly or ‘’green” has made people consider alternatives to their outdoor garden lights powered by electricity. This has made solar garden lights more popular than ever and available in more styles than ever.
Most solar garden lights require little more than sticking them in the ground and waiting for the sunlight to power them. They come with built-in solar panels that absorb the sun’s power and then light up when darkness comes. Others have a solar panel that can be placed away from the light and still power the light after absorbing the power from the sun during the day.
Solar garden lights typically have a long life and when they do run out of power the batteries are usually replaceable. The light that solar lights put off at night usually lasts all night long due to the use of the nickel cadmium batteries that are used in them.
Sunflower Solar Light Photo by Crystal Church
Homeowners will appreciate the ease of maintenance when using solar garden lighting. The sun provides the power for the lighting, the batteries last for many years before they need to be replaced. The only minor maintenance that might be necessary is cleaning the solar panels when they become dusty so that they are able to absorb as much of the sun’s power as possible.
Contrary to popular belief, solar powered garden lights can be used in places that don’t have much sunlight during the day if the proper type of light is chosen. There are solar garden lights that have their solar panels placed away from the light and attached to it via cords that send the power to the light. These cords can be discreetly hidden in the landscape to keep the natural beauty and still showcase the solar lighting.
Originally solar powered garden lighting was not as attractive as its electrical counterparts were; however, that has drastically changed and the variety of solar garden lighting designs is immense. There are solar powered garden globes as well as the traditional look of post lights and pathway lighting powered by the sun.
Water fixtures are not abandoned when it comes to solar lighting, in fact they might have an advantage due to not needing an electrical contractor work around the water. Solar lighting for water fixtures can be found in floating water lights as well as built in underwater lights that are solar powered.
Deck lighting, water lighting, pathway lighting, porch lighting and practically any other garden light can be installed in the form of solar garden lights. There are many websites and lighting specialty companies that are dedicated to solar lighting. These companies can help create a garden lighting plan that doesn’t rely on electricity and at the same time creates the ambience and feel that is desired in the garden. Going “green” in the garden is as simple as reaching for the sun and seeing the stars light up at night.
-Sharon Chapman
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