| If you need outdoor lightning in places where | | | | landscape environments. Compared to |
| there is no regular power source or the power | | | | conventional 12V and 120V outdoor lights, solar |
| source is difficult to reach than solar power lights | | | | powered outdoor lights have great electric |
| can be the answer. The solar power lights can be | | | | consumption cost savings! Solar cells collect light |
| used to provide accent lightning. There types of | | | | during the day and recharge its lithium batteries. |
| solar power lights that light up brightly but others | | | | With light sensors, these lights automatically turn |
| don't. Although the lights are getting better you | | | | on at dusk. Normal operating time is 8-10 hours |
| must not think of these lights to be as bright as | | | | when fully charged. Lights automatically recharge |
| regular powered light. | | | | during the next day. Types of outdoor lights may |
| To make the solar powered light shine brightly | | | | include hanging lights, wall mounted lamps, or even |
| you need sunshine of course. More sunshine is | | | | low post lamps. |
| better, when it is cloudy, rainy, or during winter | | | | 2) Garden Lights |
| they perform less. At least 8 hours of sunshine | | | | Solar powered garden lights emit a light that is |
| and fully charged batteries will make solar | | | | luminous enough to accent plants. The designs of |
| powered lights powerful enough. | | | | these lights are also good enough to complement |
| Most solar powered lighting kits are not as bright | | | | the plant designs. These can be wonderful garden |
| as low voltage, electric powered lights. But new | | | | decorations. Some lights have been designed to |
| models can adequately highlight plants, mark a | | | | look like mushrooms, dwarves, birds, flowers, and |
| path, or provide simple security. Solar powered | | | | other natural elements of the garden. Other lights |
| lights need no wires, what is a big advantage. | | | | are designed to be nice complements to a garden. |
| Everybody who has placed traditional lightning | | | | Most garden lights are low lights that are usually |
| themselves will see advantage. Just put them on | | | | on the ground. |
| the ground, and move them anytime you wish. | | | | 3) These lights use a small, photovoltaic (PV) cell |
| Solar powered lights also use renewable energy | | | | to charge a battery that is integrated into the |
| and are non-pollutants. Solar powered lights have | | | | lighting fixture itself. After being charged by the |
| built-in light sensors that automatically turn off | | | | sun all day, the battery provides power to the |
| during the day and turn on at night. | | | | lamp to illuminate the landscapes during nightfall. |
| In the past, solar cells were (and many still are) | | | | These lights often provide the most powerful |
| very weak and could not hold a consistent charge | | | | illumination of the three types. |
| for more than a few hours. Now, solar lighting | | | | Landscape lights come in various styles. Some |
| designers and engineers have been able to use | | | | have decorative designs that are made of die |
| advanced light emitting diode lamps that draw | | | | case metal for durability and styling detail. Some |
| minimal current yet provide intense light output. | | | | may even resemble lamppost lighting fixtures that |
| LED lamps are so efficient that one lamp can last | | | | make some large landscapes look great! |
| for several years before being replaced. | | | | Always consider the surrounding geography of |
| In the new solar power lights the NiCAD (Nickel | | | | your home before planning where to put your |
| Cadmium) or NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) | | | | landscape lights. The most critical is the placement |
| rechargeable batteries are used to power solar | | | | of the PV panel since any interference to the cell |
| batteries. Under normal conditions these batteries | | | | will affect the performance of the landscape lights. |
| can last for one year. After that year you can | | | | Make sure that the PV panel will be placed in a |
| replace them when needed. | | | | spot where virtually nothing will cover it so it can |
| The three most common uses of solar lights are: | | | | absorb the maximum amount of sunlight. If your |
| 1) Outdoor Lights | | | | area is full of trees and surrounding buildings, solar |
| This is the simplest and safest way to light | | | | powered landscape lights may not be for you. |