What do you think of when someone says "solar lights"? Quite a few of us will get an image in our head of the old "first generation" solar lights that were really plain looking; with big, bulky solar panels that just screamed "ugly". It turns out that solar lighting has evolved quite a bit in its technology. Most solar lights now have rechargeable (Ni-cad) batteries built into them that store their charge. The photovoltaic cells (solar cells) are able to gather much more energy from a much smaller design, and the bulbs are usually made from LED's which use less energy to produce more light. This makes them much more efficient than incandescent or florescent bulbs.
As solar technology advanced, manufacturers began experimenting with different styles and uses for solar lights. Solar path lights are now so compact, that you literally need to do nothing more than take the light fixture out of the box and stick it in the ground. The light, solar cells and batteries are in one small unit. Solar accent lights are installed just as easily and come in an array of beautiful designs that will add beauty to your landscaping during the day, as well as illuminate it at night. Solar security lights can simply be mounted on a wall on the outside of your home, without the use of any external wiring. They even come with motion sensors that allow them to turn on when they detect any movement within their range.
Using solar lighting for your home landscaping has many benefits. One big advantage is that they are wireless. Having no wires really makes solar lights simple to install. As long as the location you picked for them has access to adequate sunlight, you are good to go. If not, you can get solar lights that come with an external panel that can be mounted in a nearby, sunny spot. Even then, there is really no wiring - just a single wire from the light to a small panel.
Another advantage is that they are 100% maintenance free. Solar lights are truly "set-and-forget" technology. The batteries and bulbs should last as long as the fixture does. In fact if either of them gives out, the fixtures have become so inexpensive that it makes sense to just replace the light fixture. Just mount the light where you want it and let it do what it does without any worries.
Perhaps the greatest advantage of using solar lights is that they are powered by the sun (renewable energy). Non-renewable energy is getting harder to come by and expensive. The earth has a limited amount of natural resources and we are running out of them. Solar lighting uses up no natural resources and is good for our environment. Since they cost no money to operate, they are great for your wallet as well.
The benefits of using solar lighting are numerous, and we have touched on some of them here. Solar technology will continue to develop, and as it does solar lights will become more efficient and less costly to produce. Here's to saving money and the planet! Cheers! - 30228
As solar technology advanced, manufacturers began experimenting with different styles and uses for solar lights. Solar path lights are now so compact, that you literally need to do nothing more than take the light fixture out of the box and stick it in the ground. The light, solar cells and batteries are in one small unit. Solar accent lights are installed just as easily and come in an array of beautiful designs that will add beauty to your landscaping during the day, as well as illuminate it at night. Solar security lights can simply be mounted on a wall on the outside of your home, without the use of any external wiring. They even come with motion sensors that allow them to turn on when they detect any movement within their range.
Using solar lighting for your home landscaping has many benefits. One big advantage is that they are wireless. Having no wires really makes solar lights simple to install. As long as the location you picked for them has access to adequate sunlight, you are good to go. If not, you can get solar lights that come with an external panel that can be mounted in a nearby, sunny spot. Even then, there is really no wiring - just a single wire from the light to a small panel.
Another advantage is that they are 100% maintenance free. Solar lights are truly "set-and-forget" technology. The batteries and bulbs should last as long as the fixture does. In fact if either of them gives out, the fixtures have become so inexpensive that it makes sense to just replace the light fixture. Just mount the light where you want it and let it do what it does without any worries.
Perhaps the greatest advantage of using solar lights is that they are powered by the sun (renewable energy). Non-renewable energy is getting harder to come by and expensive. The earth has a limited amount of natural resources and we are running out of them. Solar lighting uses up no natural resources and is good for our environment. Since they cost no money to operate, they are great for your wallet as well.
The benefits of using solar lighting are numerous, and we have touched on some of them here. Solar technology will continue to develop, and as it does solar lights will become more efficient and less costly to produce. Here's to saving money and the planet! Cheers! - 30228
About the Author:
Learn more about solar lighting. Head over to Steve Schafer's site where you can find out all about Solar Technology and what it can do for you.
