Types of outdoor solar lighting

Outdoor solar lights provide homeowners and property owners an

excellent alternative to electricity-powered outdoor lighting. Since these

lights use the power of the sun to function, people can significantly save

on energy costs.

Years ago, outside lighting was only a seasonal tradition for most homes

– limited to Christmas. However, exterior illumination has become a

major decorating motif and, in many cases, a true art form. Whether gas

light, LED lights, solar powered light or even old fashion hardwired

electrical bulbs, outside lights can add a completely new look to the home,

creating a warm and inviting first impression for guests.

There are several types of outdoor solar lighting, all of which contain the

same major components: lights, solar panels, storage batteries, and the

controller units, which is consist of timers and wiring systems. Depending

on the type of solar outdoor light used, the solar panels may be built in or

bought as a separate component. Solar panels are the devices responsible

for collecting the sun’s rays. They are made of photovoltaic cells, which

have the ability to convert rays of sunlight into electricity. Without the

photovoltaic cells, a solar powered outdoor lighting may not work.

The controller units of the solar lighting fixtures provide people easy

management of the lights. With these sensors, people can set the lights to

automatically turn on during the night and to automatically turn off

during the day. The lights of these fixtures are often made of LED or

Light Emitting Diodes, instead of lamps or bulbs. LED lights are known

to have a long life of 20 years, so people can be assured that they do not

need to change their lights even after a year of continuous usage.

Solar light models come in a myriad of designs and styles. They may

come in simple but functional designs or they can be decorative as to

provide more elegance and attractiveness to a certain part of the outdoors.

These lights may also come in different colors that create spectacular

views during the night. Not all outdoor solar products are created equal.

Depending on the LED used on them and the quality of their batteries,

they may or may not provide a long lasting illumination during the night.

Some fully charged fixtures might illuminate an area for as long as 12 to

15 hours while others may last only for a short period.

Changing out key lights with festival color lights will turn the elegantly

lighted home into an inviting winter wonderland for those parties. All that

is needed is to add fill lights – such as a few strings of colorful LED

lights or lighted cool gadgets – to round out the decorations. Even outside

wall lights can get into the spirit. A rope of LED lights on an outside wall

can be used to spell out the season’s greeting, and then easily be taken

down after the New Year.

Solar lights can be used anywhere in the outdoors. Common places where

these fixtures are installed include pathways, patios, driveways, front

yards, backyards and gardens. They may even be used as underwater

lighting fixtures in pools and fountains. Most often, they are used on

areas where electricity-powered lights are not practical for use.

Depending on the personal style of homeowners or property owners, solar

powered lights may be installed as hanging or standing features. They

may also be bought as wall attachments.