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