IKEA Solar Outdoor Lights
Filed Under IKEA Solar Outdoor Lights, Solar Landscape Lighting | Leave a Comment
Ikea now offers a range of solar lights - “Solvinden” for outdoor applications and “Sunnan” for indoor use. The range includes outdoor posts, strings of paper lanterns, accent lighting, pathway globes, a solar powered desk lamp and table lanterns.
See http://www.ikea.com/aa/en/search/?query=solar+lights
All the lights work on the same principle — they use LEDs and store solar power in replaceable and rechargeable batteries, so they’re simple to install and no external wiring is required, just place them on the ground and let them soak up the energy.
The LEDs consume 70% less energy and last up to 4 times as long as regular bulbs. They’re small and light enough that you can take them with you on camping trips, or even use them indoors.
Prices are reasonable as all Ikea products are and start at $9.95 for a single bollard light.
Outdoor Solar Lighting
Filed Under Outdoor Solar Lighting, Solar Landscape Lighting | Leave a Comment
Almost all outdoor solar-powered lighting now uses long-life LED technology to provide the lighting.
There is an idea that one day we will all be able to use free electricity from the sun. This is a seductive promise that is harder to put into practice, but solar powered outdoor lights are a step in the right direction.
On a bright, sunny day, the sun’s energy generates approximately 1,000 watts of energy per square meter of the planet’s surface. The goal is to find an affordable technology that enables us to collect all of that energy so we can get power for free.
The benefits of LEDs are that they are rated for over 20 years, meaning they should last that long before needing replacement.
However, you will certainly need to change the re-chargeable batteries that power the lights several times in that period.
Generally speaking outdoor solar-powered lighting is the most sustainable means to provide exterior illumination. Outdoor solar lighting is also easy to install and work on.
All you have is a solar panel which is attached to the lighting fixture, plus batteries to store the solar electricity generated. There are no mains connections or cables to run, so you don’t need an expensive, skilled contractor to install solar lighting.
In summary, solar lighting for your home and garden makes great sense because it is fast and easy to install with no wires and no electricity costs. Its safe, simple and there are many fixture designs to choose from.
Outdoor solar lights are now available with the the same range of features as mains powered lights. This includes security lights with motion sensors.
The only exception is for high powered, spotlight lapplications, where the power drain is too great on the batteries. Hence, these lights will need to be mains connected.