Solar landscape lights work by using a small solar (photovoltaic or PV) panel to charge a battery that is (usually) built into the light fixture. During the day the sun charges the battery, which then supplies electricity to operate the solar landscape lights at night.
There are 2 major benefits with solar landscape lights:
1. Each light has its own battery, which removes the need to install wires and greatly reduces installation costs.
2. Solar lights have lower running costs because it is not connected to the domestic electricity supply.
The downsides are:
1. Solar landscape lights maintenance costs may be slightly higher than traditional lights, because of battery replacements.
2. Do not expect solar landscape lighting to be as bright as traditional, mains powered, low-voltage lighting.
Solar Light Operation and Location
Most solar landscape lights will run for several hours per night (when there has been good sunlight during the day). So you can expect your solar lights to run for most of the night during the summer, but less in the winter or during cloudy periods.
In these conditions, there just isn’t enough sunlight to fully charge the batteries. Light operation times in winter and cloudy periods may reduce by as much as 50 percent, depending on the number of hours of sunlight during the day.
So this means that solar landscape lighting is practical for use in most states, but it’s also important to consider where you plan to place the solar lights, because the key factor for any solar lighting application is the amount of sunlight that the PV panel will receive.If the PV panel is shaded by landscape features, trees, buildings etc. it can have a large impact on battery charging and the nightly operational window of your solar landscape lights will be reduced.
So if the locations where you want to put the solar lights does not receive a lot of sunlight you may need lights that separate the PV charger module from the light fitting itself.
Most solar landscape lights integrate the PV cell into the light fixture itself, but you can buy lights that separate the PV charger module from the lights. This makes getting maximum sunlight on the PV module easier, but it means you have to install wires which will increase running costs.
Buying Tips
Most solar landscape lights now use LED (light-emitting diode) light bulbs which produce brighter light, require less power and last significantly longer than old incandescent bulbs.
Solar lights now generally use nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal-hydride batteries, often is commonly available sizes such as AA. The new batteries are cheaper and take and hold a charge much better than the old lead-acid units.
Watch out for old solar light stocks, or cheap products because they may give poor light and limited run time. Also check with the manufacturer or the store on the availability of replacement bulbs and batteries. You want solar lights that use industry standard batteries and bulbs.
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