Choosing Solar Lighting Guide

Solar power technology is advancing at a rapid pace, providing better illumination at really affordable prices.

Unlike mains powered lighting, solar powered lights are simple to install. If you want to install lights in an area that doesn’t have a local 240 volt supply, solar powered lighting offers an affordable, solution.

Over the past few years, solar technology has advanced rapidly.

Illumination has been increased while simultaneously reducing power consumption through the use of LED bulbs. Until recently solar lights required hours of direct sunlight in order to function well.

The latest solar technology allows energy to be harvested much more efficiently in duller conditions. This technology is anticipated to continue to develop at a rapid pace.

Solar lighting comes in several different styles. Wall mounted lantern lights. Hung or post mounted lighting. Varied fairy light designs.

Decking lights, designed to be mounted in recesses within the deck itself. Spot lights for security applications with PIR sensors. Solar lights either contain an integrated solar panel or have a remote wired solar panel.

It will depend on the positioning of your lights as to which type of design is the best for you.

Smaller panels tend to be used in integrated solar lighting, which then require more light for a longer period in order to work efficiently.

Solar lights with external wired panels will usually charge faster and more efficiently because the panels can be larger and ideally placed.

Solar light performance can often be dramatically improved by replacing the factory fitted rechargeable batteries that come with your light units.

Fitting high performance batteries will make your solar lights work for longer.

Using Solar Correctly

Where you site your solar lights will determine how well they can work. Placing your lights so they can harvest sunlight for as long as possible will improve their performance.

Too much shade for your lights will reduce their performance significantly.

Performance will be reduced if trees or buildings cast a shadow over your lights, so try to position them for optimum conditions.

Product performance will improve as solar panel and battery technologies improve further. Solar light sales have been rising for several years and look set to continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Solar energy is free energy and not only reduces energy bills, but is less harmful for the planet and its finite resources.