There are many advantages to adding solar lighting. They can be used for safety, security and decorative ambiance. They generally are simple to install and can be moved easily, are low maintenance and do not need wiring to your home’s electrical power. They use LED bulbs which are efficient and have a long lifetime. They come on automatically at dusk, or can be motion activated. They do need 5-6 hours of direct sunlight to store the energy in a battery for use after dark. What are the different types and uses?
Security Lighting can either provide continual light around the perimeter of the house, or be a flood lights activated by motion. Flood lights are typically attached at the edge of a roof with the small solar panel on the roof and used at an entrance or gate. If you park in the driveway, it may be better to get a reliable electrical unit that has a low light on at dusk and switches to high power when movement is detected. Cloudy days will not charge solar lights.
Walkway Lighting defines the pathway and increases safety. They come as a downward lit staked fixture that looks like a classic lantern or modern street light. or can be ground level puck lights (you do not want to step on them!). For stairs/steps, you might want to use a spotlight to light them up so there is less of a fall hazard. Some solar lights with the option of screwing them into a wall or a post.
Landscape Lighting can include the design strategies of uplighting trees or sculptures, silhouette lighting of bushes and wall wash lighting. They can come in decorative art in the shape of globes, flowers, angels, fairy light bushes, and the like. If there are trees and bushes that shade the area you want to illuminate at night, some units come wired with a separate solar panel that you can place it in a sunny spot to recharge the battery. Make sure the connection wire is long enough to reach from the panel to the solar light’s location.
Outdoor Living Lighting can add the practicality of more light or define a space with ambiance. String bulb lights can be hung around the perimeter of your patio or connect the house to a gazebo or pavilion. Rope lights or fairy lights (which look like smaller Christmas bulbs) add a special, fun look. Even tiki torches and candles are available in solar options.
Indoor solar tubes are popular to add natural light where there is no window, like in a bathroom or hallway. You can get a solar tube with a solar light inside that will come on at night to provide a moonlight effect. It may give enough of a glow of light so one may not need to turn on a light.
Though solar lights are considered to be good for the environment, there are some disadvantages. They will not work well after a cloudy day. They will dim/lose battery power over time, most likely accelerated by exposure to high heat, and parts are difficult to obtain. The batteries and electronic components are hazardous and need to be properly disposed. Ideally if they are recycled, that would be better for the environment.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. His not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see where they laid Him. Matthew 28: 5-6
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