What is Solar Lighting?
Simply put, solar lighting is the safest and easiest kind of outdoor lighting to install. Each light fixture contains a scientifically designed solar collector panel that converts daytime-sunlight into electrical energy. This energy is stored in highly efficient rechargeable batteries, used to light the fixture at night.
No Wiring!
Each solar light operates independently from others without the need of a transformer and wiring. This makes solar lighting especially suitable for use in remote areas and locations near water.
Solar lights utilize the latest "L.E.D" technology and provide sufficient light to mark entrances, accent walkways and steps and indicate the locations of darkened obstacles at night.
Suggested Applications
- Mark entrances to long driveways
- Accent darkened steps and curbing
- Outline winding walkways
- Decorate patios, decks and flower beds
- Highlight remote garden paths
- Indicate fish ponds and swimming pools
Solar Questions and Answers
Q: How do solar lights store energy and how do they work?
Solar lights have a built in solar panel and charging circuit that store energy in rechargeable batteries. They operate in much the same way as rechargeable flashlights operate, except the sun provides the needed electrical energy rather than plugging the unit into an outlet.
Q: How long do solar lights stay on?
The length of time that the lights stay on is dependent on the amount of sunlight received during the day. Most solar lights stay lit for up to 15 hours with fully charged batteries.
Q: What advantages do solar lights offer?
They require no wiring and are very easy to install. And because they run off the sun's energy, they cost nothing to operate. That means they also are environmentally friendly.
Q: Is lower light output considered a disadvantage?
The lights are usually not as bright as other forms of outdoor landscape lighting. Some people think this is a disadvantage. However, others welcome the softer, more subtle light output that these fixtures are specifically designed for.
Q: I live in an area with sunny summers and cloudy, harsh winters. Do solar lights make sense for me?
While the fixtures themselves are designed for use in most weather conditions, the on times can be adversely affected in the winter. Because they install so easily many people store them in the fall and simply put them out again in the spring.
Q: What sort of maintenance will I need to be concerned with?
Other than replacing the batteries, there is not really much that can go wrong from a functioning standpoint.
Q: How often do the batteries need replacing?
The batteries are designed to withstand a minimum of 1000 deep discharges, which is at least 1000 nights of light. They are readily available and easy to replace Ni-Cad rechargeable batteries.
Q. I have everything wired and ready for some low volt fixtures in my basement. My questions are, can I run two 50 watt fixtures off one transformer providing it has 100+ watt rating, or do I need to use separate transformers for each individual fixture? I want them on the same switch. I need a 300-watt transformer, and the lighting store only stocks a 150-watt. Can I double up two 150's to get the 300 watts needed?
A. Yes, you can run two 50-watt fixtures off a transformer rated for at least 100 watts. But no, you cannot run a single 300-watt fixture off two 150-watt transformers.
Q. I have low-voltage outdoor lighting. Can I add additional lights?
A. You will have to look at your transformer to determine what its maximum wattage is. Most bulbs are 4 watts, but they come in different wattages. You will have to add up what you are currently using.
Q: How often will I need to replace the L.E.D. in my solar fixture?The LEDs themselves are not replaceable. However, their life expectancy should typically exceed 25 years, based on running 10 hours every night.
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Courtesy of Intermatic.
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