subject: Buying The Right Solar Powered Lights To Brighten Your Garden [print this page] Buying The Right Solar Powered Lights To Brighten Your Garden
Gardens can really be given that extra lift by adding lighting. What better way to do it than using solar powered lights. The benefit of no cabling required, and free energy to run them from sunlight. If you use your garden in the evenings, adding the right kind of lighting really does add to the overall effect of your garden.
I am going to show you what types of lights you can have and how solar lighting works
How does it work?
With each light you purchase you have a small solar cell mounted either on top of it or it has a detachable panel to be placed in anon shadyarea of the garden. During the day the solar panels store electricity in the rechargeable battery with-in the solar light. So at night when you turn it on, it will then use the energy from the battery.
What about cloudy days?
Solar panels only need light, so on a cloudy day the panel will still be producing energy that is stored within the battery. The better the quality of the light and panel then the potential for more energyto bestored quicker isincreased.As light levels fade it will still produce more energy than the cheaper models.
Are they bright enough?
Older solar lights used to produce a dim light, this is because of old bulb technology, and they wouldn't run for long. Now days the bulbs are actually LED's and they require much less power to run, and produce a brighter light.
Types of solar lights
There are 3 types of solar lights, Accent lights, Path lights and Spotlights. These all shine light in different ways and tend to be used in different situations.
Accent lights
These add a gentle glow to your landscape, with their low illumination it is designed to point out an area rather than a feature.
Path Lights
Path lights are normally used in numbers to guide the route along a dark walkway or stairway. The options for mounts are hanging hooks, ground stakes and flange mounts. Most path lights are designed to have their light focused downwards.
Spotlights
Also known as tasklights these produce the brightest output of solar powered lights, but this usually comes with a higher price tag for a good quality model. These are used for throwing light on plants, entrances and dark areas.
