Outdoor Solar Lights: Environmentally Sound and Timelessly Chic

There was a time that solar lights were as rare as, say a mobile telephone. But just as most people have a cell phone these days, people should look to inexpensive and highly functional solar lights to light up their yards.

Outdoor solar lights are greatly improved over the bulky, low-light products sold a few years ago. Today, they come in a host of styles and they are fairly inexpensive – especially when you consider you are eliminating the electric current to light them up. They can be used anywhere that electric has not been installed and they have access to at least a few hours of sunlight. This makes them especially useful for outdoor areas.

There are many uses for solar lights, a few of which are outlined here:

Function

Put a solar light where you want light to shine after dark – such as a solar flood light in dark corners of your property, at the base of the driveway so no one misses the turn, or along a pathway that might be treacherous in the dark. A set of sleek, stainless solar-powered lights can be placed along walkways or the driveway.

You don’t need to run cords or have an electrician come out and do the hard wiring. A solar panel on the top of each light stores the sun’s energy during the day and converts it into bright LED white light for 12 hours at night.

Thankfully, today’s solar lights provide plenty of light to show off the darkest outdoor areas, even the numbers on your house. Mount a mini solar spotlight above your house number or near your front door so you can see where to insert the key. These compact lights are mounted with screws or double-sided tape. The result is you don’t have to fumble with your keys and visitors will be able to see your house number.

Fun

Today’s solar lights do not have to be all about function. They can be fun, while lighting up your property. Try a set of two solar-powered lights that change colors. You’ll have a rainbow of colors, rather than the plain white LED light cast by most solar lights. The lights charge during the day. At night, they turn from blue to green to red to yellow. Best of all, they have on and off sensors that automatically turn the lights on at dusk and off at first light.

Whimsical

In additional to casting light, solar outdoor lights can also offer some humor to your yard. For example, lots of people have yard art – ceramic frogs and gnomes. But with solar lights, you can have a crystal-like solar lit snail to accent your yard. During the day, it’s crystal clear, but at night, it changes color from green to golden yellow to white. You can place the snail on the ground or on a metal stake that’s included. Its built-in solar panel will charge a AAA rechargeable battery during the day that lets it glow for up to 10 hours at night, when fully charged. And if you want something faster than a snail, you can also get a rabbit, squirrel or turtle in the same crystal style.

Holiday

Solar technology has changed the way holiday lights are strung. Imagine lighting up your house at Christmas time, knowing there won’t be an extra large electric bill coming in January. Today, most varieties of Christmas lights are available with solar technology.

A string of 60 lights are powered during the day and glow at night for about eight hours. And best of all, you can place them where you want them. You’re no longer limited to where an electrical outlet is located.

So place them out near the road, on your mail box or run them up the lamppost. You can also get solar
net lights that make decorating bushes and shrubs so easy. With 50 solar lights per net, you can create a great holiday display without wires or extension cords.

Just drape the net over your shrubs and let the sun do its work. And since you don’t need an outlet, why not use a strand of solar string lights to light up the wreath on your front door! Imagine – no need to hide a battery pack to light it up. Let the sun power up the 24 lights. You can even purchase solar-powered icicle lights now. Each string has 20 solar acrylic icicles, each 4 inches long.

Aesthetic Appeal

If you are someone who simply enjoys the look of lights to brighten up the dark, then you’ll be pleased with what’s being offered in solar lights. Install a set of two Set of two solar lanterns by your front door. The colonial look will enhance your front entrance and they will economically light up your walkway for more than eight hours when full charged. With some models, you can even choose between a soft amber light and a bright white light. Built-in sensors will turn them on and off automatically.

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Posted by admin on January 28th, 2011 :: Filed under Solar Lights
Tags :: Chic, Environmentally, Lights, outdoor, Solar, Sound, Timelessly

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Outdoor Solar Lights: The Ideal Choice for Tasteful Outdoor Décor

Choosing “the best” outdoor solar lights is really a matter of individual style. You may want to feature lights that are decorative, traditional, modern or even fanciful. Solar lights are great for decks, patios, pools, walkways, driveways and gardens. Whatever your preference for a solar lights, it is not going to be difficult to find a type that you will like for years to come.

Solar Lights Explained

A solar light houses a solar panel that collects energy from the sun and then converts it into power for the operation of the light. A nickel metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable battery stores the energy. The battery is turned on and off by a sensor allowing it to come on automatically at dusk and extinguishing at dawn. An LED lamp emits the light.

How long the light last throughout the night depends on the size of the solar panel and battery. Usually solar lights will work for about 10 hours with a fully charged battery. The brightness of an LED lamp is comparable to a 2-watt bulb. It takes 12 volts of electricity to power a low voltage landscape light.
Solar rechargeable batteries last approximately 1,000 nights and are easily replaced when they stop charging.

Path, Garden and Driveway Solar Lights

Set of 2 Solar Lanterns – Create a charming welcome along walkways and flower beds with solar lanterns. The LED stays lit for up to 8 ½ hours. Choose either soft amber or bright white light by pushing a button on the lantern. Set includes two 17-inch shepherd’s hooks for hanging the lanterns or you can stake them in the ground.

Solar Lights – Low profile, staked solar lights come in a stainless steel or copper finish. The lights lend a contemporary look to your driveway or walking path. A top solar panel gathers the light during the day allowing it to stay on for 12 hours at night. Lamp maintains a bright LED white light. Solar lights have an 11-½ inch post that sits on a 5-inch stake.

Solar Color Changing Lights – Add some color to the night. Place the solar lights around a pool to give it a magical appearance. The constantly changing colors are yellow, green, blue and red. One AAA rechargeable battery is included with the light.

Solar Driveway Light – Mark the end of your driveway with the sleek solar driveway light. Constructed from stainless steel and plastic, the durable fixture will stay lit for up to eight hours.

House Solar Lights

3 Way Solar House Light – Versatility makes the 3 Way Solar House Light an economical choice. Classic, square shape will go with any kind of house. Secure the light to the outside of the house, stand it on a fence post or keep it on the ground for pathway lighting. Wall mount, base and stake are all available with the light.

Cordless Flood Solar Light – You are free to stake the flood light anywhere in your yard without cumbersome cords or the need for electrical wiring. All you have to do is stake it in the ground. Position the solar light to shine on decorations, garden features or house address. The floodlight gives you 12 hours of light.

Mini Solar Spot Light – The spotlight is perfect for those nights when you get home late. Use it to illuminate your house number, mailbox, or keyhole. The light continues all night until the morning.

Attach the light fixture with screws or double-sided tape.

Fun Solar Lighting

Solar Glow In The Dark Garden Lights – Delight passersby with beautiful garden lights that emit a green glow. Globes have a unique swirl pattern made from artist rendered glass.  The design is meant to resemble the spinning earth. Lights come in a set of three and are connected to a solar panel by a 10-foot cord. Stake the luminous solar lights in flowerbeds.

Solar Animated Flower Lights – Surprise visitors with these flower lights. The flower petals remain open all day so the solar panel in the center can capture the sun’s energy. At night, the flower closes and beams with light. The waterproof lights are packaged in a set of two.

Solar Tiki Torch – Give your backyard island flair with the solar tiki torch. The torch harmlessly burns with solar light. Light comes with mounting hardware.

Solar Lighted Toad and Turtle – Pay homage to our natural friends by placing a lighted toad or turtle around your landscape. No, they are not radioactive. They radiate with a soft low light from sitting in the sun all day.  

It’s the energy efficiency, helpful lighting and atmospheric illumination that make outdoor solar lights a common sight in many beautiful properties.

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Posted by admin on January 16th, 2011 :: Filed under Solar Lights
Tags :: Choice, Décor, Ideal, Lights, outdoor, Solar, Tasteful

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