Solar Street Lights – Not For Just Streets
The use of solar street lights has really taken off recently. Many states in the US and many countries around the world now use solar powered street lights as part of their regular street lighting plans.
Sometimes a solar street light will be used to provide light where previously no road illumination had been provided – either because of cost considerations or the impracticality of putting an on-grid light in a particular place. Other times a new solar light will replace an normal light to pass on cost savings to the state or authority involved. Of course, you don’t have to be a governmental organization to enjoy the same economic benefits.
Most solar powered street lighting is sold in stand alone units – each unit being just like a normal street light except that at the very top is the solar panel used for recharging, while the actual light itself is a little further down the pole.
Installation is usually pretty straightforward. And of course, you don’t have to use them on a street – they make great deck or garden lights too. Prices depend largely on the robustness of the construction and the power output of the light and range from around $190 into the four figures range.
Rock Solar Lights
Have we found the cheapest solar rock light ever? At less than $10, the Mini Solar Rock Spot Light B from Silicon Solar really looks like it came directly from a rock quarry to your garden.
Each solar rock light is a self-contained unit, so no trailing wires and setup is instant – just position and relax.
It’ll switch on and off automatically at dawn and dusk but there’s also a manual overide switch if you need it.
One great thing about rock lights is if you change your mind about where it should go you can move it instantly – no clamps or screws to worry about. Landscape solar lighting for the lazy!
Solar Patio Umbrella Light
Solar patio lights come in all shapes and sizes but the this has got to be one of the more ingenious – the solar powered patio umbrella light.
Providing a generous nine feet canopy with a UV and water resistant coating, the umbrella has sixteen LED solar lights in the spreader rods attached to the ribs. These LED lights are how the umbrella provides ambient glow lighting in the evening.
Solar charging comes from a weatherproof panel at the top of the umbrella which provides the rechargeable batteries with eight hours illumination time.
Cozy Solar Lanterns
Energy efficient lighting meets modern design in these cozy solar lanterns from Earth Tech.
The Soji Modern lantern will automatically charge itself during the day and switch on at dusk to give a warm golden over your garden, deck or path.
Each 9″ x 9″ lantern comes with two high powered Amber LED lights, solar panel and rechargeable battery.
Soji Modern lanterns come fully assembled and ready to go and are available in three color patterns – Pure White, Peal Motif and Mineral Motif.
Choosing Solar Garden Lights
There’s an almost endless choice of solar garden lights to choose from. If you’ve never looked into them before you might be surprised just how much variety there is in solar garden lighting.
Aside from cost, you’ll need to think about what type of lighting you’re looking for. Is it just a decorative effect or do you need a more substantial light source, for example, for solar security lights?
The easiest type of garden lights to install is the ‘stake’ light. It’s a plastic or metal stake with the light and small solar panel at one end and a point at the other. Just push it into the garden earth or your driveway and wait for sundown.
You can buy each solar light individually and they’re cheap way to light a garden path or driveway.
