Solar Garden Lights – How Do They Stack Up?

Solar energy has been steadily gaining popularity in Australia, and with our energy costs continuing to rise, solar energy is here to stay.  Not all of us, however, can afford to install solar panels to power our homes, and so, we look to other ways to save energy.  Enter solar garden lights, the affordable introduction to lighting our homes using solar energy.

Why are solar garden lights becoming an increasingly popular choice?  Besides being an affordable way to harness solar energy; they are eco-friendly, aiding in reducing our carbon footprint.  They are also a cost-effective lighting solution, both in the fact they require little to no professional installation, and they do not contribute to energy bills.

Here, we explore how solar energy works, and how this is harnessed in solar garden lights; as well as the advantages, and disadvantages of solar garden lights, to see how they really stack up against traditional outdoor lighting.

How does solar energy work?

Solar energy derives from what is known as the photovoltaic effect.  A photovoltaic panel, or solar cell, converts sunlight into electrical energy.  How does it do this?  The photovoltaic effect occurs when particles of lights, called photons, strike the surface of the solar cell, and transfer their energy to electrons in the silicon layers that make up the cell material.

When these electrons gain enough energy to flow through the material in the cell, it creates a flow of electricity.  This flow of electricity can then be harnessed by attaching wires to the solar cells, running these wires to an inverter which converts the direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) that can be used in our homes.

There is obviously quite a lot more science involved, however, for the purpose of this post, this is the simple version of the science behind solar energy and how it is harnessed for our everyday use.

How is solar energy harnessed to power solar garden lights?

What are solar garden lights?  Exactly as their name suggests, they are garden lights that use solar energy to power their illumination.  To do so, they come equipped with a small solar cell, or panel, usually located on the top of the light fixture.  This panel, as explored above, is made up of photovoltaic cells that generate a DC electrical charge.

This DC charge is then sent to a rechargeable battery, typically a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) or lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery, to be stored until it is needed to power the light.  This is important, as the very nature of light means that it is not required during daylight hours when the sunlight is creating the charge, but needs to draw on this energy once the sun has gone down.

The other components that make up solar garden lights include an LED lamp, the light source, and a controller which manages the charging and discharging of the battery.  During daylight hours, this controller, will manage the storing of energy; and then once the sun goes down, will discharge this energy to “turn on” the LED lamp.

How do solar garden lights turn on and off automatically?

When the sun goes down, a light sensor, also known as a photoresistor, detects the absence of light.  This absence of light is what the controller uses as a trigger to turn on the LED lamp.  With that, the stored energy in the battery is converted into an AC electrical charge that safely powers the LED lamp.

Some solar garden lights may also come with additional features, or triggers, that mean they automatically turn on and off under certain circumstances.  These might include motion sensors, that will trigger the LED lamp when movement is detected; or timers that allow you to set your solar garden lights to turn on and off at specific times each day.

The amount of time that your solar garden light will illuminate for will depend on other factors outside these as well.  These might include things like the amount of sunlight the solar panel receives, the size and capacity of the battery, and the energy efficiency of the LED lamp.

What are the different forms of solar garden lights?

Solar garden lights encompass a range of outdoor lighting options.  What makes them a garden light is more often than not, the simple fact that they are an outdoor light, and they perform best when placed in the sunniest spaces of your outdoor areas, typically, the garden.

Some of the most popular options for solar garden lights include:

• Garden spike lights
• Path lights
• Deck lights
• Bollard lights
• Post lights
• Pillar lights
• Spotlights
• Step lights
• Flood lights
• Festoon lights

Some of our best selling solar light options?

What are the advantages to using solar garden lights?

1. They are the energy efficient, not drawing any energy from typical energy source;

2. They are eco-friendly, reducing your carbon footprint;

3. They are cost-effective, making no contribution to energy bills;

4. They are easy to install, since they do not require installation by any professional trades person.  This DIY installation also makes them a cost-effective option in terms of initial outlay;

5. They have independent, hands free operation.  This has a two fold advantage in that, because they operate independent of typical energy sources, they will continue to operate through power outages.  It also is another reason they are so energy efficient and cost-effective, as they independently turn on when needed.  No more chewing power via lights left on unnecessarily; and

6. They provide an added element of safety.  Due to their independent function, it means you, and your guests, will always come, or leave, home under the safety of light.

Are there any disadvantages to installing solar garden lights?

There are, and these include:

1. Potentially limited performance in prolonged cloudy weather;

2. The upfront outlay can be more expensive than more traditional forms of outdoor lighting, although, it certainly can be argued this is counteracted by the energy savings;

3. They depend on sunlight, so if your home has limited areas prolonged sunlight, solar lighting may not be an option for you; and

4. Most will require battery replacement at some stage in their lifespan.

Do solar garden lights stack up against traditional outdoor forms of lighting?  Like all types of lighting, each has it’s place and it’s most optimal use, so if your home ticks all the boxes, then yes, solar garden lights could certainly stack up as an option or you.

Speak to one of our lighting experts about solar lighting options that may be right for you.