Solar Energy Home Page - Solar Power Garden Lights

Solar Power Garden Lights

Solar power garden lights are really easy to install in your garden. For example, with a stake-type light post, all you have to do is to decide on the site you want to light and stick the fixture in the ground. Best of all they don't need electricity.

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Some will come with a small built in solar panel on the top; other will have a removable panel that you can place at a sunny and convenient location.

During the day the solar panel, linked to an electronic circuit, charges the batteries. When night begins to falls, a photocell detects the changes in luminosity and switches on the light. At sunrise the light switches off and the charging cycle starts again.

Assuming the batteries are fully charged, good quality solar power garden lights will provide illumination all night long without any problem. NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) or NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) Batteries are often used in solar lighting applications. They will last 2 or 3 years and are easily replaceable.

Most modern decorative solar garden lights use LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology. Contrary to usual light bulbs, LED's power consumption is very low, thus providing more lighting time. In addition, LED's are very reliable and can last a very long time.

Maintenance wise, the only thing required is to clean the solar panel once in a while. Regularly removing the build up dust with a soft clothe will guarantee optimum performance in your decorative garden solar light.

Do not expect solar power garden lights to deliver an extremely bright luminosity. Their main purpose is to create a pleasant atmosphere at night. Very nice accent lighting can be obtained when the lights are well located.

Decorative solar garden lights can be found in a multitude of designs and for many purposes.

In addition to the simple and common fixture, you can find for example floating solar powered lights for swimming pools or ponds, solar deck lights, solar pathway lights.

One of the nice things about solar power garden lights is that they are fairly inexpensive, and if you're on a budget, you just start with a few and keep adding to your collection until you have all the garden or deck lights you need.

By the way, I've found that www.dreamhomedecorating.com is a great site for budget conscious home & garden decorators - check out their page on cheap home decor!

Solar power lights are not limited to gardens; in my next article I will give you an idea about some other interesting solar lighting applications.

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