Solar Garden Lighing: A quick start guide

If you were thinking of using solar garden lights just a few years ago, it would have been unreasonably expensive and unreliable. However, most of those headaches have been resolved with new advances in solar powered lighting. As long as you keep the lighting fixture in direct sunlight each day, the batteries will receive a full charge. You don’t have to worry about digging trenches for wire cables to hook up to a transformer to power your lighting fixtures. You set them up wherever you want.

Here is a quick list of things to consider while selecting your solar garden lights:

•Brightness - Most solar lights are meant to be use as accents. They usually do not produce a light bright enough to really highlight landscaping features. However, they are great for lighting trails and walkways. For your brighter lighting needs, it is best to use a solar lighting system that uses a fluorescent bulb or two LED bulbs at least.

•Solar panels - The majority of solar lights have all of their components enclosed within the fixture. The solar panel is usually enclosed within the fixture too. Some solar lights are connected to an external solar panel. As long as the solar panel is placed in direct sunlight, these fixtures can be placed in the shade.

•Light sensors – The light sensors are usually built into the fixture and it detects dusk and dawn. The lights are then turned on (dusk) or turned off (dawn) accordingly.

•Light Placement – The lights can be placed anywhere as long as the fixture receives sunlight for the solar panel.

•Installation - Installation for most solar garden light fixtures easy pretty straight-forward. Simply stake it into the ground or hang it to a post. No need for an electrician, digging trenches, or dealing with messy wiring.

Your solar garden lights can be a safety tool for highlighting walkways, decks, pathways, and stairways. Or you can use them to softly light fountains or garden features. With such easy installation, you can pretty much highlight any landscaping feature you want.

External Sources:
Solar Garden Lighting Guide