One of the most successful innovative lighting technologies is the technique of using solar-powered luminaires. These lanterns have gained popularity due to such characteristics as economy. After all, they do not waste electricity, but use the energy of sunlight to work at night. In addition, such lamps do not have a negative impact on nature. This publication is dedicated to these products.
Content
- 1 Solar-powered luminaires: scope
- 2 The device and principle of operation of solar-powered lanterns
- 3 Solar powered garden lights: advantages and disadvantages
- 4 Classification of solar street lights
- 5 What to buy solar-powered lanterns: the nuances of choice
- 6 Review of the best solar-powered lamps
- 7 Solar lights for solar-powered summer cottages: site arrangement
- 8 Solar-powered outdoor garden light: operating conditions
- 9 How to DIY Solar Powered Street Lights
Solar-powered luminaires: scope
Solar-powered street lighting is very popular among owners of private houses, summer cottages, as well as specialists in the field of landscape design. These luminaires do not need to be connected to the electrical network. They are easily installed in the summer cottage in any suitable order along the paths. You can also use lanterns for additional decoration of some elements of the garden: lighting a pond or flower beds.
Due to their frequent use in landscape design, such lights are often called garden lights. These lamps are a beneficial decor for a summer cottage due to their unique design, which gives comfort and coziness to the atmosphere of a garden or courtyard. In addition, the use of lighting fixtures allows you to walk in the garden at night and enjoy the beauty of plants at dusk.
Lanterns for summer cottages on solar batteries are a good find, since they are convenient, inexpensive and do not require additional site preparation. But on this, the use of solar-powered lighting devices is not limited to private property. They fit perfectly into the landscape design of city parks and squares, and are also used for decorative lighting of buildings, fountains and sculptural compositions are used to illuminate streets and dark alleys.
Street lights with a motion sensor are very popular. They allow you to save money and guarantee safety in the dark.
The device and principle of operation of solar-powered lanterns
It is possible to place a particle of the sun in a corner of the garden using a self-contained solar-powered lamp. Luminaires are organized quite simply and consist of the following details:
- LED lamp - emits a cold or yellow glow, and it can also be a certain colored light or a gradual color change;
- solar panel - converts solar energy into electrical current;
- rechargeable battery - accumulates energy during the day and gives off at night;
- charge controller;
- photocell - automatically turns on the light at nightfall and off at dawn;
- housing and mounting parts.
In addition to these elements, the luminaires can be equipped with motion and light level sensors. Some models are designed with sound effects. Such a luminaire is usually made of anti-corrosive materials. This ensures resistance to atmospheric precipitation. The plafond of the product itself is made of three types of glass: tempered, structured and smooth.
Tempered glass has the best characteristics, but this affects the cost of the product. It is also dustproof and waterproof. The protection level is written on the profile or on the lamp box and is indicated by IP and numbers.
The luminaire is powered by solar batteries from a nickel-cadmium battery with a capacity of 700 mAh. Throughout the day, the device converts solar energy into electrical energy and charges the battery. And with the onset of dusk, a photocell is triggered, which turns on the diffused glow. And at dawn, if the minimum battery charge controller has not worked earlier, the photocell turns off the lamp.
Most often, the light source in such luminaires is light-emitting diodes or LEDs, the brightness of the lighting depends on their number. The average power of the product is 0.06 watts, and the service life is 100 thousand hours.
Lanterns on solar batteries for summer cottages, regardless of the manufacturer, have a small battery capacity, which is capable of providing the lamp with a full charge for 8-10 hours. And in the autumn, when the sunny day decreases, the battery power is not enough until dawn. But there are models that are equipped with functions that allow you to increase the uptime of the product, for example, motion sensors.
Useful advice! Consideration should also be given to parameters such as height and installation method of the luminaire. Since the choice of products is huge, everyone can choose the best option.
Solar powered garden lights: advantages and disadvantages
Before you buy solar-powered garden lights, you need to study all the nuances. Many buyers who have installed such products are satisfied with the purchase, but negative reviews also happen.
To implement any ideas regarding garden design, it is necessary to choose the best version of a lantern for a summer residence. This is possible due to the advantages of these products:
- A wide range of lanterns of different types, shapes and designs.
- The savings that come from the use of solar panels.
- Autonomy - no need to monitor the battery charge level.
- Practicality. The main requirement for luminaire placement is access to the sun's rays.
- Long period of work.
- Absolute security.
- Mobility.
By using solar lamps, it is possible to light up an entire garden inexpensively without overpaying for electricity.In addition, there is no need to connect the device to the mains, which means there will be no costs for wiring. The cost of the most common models is very affordable. This allows any number of fixtures to be installed in every corner of the garden. The installation of the device is so simple that even a child could cope with it. And a long service life, when all operating recommendations are followed, guarantees a return on investment.
The disadvantage of these devices is that they cannot be repaired after a breakdown. Also, in cloudy weather, the battery is not 100% infected, and in the cold season, the battery may fail.
Classification of solar street lights
Solar powered lanterns can be used to illuminate any corner of the garden and yard in a wide variety of styles. Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of products that can satisfy the needs of all potential buyers. These are both ordinary simple models and unusual sculptural compositions on legs.
Of the whole variety of solar-powered luminaires, they can be classified according to their functional purpose as follows:
- bollards - strict lanterns in the form of posts designed to lighten paths and lawns;
- wall or pendant lights that are mounted on poles, fences or walls of any structure;
- built-in lamps used to decorate stairs and hard-surface areas;
- floating pond lighting, fountain or pool;
- underwater flashlights for reservoirs;
- lamps for the decoration of flower beds, made of transparent material, which ensures their invisibility during the daytime;
- decorative lanterns, performing in the form of animals or fairy-tale characters.
Such a classification of garden lighting fixtures helps to navigate the variety of models and makes it easier to make a choice. But this division is conditional, since a solar-powered garden lamp of the same modification can be used for different purposes.
Also, street lamps can be divided into the following types:
- lawn;
- park;
- wall.
The most common are wall lights. They are used as garden lighting and are also used in parks and squares. Moreover, such a lantern can be placed anywhere where the rays of the sun fall. Such lighting devices are capable of emitting light for 10 hours.
Park lighting models are made of stainless steel. The service life of such flashlights is durable. In addition, such a solar-powered lamp can work perfectly even in gloomy weather for several days in a row.
Lawn lights are small. These products use LEDs as the light element. The shape of the products can be any, they always look original and fashionable. Lawn lamps are used as decor for items:
- tracks;
- lawns;
- attics;
- trees and bushes.
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You can use these lights to illuminate billboards or as a garden garland.
What to buy solar-powered lanterns: the nuances of choice
Before you buy a solar-powered lamp, you must first pay attention to the following characteristics:
- battery quality;
- the material from which the body is made;
- the degree of protection of the product cover;
- the number of LED lamps.
Mostly plastic is used for the production of lamps. From this material, curly elements are cast, the frame bases of ordinary lanterns for the garden. But at this time, products that are completely made of steel are gaining more and more popularity. Moreover, most of these lamps are large in size.
The brightness of the lighting depends on the number of diode lamps. The battery capacity determines how long the flashlight will last. And the reliability of a photocell depends on the type of silicon: the most reliable is monocrystalline, but it is also the most expensive.
To illuminate paths, it is better to choose solar-powered outdoor garden lamps with a leg height of up to 1 m, for a gazebo and barbecue - up to 1.5 m. Installation of such products is very simple: the pointed part of the leg is driven into the ground. But there are options for lanterns that simply fit on the ground or in water. However, such lamps are used as additional lighting. They look especially impressive with solar-powered street lights.
Today, the product market provides a wide selection of solar-powered garden lamps in various shapes. At the same time, the price of lamps remains affordable. In most cases, the owners of country and private houses select inexpensive and ordinary lamps. This is due to the desire of the owners not to interest the thieves. Since most lanterns do not require stationary installation, therefore, leaving the country house, these products can be removed indoors.
The low cost of solar-powered lanterns does not in any way affect the decoration of the garden plot. The simplest solar-powered lawn street lamps can be bought for 100-200 rubles, but you do not need to demand from them a long service life and bright lighting. The price of budgetary, but more durable lighting fixtures is in the range from 500 to 2000 rubles.
Useful advice! Solar batteries are sensitive to temperature extremes and frost, so it is better to put the product indoors in winter. This will help extend the life of your solar powered flashlight.
Review of the best solar-powered lamps
A good solar-powered lantern cannot be bought for a low price. If it is necessary not only to decorate the territory, but also to illuminate it, then the quality of the product must be taken into account.
The following lamps have proven themselves well:
- Star Alliance YH0607A-PIR. The body of this product is sealed, there is a motion sensor, a control system for lighting modes.
- MJJC-SLYF170. Low power model, used low above the ground. A good choice for illuminating steps, the bottom of the walls of houses.
- MK02500. The lantern is used for fixing to walls, the body is waterproof and dustproof.
- ZY-TYN-T10W. The product is expensive, but the costs are fully paid off. The advantages of this model are power, the presence of a motion sensor, reliability and durability.
- RDF YD04. A device of original design and high quality. This model has a narrow scope of use, since it does not shine very brightly.
- Sunlight M3. Low power product. Several of them are placed at once. Pros - stylish design, low cost in comparison with other models.
- Solar Lamp. The light intensity depends on the motion sensor. As soon as it is triggered, the flashlight shines at full power. An excellent choice for front door lighting.
This is not a complete range of quality solar powered flashlights, there are other models worthy of attention.
Useful advice! The MJJC-SLYF170 wall light can be attached at any height. But it is most effective when used with low placement. By installing several of these models at the bottom of the stairs, you can improve the appearance of the structure, as well as protect yourself and your family from injury.
Solar lights for solar-powered summer cottages: site arrangement
Recently, it has become fashionable to decorate a garden plot, for many summer residents it has become a hobby. As a result, it is increasingly possible to find neat lawns with flower beds, unusually illuminated areas, and recreation areas near houses. Therefore, solar-powered lanterns for summer cottages are especially in demand.
Their popularity is due to the fact that these devices do not need to be connected to the mains, but work thanks to a special battery that is charged throughout the day from solar energy. And in the dark, the lantern emits soft, pleasant lighting.
Solar-powered luminaires can solve several problems at the same time:
- save electrical energy;
- perform lighting of the territory at night.
Solar-powered lanterns can be used to neatly decorate your lawn. It is very convenient and beautiful; because when the need arises to mow the lawn, they can be removed without problems. Also, solar-powered LED lamps are suitable for decorating bushes, trees, garden paths, and with solar-powered street lights, you can decorate gazebos.
Useful advice! If you need to place lights in the shade of trees or under the roof of a building, experts recommend installing additional separate panels in an open area. This will be financially expensive, but will allow you to deliver light to the darkest corners of the site.
Solar-powered outdoor garden light: operating conditions
Making out a plot of a country house or summer cottage, each owner wants to keep its territory beautiful and well-groomed for a long time. In order for street lights for a summer residence to last several seasons, you must adhere to the rules of operation.
Lamps for lawns are not resistant to mechanical damage, so they must be installed carefully, without dropping or hammering into the ground. And for the unhindered penetration of the sun's rays onto the surface of the solar panel, it must be constantly wiped with a damp cloth. You should not use lanterns near the pond that are not intended for this. Only a special lamp has excellent water tightness.
Most solar-powered luminaires are temperature-sensitive and frost-resistant. Therefore, with the onset of frost, the products must be hidden in a heated room and the lamp must be turned off. In this case, you must remove the battery. Also, over time, it will become necessary to replace the battery. It is sold as a set or separately.
How to DIY Solar Powered Street Lights
Buying a solar-powered lamp for a summer residence is not cheap if the lantern is of good quality. But such a product can be made with your own hands, saving your money. To do this, you need to adhere to some rules.
It is easy to make a product from any available means. Old jars, flower pots, plastic bottles, vases can be useful for this.These things can be originally painted or decorated with beads, sparkles.
Consider an example of creating an organic glass garden lamp. This material is perfect as a base, as it has characteristics such as strength and brightness. This will make it possible to diffuse the rays of light. You can cut out parts of the desired shape using a regular hacksaw and connect them with silicone glue.
If we are going to create a lantern from an old tin can, then for this we need to cut off one side. Using a hammer and a regular nail, we make holes over the entire surface of the can. As a decoration, the slots can be made with nails of different diameters, or different patterns can be used. And then, according to the lantern scheme, the entire structure is mounted on a solar battery.
Useful advice! During the creation of a solar-powered lighting device, you must clearly follow the diagram and recheck everything several times to make the device work.
We place homemade lanterns along garden paths, alleys or along the perimeter of playgrounds, terraces and flower beds. The rays of the sun, which will break through the holes in the product, will create an unusual light effect.
Solar street lights: the perfect lighting solution
If a country house is used for recreation and receiving guests at night, then additional lighting will be needed for this. Solar-powered street lamps for summer cottages are the best solution. After all, garden lights have many advantages, the main ones being economy, practicality and durability. The principle of operation of these products is simple: during the day, the battery is charged from the energy of the sun, and at night it emits light due to this battery.
If you decide to buy solar-powered garden lights, then first of all you need to pay attention to the characteristics of the battery, the material from which the body is made, the degree of protection of the shade.
The shape of garden lights can be very diverse. This allows you to create a unique design for the garden and local area.