Solar powered lighting

Solar powered luminaires

Solar-powered luminaires are probably the most economical way to organise lighting in your yard, terrace or garden. Simple and easy to use. Solar lighting, like any other installation, has its advantages and disadvantages. To make the right choice, you need to carefully research and evaluate both.

Benefits

• Autonomy: solar-powered luminaires do not require electricity, regular battery changes or traditional battery charging. The luminaires provide themselves with energy for normal operation by drawing it from the sun's rays.
• LED solar lamps are compact and easy to move: almost all luminaires of this type are light and compact in size, so they can be removed at any time and moved to another location or simply put away for storage.
• Economy: since the main source of energy for these luminaires is the sun, the lighting will cost zero in electricity. 
• Even the consumables no need to be changed: The LED lamps with which the devices are equipped last 5-20 thousand hours or more. The only thing to keep an eye on is the battery, which can be easily replaced if necessary.
• Simple installation: solar luminaires are very easy to install and, if necessary, easy to uninstall. There is no need for professionals to install them, all the work can be done yourself by following the instructions. 
• Safety: the devices are not plugged in and do not require wires. During operation, the risk of electrocution is reduced to zero.
• Environmentally friendly: no harmful substances are released into the surrounding environment when solar energy is used. The luminaires do not require non-renewable natural resources (gas, oil, coal, etc.) to operate.

Disadvantages

• Dependence on weather and other factors: the average daylight hours in our country are quite short and cloudy weather is very common. For these reasons, it is not possible for the solar panels to fully charge to operate overnight.
• Lighting instability: the brightness of the lamps gradually decreases from the moment they are switched on until the end of operation when the battery is discharged. In other words, the lamp will burn much dimmer at night than in the evening (when switched on).
• Limited operating time: the operating time of a solar lamp depends on the battery power and charge, the power gradually decreases during operation.

Swedish manufacturer StarTrading is constantly working to address potential shortcomings of solar lamps and improve their efficiency. The devices are equipped with multiple batteries, a durable housing made of materials that are not affected by temperature changes, humidity and other factors.

How to choose solar lighting

By type of construction. In-ground solar garden lights have a leg that simply slides into the ground. These models are perfect for lighting and decorating garden paths and plant and flower beds.

Wall-mounted led solar lights - attached to house fronts, verandas, extensions and other vertical surfaces. These luminaires can be used, for example, to illuminate the porch and front door of a house.

Built-in solar garden lights - mounted on a vertical or horizontal surface: path cover, pergola ceiling, stair treads, etc. These models are functional and decorative.

For a solar-powered lantern to work properly, you need to choose carefully where to install it. The shade can affect the battery's charging rate and condition. And if the battery is not fully charged, the luminaire will not provide the required illumination of the area.

Lumen output

This parameter determines the intensity (brightness) of the illumination. The brightness of the LED is measured in lumens (lm). An LED lamp with a luminous flux of 400 lumens shines as brightly as a 40W incandescent lamp.

By material

The luminaire housings are made of different materials: stainless steel, high-strength plastics, wood and various metal alloys. The choice of material for solar lighting should also focus on the surrounding environment, how it will fit into the overall landscape.

By IP protection class

Solar luminaires intended for outdoor use must be adapted to the negative effects of external factors (high humidity, extreme temperatures, dust, dirt, etc.). The conditions under which a particular luminaire can be used can be judged by the IP index assigned to all types of luminaires.

Outdoor lighting

IP - luminaire dust and moisture protection class. The numerical value of the index indicates the permissible operating conditions. For outdoor lamps, the minimum protection class is IP44. You can find out the IP of a particular lamp from the specification listed.

Battery capacity

The larger the capacity of the solar cell, the longer the lamp will operate in the dark. The battery capacity is measured in mAh, the higher the mAh, the longer the device will run. Batteries can be changed for more powerful ones.

Lamps with sensors

Lamps equipped with light and motion sensors are available for the convenience of users. These devices switch on when it gets dark and switch off when there is enough light outside. They can also work only when necessary, lighting up when a moving object comes into their "field of vision" and switching off after a while.

Solar-powered luminaires are a complete and functional option for organising garden area lighting. Of course, these devices are not without their drawbacks, but with a competent approach to selection and placement they can become a functional lighting solution for your area.