Solar lights have become increasingly popular nowadays. In most states, they have already replaced the conventional incandescent light bulbs. Residents no longer have to worry on wiring or cabling, or getting their children electrocuted. Coming in an assortment of styles and designs to match different functions, these lights are well-engineered and have proved to be long lasting, energy-saving, cost-effective and durable.

What are Solar Garden String Lights?

One example of solar powered lights is string lighting. Solar garden string lights work best for gazebos, covered patios, fences, or large trees. You can illuminate outdoor garden spaces with these lights, giving off a soft yet visually attractive glow.

What are the types of Solar Garden String Lights?

There are many varieties of solar garden string lights that you can work with. These hand-blown glass lights can be put on a fence for the European feel, or can be hung overhead on the patio, or can be put on shrubs for a magical feel. Some are shaped as globes, while others as cones, and others still, formed into butterflies, birds, decorative flowers or mini-lanterns. You would not imagine how attractive the results will be, once you’ve put up these outdoor solar garden string lights.

How do Solar Garden String Lights work?

Unlike conventional light bulbs, solar garden string lights only need the sun’s heat to generate power. They are almost like satellites that create and store their own electricity during daytime and release it at night. On top of each bulb is a solar cell, also called photovoltaic cell (PVs) that collects solar energy during the daytime. When night time comes, the energy is released in the form of light.

Things to consider when choosing solar garden string lights

When opting to buy solar garden string lights, you might first want to decide where to put it. The string lights you have bought just might not end up kept in a box. Next, you must make sure that its location reaches the sun’s rays. If not, your lights won’t work. Next, the bulb’s design must blend in with its environment. You might be hanging angel-shaped lights against a gory background. You must also take into consideration the length you wish to acquire.

The Pros and cons of using solar garden string lights

Solar garden string lights are decorative and attractive elements for your outdoor landscape and home. They provide the homeowners with a significant amount of satisfaction that cannot be acquired from low-voltage outdoor lighting. String lights give off an “aurora borealis” effect, setting the mood for a perfect romantic evening. Not only that, it doesn’t need any electrical wiring since their power comes directly from the sun’s rays. However, if these lights are situated in areas where the sun cannot reach them, they won’t be able to produce the best results. Solar Garden lights are great night time decor for your front yard. Improving your home’s aesthetic curb appeal doesn’t have to be costly at all with the help of these solar garden lights.

Solar landscape lights are now a thing of the present. If you want to put up lights for a dramatic yet illuminating effect on your front garden, walkway or yard, you no longer have to hire a professional electrician to run wires and do the installation. More than that, you no longer have to think about wires getting wet in the rain, the possible accidents it may cause, aside from the cost of those outdoor electric lights.

Solar Landscape Lights: The Next Big Thing in Landscaping

The alternate option, which has become increasingly popular worldwide, is the use of solar landscape lights. Solar-powered, it does away with wires, and is very easy to install and relocate. These cost-effective lights come in an assortment of designs and styles, from different manufacturers. Some are more decorative than others, while some are designed based on functionality.

However, the basic principle present in all of them is this: they use a solar or photovoltaic (PV) cell to charge the battery which is connected to the light fixture. When the battery is fully charged after a day of exposure under the sun’s heat, it then provides the power or the electricity needed by the solar landscape lights to illuminate your garden when night comes.

At some point in the past, solar light were not all reliable because they only emitted dim lights. Today, technology has flicked its magic wand and is able to produce bright Light Emitting Diodes. These LEDs replace the traditional filament bulbs, creating light without having to waste heat like normal bulbs do. The result is a long-lasting and bright bulb that requires less electricity to operate.

Choosing the Best Solar Landscape Lights

When choosing the perfect solar landscape lights, it is also vital to take note if it matches the function it must perform. Three major types of solar lights are used: task lights, spotlights, accent lights and path lights.

Spot lights and task lights – These are the brightest types of solar lights and are therefore usually the most expensive. Producing a beam of light equivalent to an incandescent spotlight of 40 watts, they are designed to cast a very bright light on areas such as entryways, where it is most needed. Most of these lights are flexible and can be mounted in a number of ways, so that its light can be adjusted to shine towards any direction. These lights are also the most durable and are more ruggedly constructed.

Path  lights – These lights are meant to illuminate your paths, walkways, gardens, or areas around your house – hence its name. Coming in a choice of flange mounts, ground stakes and hanging hooks, they are usually put in multiples to guide you through a dark path or a set of shady stairs. Some of these path lights have on-off buttons, to save energy.

– These accent lights give off a pleasant yet dramatic glow to your garden landscape. With low illumination, these lights are designed to “mark an area,” and not light a pathway. They usually run longer than other solar lights. Accent lights can also be used to mark hazards.