Benefits of Using Solar Lights
Solar-powered lights are a popular outdoor lighting solution today. These lights are not only a great long-term investment but they also help the environment.
If you’re considering outdoor lights for your garden, there are many options available. From mains-powered lights to battery-operated devices, there are endless alternatives.
However, solar lights come on top when it comes to benefits to your wallet, your property, and the planet too.
In this quick guide, we will list the top 6 benefits of solar lights so you know why you should use this popular lighting solution. So, let’s get straight to it!
Top 6 Benefits of Using Solar Lights
Low Maintenance
Solar lights require very little maintenance. These lights don’t require maintenance because they’re built with extremely durable and weatherproof materials. In addition, bulbs will often last up to 20 years without any maintenance.
Therefore, solar-powered lights are great to set and leave without having to worry about maintenance. Less maintenance means less time and money spent.
Great Long-Term Investment
Solar lights are a great long-term investment because they don’t require electricity to run. These outdoor lights rely solely on sunlight to run, which means you won’t spend any money on electricity.
Moreover, due to these lights being so durable, they make an excellent long-term investment. Investing in solar lights means having free outdoor lighting for several years without the maintenance required.
Lower Utility Bills
Solar lights don’t require traditional electricity to run. This means that your monthly utility bills will be lower than normal. You can save up to $500 a year on utility bills by using residential solar lights.
Furthermore, according to the Department of Energy, the value of your home can increase by $15,000 if you have a solar lighting system on your property. These benefits make solar lighting a great long-term, low-risk investment.
Reduced Pollution
One of the biggest benefits of using solar lights is reduced pollution. Using solar-powered lights as opposed to traditional alternatives can reduce sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxides, and health-harmful emissions.
The reduction of these harmful elements results in reduced pollution. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) discovered through research that solar lights could reduce pollution as well as degradation of land through drilling and fracking.
All in all, solar lights are better for both the environment and public health.
Easy to Install
Most solar lights are extremely easy to install. Solar-powered outdoor garden lights don’t usually require professional installation as you don’t have to run any wiring for them.
As long as your outdoor space gets enough sunlight, it will only take about 1 minute to install a working solar light.
Additionally, as these lights don't need to be plugged into your main's electricity, you have the flexibility to place them anywhere in your garden without having to worry about where the nearest socket is!
Read more: How far apart should path lights be?
Modern Solution
Nowadays, solar lights are an extremely advanced lighting solution.
A few decades ago, solar lights weren’t technologically advanced enough to absorb sunlight efficiently. This would cause common problems with solar lights every time the weather wasn’t sunny or whenever the solar panel was dusty.
However, in recent years solar garden lights have advanced tremendously. Modern solar lights can function efficiently even in winter when there is a reduced amount of sunshine.
FAQs about Solar Lights
What are solar lights?
Solar lights are a renewable outdoor lighting solution. Solar lights can refer to both residential garden lighting and high-scale street lighting.
Solar lights use photovoltaic panels to absorb solar energy to produce lighting. These lighting devices provide outdoor lighting during the evenings and night-time.
How do solar lights work?
Solar lights work efficiently due to a process that involves 5 steps:
- A solar panel receives energy from the sun
- The solar panel converts solar energy into electricity
- Electrical power charges the batteries
- The batteries are activated at night-time
- The solar light switches on automatically
Read more: How do solar garden lights work?
How to choose solar lights?
When choosing a solar light you need to consider how it will fit in with your property, garden, and any other exterior areas. You can also look at the solar path lights’ specifications to find the highest quality lights.
Important tech specs include the IP rating, brightness (number of lumens), number of lights, battery life, solar panel quality, and the design of the lighting fixture.
Ultimately, the best solar lights will have high brightness levels and good battery life. You should also look for good-value solar lights that will add a modern look to your property.
Read more: The best modern solar path lights
Learn more about solar lights
As you can see, solar lights have many advantages. If you would like to learn more about all things related to solar-powered lights, feel free to visit our outdoor lighting blog or shop garden lights here.