Conscious Choice: Solar Yard Lights

August 1999 | Sensible Home

Solar Yard Lights

by James Dulley

Dear Jim: I need outdoor accent and security lights, but I do not want to run any wiring because of walkways and damage to my gardens. Have solar yard lights improved to the point where they are usable? — Sandi K.

Dear Sandi: Solar-powered lights are a perfect match with your needs. With no wiring, you will not have to tear up any of your landscaping. And the styles of many of the new solar-powered accent and security lights have gone contemporary. For versatility, select those that can be mounted either on a post or against a wall. With advances in solar cell technology, the smaller solar cells are better integrated into the design and hidden.

If you tried older solar lights and were perhaps dissatisfied, you will be surprised at the light output, styles, and features of the new ones. The old dim incandescent bulbs have been replaced with high-tech bright LEDs (light-emitting diodes), fluorescent, and halogen bulbs.

Also available these days are solar-powered street number lights. I use a solar mailbox with my lighted street number on the side. There are also separate street number models with four inch numerals. These not only ensure that the pizza delivery person finds your house before the pizza gets cold, but they enhance security, as well. If you ever make a 911 call, the life squad or fire department can find your house immediately — which can make the difference between life and death.

Solar-powered lights that use LED bulbs are the most efficient and provide the most hours of light at night. You would not be able to read by one, but after a sunny day, they can offer eight to ten hours of light. LEDs are most effective for accent lighting and marking pathways.

The brightest solar-powered lights use four- or five-watt fluorescent bulbs. At night with no other lights on, they are quite bright. The fluorescent bulbs, like LEDs, last a very long time.

For combination security and landscaping lighting, select a LED/halogen model. At dusk, the electric eye automatically switches on an accent amber LED. When motion is detected within 20 feet of the light, a bright halogen bulb comes on for three minutes to scare away unwanted guests.

Security-only very bright solar lights are also effective. These typically use small remote solar panels so that the light itself can be located in a shady area, like under a roof overhang.

By the way, solar flashlights and bright lanterns with emergency flashers are great for camping or in your car.

For more information, write for (or instantly download) Update Bulletin No. 756, a buyer’s guide to new high-tech solar-powered accent, security and specialty lights, styles, maximum on-times, bulb types, and prices. Please include $3.00 and a business-size SASE, mailed to James Dulley, Conscious Choice, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244

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