Solar garden lights have become a popular feature of many gardens and outdoor spaces. Their ease of use and aesthetic charm make them a brilliant choice for anyone trying to liven up their garden.
But how do solar garden lights work? We look at the key components and features that set solar garden lights apart.
What are Solar Garden Lights?
Solar garden lights are any type of outdoor lighting that is powered by sunlight. They come in various shapes and sizes, from long strings of bulbs to dandelion solar lights, providing different looks to suit a wide range of outdoor spaces.
Components of Solar Garden Lights
Solar garden lights tend to comprise of:
- LED bulbs
- Solar panels
- Rechargeable batteries
- A photocell (or photoresistor)
- A controller circuit
How Solar Panels Work
Solar panels are actually made up of a collection of smaller photovoltaic cells. Put simply, these are electrical components that generate electricity when exposed to light. This uses something called the photovoltaic effect. We won’t get into the full science as it is quite complex, in fact, Albert Einstein won the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for explaining it! Sunlight typically works best due to its high intensity.
These panels can either be built directly onto a solar garden light or be separated and attached with a cable. What works best depends on where you are planning on having the light in your garden, as the solar panel must be exposed to direct sunlight.
If you are mindful of your impact on the environment, solar panels are a great way of generating clean electricity.
Batteries for Energy Storage
As solar garden lights charge up during the day and come on at night, rechargeable batteries are used to store the electricity generated by the solar panels.
Several types of rechargeable batteries are used, including:
- Nickel-metal hydride (Ni-Mh) batteries
- Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries
- Lithium-ion batteries
Rechargeable batteries are consumable products, meaning they will need replacing over time. It is always important to read the instructions on your solar garden lights to check what type of batteries they use before replacing them.
LED Bulbs as a Lightsource
We’ve all heard of LED bulbs, but what actually are they? LED stands for light-emitting diode. This is an electrical component that works by emitting light when a current is passed through it.
LED lights have become a very popular source of lighting. This is because they are far more energy efficient and longer lasting than traditional bulbs. These attributes make them ideal for use in solar garden lights as they can make the most of the solar charge, plus they will not need changing often.
Automatic Operation
Another key feature of how solar garden lights work is their automatic operation. There’s no point in them coming on and wasting charge in the day, and it is far more convenient for them to come on automatically when it gets dark.
To achieve this, solar garden lights contain photoresistors. These detect light levels and tell the light to turn on or off depending on how dark or light it is. If you find that your solar garden lights are coming on unexpectedly, it can often be that the sensor is dirty and needs cleaning.
In addition, solar garden lights often contain a timer as part of their electrical circuit. This means that the lights come on for a set amount of time, giving you brightness when you need it and not wasting charge by running through the whole night.
Installation and Maintenance Tips
Now we know a little more about how solar garden lights work, let’s look at some top tips for installation and maintenance.
- When selecting where to place your solar garden lights, make sure the solar panel is in a position where it will receive lots of direct sunlight. This will give you the best chance of keeping the lights on longer.
- Regularly clean the lights. Dirt can build up over time on outdoor lights, limiting the functionality of the sensor, reducing the efficiency of the solar panel, and dimming the apparent brightness of the lights.
- As we discussed earlier, the rechargeable batteries will eventually stop working over time. Many models of solar garden lights have removable batteries that can be replaced once they have worn out. Just make sure to check the instructions to ensure you use the right type of replacement battery.
Pros and Cons of Solar Garden Lights
Taking all that we have discussed into consideration, what are the pros and cons of using solar garden lights?
Pros
- Easy installation, no electrician required.
- An environmentally friendly option that harnesses the sun’s energy.
- A flexible option that can add a bit of magic to any outdoor space.
Cons
- Need to be positioned in direct sunlight for best performance.
- Might come on for a shorter time in winter due to less sunlight.
Innovations and Future Trends
Emerging technologies show that there will be a promising future for solar garden lights. Improved battery and solar panel technology will keep lights on for longer. In addition, there is the scope for solar garden lights to join the family of smart devices and be controllable remotely via the internet. Time will tell which of these new features will come to fruition, but exciting times are ahead in the world of solar garden lights.
Conclusion
Solar garden lights work thanks to a variety of electrical components. Solar panels, rechargeable batteries, LED bulbs, and sensors all play a part in keeping your garden well-lit at night. With a good location for installation and a bit of regular maintenance, solar garden lights are a great low-effort investment that can make a big impact.
If you are looking to give your garden a lift, solar garden lights are an effective and sustainable way to bring a little light to your al fresco evenings.