Solar LED lighting benefits

Solar powered LED lighting is increasingly being used for street lights, residential lighting and even safety lights for construction, schools and other uses.

There are several reasons that people are making the switch to solar LED lighting, because of its benefits:

1.  LED lights use DC (Direct Current) Power

When solar electricity is generated by panels, it is in the form of direct current (DC), rather than alternating current (AC) which is what you get when you plug into an electrical outlet.  Solar LED lights are especially efficient, compared to CFL or other lamps used in solar lighting because they do not require a converter.  This is because LED lights use DC power, which is the same as that which is generated by solar panels.  Any other type of lighting requires a converter before running on solar power, which results in a loss of energy.

2.  LED Lights Have Better Light Output

For solar lighting, use of LED lights have better light output.  They also can be used along the entire lighting spectrum, from bright blue-white to a soft warm glow.  Of course, LED lights come in clear (white) and colored lamps, which allow for creative applications ranging from holiday lights to solar garden lighting projects.

3.  LED Lights are Brighter and More Visible

This is my favorite feature of LED lights!  Not only are they brighter, which makes them more visible, even in daylight or foggy conditions, but they use less energy to burn so effectively (and efficiency).  Bright white LEDs have a superior CRI (color rendition index) for better illumination than traditional light bulbs.

4. LED Lights Use Less Energy

Solar LED lighting is a perfect fit because solar panels can easily generate enough power for their illumination.  Compared to CFLs, LEDs use 1/3 less power, and even less the energy required for incandescent lamps.  Because they are brighter and require less power, fewer LED street lights are required for the same amount of coverage, and municipalities and private property owners save money over time.

5.  LED Lights Last Longer

Solar panels last at least 25 years, so it only makes sense to use them with LED lights, as opposed to other types of lamps.  LEDs have at least a 10-year life expectancy, which is at least double that of halide or CFLs.  Solar LED lighting is a great example of install it and forget it when it comes to street lamps and other long-term light requirements.

Love these cheery holiday solar lights from kaboodle.com

Its not even officially fall yet, but retail stores have had holiday decorations on the shelves for weeks!  One of the most popular items to purchase are holiday lights.  These strands can brighten the exterior of your home, fences, patios and more.  And when you chose home holiday solar lights, you don’t have to worry about your power bill increasing during the dark winter days.

There are many options for home solar lights these days.  Choose among solar icicle lights, solar garlands, solar light strings, solar wreaths, and even snowflake shaped solar lights.  All you need to do is expose the lights, or a small included solar panel, to sunlight each day.

Don’t wait for December to put up holiday solar lights.  In fact, we love these solar Halloween lights that can be installed… now!

It does not need to be a bright, sunny day either.  Solar LED lights will automatically come on at night and stay illuminated for 8-10 hours, without the need for electrical cords, wiring or outlets.  How convenient!

The benefits of holiday solar lights include: (1) no power to run them!  they use solar energy which is free and abundant; (2) LED lights burn brighter and last longer than incandescent bulbs, which means you don’t have to replace holiday lights as often; (3) no need for finding an outlet to plug into – this gives you more options for decorating your yard and home with solar lights.

Its easy to find home holiday solar lights at a number of retailers (Target, Lowes, WalMart, Home Depot, etc.) and online at specialty sites and also Amazon.com.

Solar powered LED street lights

LED street lighting can better illuminate roads and walkways, and save municipalities money.  Using funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 , cities and counties across the nation are turning to solar powered street lights, as well as other LED street lighting options.

Compared to “typical” street lights, LED lights use significantly less energy and last longer.  Even if they are slightly more expensive at the outset, they pay for themselves in savings over time.

Is it any wonder that solar powered LED street lights are appearing on more roadways than ever before?

Not only municipalities, but private property owners use LED street lights to illuminate parking lots and pathways.  School districts are increasingly choosing LED lights to brighten sports stadiums, as well.

Of course, with the Christmas season upon us, LED holiday lights are also glowing on homes, buildings and trees!

When solar energy is used to power LED lights, there is no need for trenching and wiring.  Often, solar panels are positioned at the top of the street lamp itself.  Ultraviolet light is absorbed during the day and then, at night the lights come on automatically and glow until dawn.

Sounds like a really bright idea to me!

This is the absolute brightest solar-powered, motion-activated outdoor security floodlights on the market. The 80 LEDs never burn out or need changing. This environmentally friendly unit puts out the light equivalent of a 40 watt halogen bulb without using one bit of electricity, drawing the free power of the sun. This means low energy costs and low environmental impact with an amazing amount of light. Installation is so simple, no electrician needed.

(more…)

From the Manufacturer

CCI Moonrays 91225 Solar Powered plastic path light verona style, 10-Pack, black. This set of 10-path light fixtures helps to illuminate any area that needs added safety. They nicely mark the edge of a driveway or sidewalk, garden steps or swimming pool perimeter. The black plastic fixtures have one white LED and cast a soft glow, blending into the landscape of any home. Fixtures have durable plastic construction for longevity in all weather conditions.

(more…)

3 pcs of beautiful Wild Grass LED Lights are connected with a solar panel. Great product for your garden, patio and pavement illumination and decoration.
*** Fiber optical grass can be easily arranged into different shapes. People even make bouquet out of it when they twist those grass wires. ***No A/C wire or outlet needed when using these solar lights. Self sustained for years to come. *** Good for holidays decoration and regular seasons year around.

(more…)

Solar Sunflowers in Austin, Texas (images by David Newsom)

The 15 towering solar sunflowers located near the LEED-certified Mueller Development include solar panel “petals.” During the day, the petals provide shade for pedestrians and cyclists along the path, while soaking up sunshine with the solar photovoltaic panels.  The energy is then used to power LED lights which illuminate the path after dark.  Excess solar electricity from the public art is fed back into the grid.

Solar sunflowers illuminate at night using stored solar electricity-powered LED lights

This public art is a shining example of form meeting function.  Design team Harries/Heder created the solar sunflowers to be an icon for the LEED-certified development as well as a visible reminder for people traveling along I-35 of the green, energy conscious city that Austin, Texas has become.

Not only do the solar sunflowers help the environment by generating clean renewable energy and providing shade along the pathway, but their striking form distracts onlookers from the loading docks behind the Mueller Development stores.   Simply, the match of form meeting function with this public art project is one that should be emulated by other artists across the country!

Sunflowers, An Electric Garden is the City of Austin’s largest public art installation.

3 pcs of beautiful Wild Grass LED Lights are connected with a solar panel. Great product for your garden, patio and pavement illumination and decoration.
*** Fiber optical grass can be easily arranged into different shapes. People even make bouquet out of it when they twist those grass wires. ***No A/C wire or outlet needed when using these solar lights. Self sustained for years to come. *** Good for holidays decoration and regular seasons year around.

(more…)

Blooming Solar-Powered LED lights open up in the sun

Going green doesn’t have to be boring and utilitarian!  Phillips shows that you can employ solar energy and cool design with its blooming solar powered street lights.

Check out the gorgeous, unique street lamps, shown to the left, which were designed for the Phillips Simplicity Event in 2008.  If you can believe it, the Sustainable City Lights actually open up to the sun like the flowers in nature from which they are inspired.

Phillips LED street lights include five photovoltaic (PV) panels on the “flower petals,” that open up during the day to absorb sunlight and convert it to solar electricity.  At night, the petals close the the LED lights illuminate the city streets below.  Phillips street lights have sensors that automatically light up the surroundings when the sun goes down, and people walk in proximity to the lamp posts.  Otherwise, the system conserves energy by remaining off.

The efficient solar panels and timing system of the Phillips blooming solar-powered street lights generate more than enough energy to illuminate the streets.  Extra power is fed back into the grid for use by other power consumers.

Phillips Brings Great Street Lamps to Life!

Beauty and smart design, inspired by nature!

Love these amazing street lamps!

Beautiful and captivating - the solar sun jar

I cannot wait for the longer days of summer!  Lingering outside on our deck in the backyard until the sun goes down is one of my favorite things to do.

This year, I’m planning on getting a few of these solar sun jars to keep the sun shining just a bit longer.  This is renewable energy at its most basic and beautiful!

Solar sun jar comes in a number of glowing colors

Also referred to as a “flameless candle,” solar sun jars glow with power from sunlight.  All you have to do is put the jar outside during the day.  A small solar panel absorbs solar power, which is stored in the internal rechargeable battery to power the LED lights after dark.

Much like solar garden lights, the solar sun jar has a sensor; when the skies darken, the light automatically comes on.  Then, when the sun comes up again in the morning, the solar lamp will darken (and recharge) during the day.

With a full charge, the solar light will glow for 8 hours or more!

Of course, there is also a switch to manually turn the solar light on or off.

You can purchase the solar sun jar in a number of colors: red, blue, orange pink or green.   Prices range from $20-30 USD, depending on where you purchase them.  My favorite site is Amazon.com, which offers free shipping!

Get your glow on!