Very Economical Solar Lighting Systems
9 April 2009 | Solar Power | 1 Comment
On the home front, photovoltaic lighting systems can be very economical. By using solar lighting system you will save the expense of running electric wires through your home or over/under the ground in your yard. Solar is an ideal power source for providing light on the proch or patio, particularly if you need light for only several hours per night. When determining whether a solar lighting system is right for your purposes, you have to make sure that no trees or buildings block the sunlight to the solar module. Usually placed atop a lightpole, the module must have solar access throughout the day at almost any angle, so it is imperative that the panel face southward without anything impeding the sunlight during peak daytime hours.
The economics of solar lighting system are great, since solar lights usually pay for themselves within a year when you take into consideration the costs of running or trenching wires and the time of an electrician. Plus installation time itself takes only minutes. In addition, solar lights use lower-voltage bulbs with higher quality reflectors in the lamp. This conserves precious energy and ensures that the same amount of lumens is emitted when compared to conventional lights. Lower-voltage bulbs also last longer because of the smaller amount of electricity running through them, so maintenance costs will be less.
Solar lighting systems are available in a wide choice of sizes and light outputs. Larger solar street lights are available, which meet most state and local light-emitting standards. Smaller porch, deck, and patio lights are more common, and are made by several manufacturers. Some units are mounted on small garden stakes that can be stuck in the ground along a walk or driveway. A sensor turns lights on at dusk, and they will remain lighted for several hours after dark.
Last thing that you should know is when buying a lighting system,look carefully at two conditions of operation. One is the amount of sunlight needed to completely charge the batteries. While the batteries will recive a charge even on clooudy days, the packaging or instructions should tell how long the lights will stay on at night following bright days and cloudy days. Second, see what the amount of storage capacity is, which indicated the number of cloudy days the light can still be lit without a successive charge of sunlight.
Tags: Solar Energy, solar lighting, solar lights, Solar Power, street lighting
[...] sensor turns lights on at dusk, and they will remain lighted for several hours after dark.” – http://www.mygreentreasure.com/2009/04/very-economical-solar-lighting-systems/ With a solar panel mounted on the top and low-wattage LEDs, designers hope that in Africa [...]