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If you want to brighten your backyard while saving money and being more sustainable in the process, the best solar lights are an excellent investment.The lights will charge themselves in the sun during the day and rejuvenate at night.The possibilities for solar lights are endless – you can light a path, light up your deck or light up your pond.But with so many options and so many features, which should you choose?Here is a breakdown of each type of solar light.
As the name suggests, solar path lights are ideal for illuminating paths.These tend to feature a stake design that holds it to the ground, often with solar panels directly on top.If you choose this design, you need to make sure your path has sunlight during the day; otherwise, choose a path light with a separate solar panel.Path lights can add to the aesthetics of a yard or garden when placed properly, but make sure to only use them effectively enough to light the path—too many will appear crowded during the day.While you may prefer to hide these, make sure they don’t pose a tripping hazard.
Buying solar string lights is more for aesthetics than practicality.With this type of solar light, a long cable connects multiple light bulbs, which can be delicate like fairy lights or full size.They are then hung or mulched over the desired area, usually patios or trees and flower beds.They don’t emit a lot of light, but they do make the area look more decorative and add a starlight effect.
When shopping for string lights, be sure to choose lights with the best weatherproof rating.Keep in mind that strong winds can also move and damage these lights, so don’t hang them in overly exposed areas.The biggest downside to string lights is the length of the cable; in most cases, there isn’t enough length or enough bulbs to cover the area, so be sure to check this in the specs before buying.You may also need to prepare mounting points if there is nowhere to hang the lights where you want them.
Designed with practicality in mind, solar floodlights will emit bright and intense light in the area of your choice.They are usually installed in an elevated position, down towards the patio, garage or entire garden.They’re great if you want full visibility for added security.When choosing one, pay attention to its intensity or lumen output.The higher the lumens, the brighter it will be.If you’re buying for security reasons, also keep an eye out for products with motion sensor capabilities.Finally, when you’re installing a floodlight, while you want the best coverage location, keep it easy to use considering you’ll need to get up again to adjust it or change the bulb.
Solar spotlights are very similar to floodlights in terms of brightness, except that the beams produced are much narrower and can be tilted to illuminate specific points.These are a great option if you don’t want to flood your backyard with lights, which accentuate the backyard area instead of illuminating the entire area.Like street lights, these lights are often designed with stakes to hold them to the ground, but they look more prominent.Granted, they’re not the most attractive solar lights during the day, but they offer a good balance of extra safety and aesthetics at night.If the solar panel is part of a spotlight, make sure to place it in a sunny location.
Solar wall lights install on the exterior wall or fence of your home and instantly provide lighting around it.These will brighten up the hotel and help you get out at night.Like all solar lights, these need to receive sunlight during the day and should not be installed in shaded areas.It is also a good practice to check that you are satisfied with the positioning of the light levels before installation.To do this, precharge it and test it.If you’re buying for security reasons, choose one with motion detection.
If you have steps around your home that you can’t see at night, solar stair lights are a good investment.They mount next to each other and illuminate each individual step as you climb.They are relatively unobtrusive and more effective than large single light sources, not to mention they look better too.Since these are for safety’s sake, it’s best to check that you’re happy with the light levels before installing them.To do this, pre-charge the lights, turn them on and find the optimal height to place them.When you order these, make sure you have enough supplies for each step, and keep any spares just in case!
If you’re traditional but want to harness the power of solar energy, you might be interested in solar lamp posts.These provide a good level of light for each post and can make a driveway or patio look very picturesque.Each light post should have a planter or anchoring system to hold it in place.Both options work well, but the anchoring system is safer because it will be buried in the ground.Again, pay attention to the lumen output, as the more it delivers, the brighter it will be.Other useful features include height adjustability and dimming options.
Solar pond lights can make your backyard safer while adding beauty.These lights are designed to be submerged in water and provide an underwater glow that highlights any fish or running water.Be sure to check that the light you’re looking at is actually submersible in the specs, as some are advertised for illuminating water, but only for surface lighting.If you put your lights in a deep pool, look for higher wattages, and if you have fish, remember to turn off the lights after you leave so they won’t be noticeable to predators!
Katie is in charge of everything related to the home, from kitchen utensils to gardening tools.She also covers smart home products, so is the best point of contact for any home advice!She has tested and reviewed kitchen appliances for over 6 years, so she knows what to look for when looking for the best one.Her favorite thing to test is a stand mixer because she loves baking in her spare time.
Post time: Mar-03-2022
