Solar-powered courtyard lighting: types of devices, advantages, how they work
Solar-powered yard lighting is a novelty that is gaining more and more fans. Such devices create beautiful soft light, fit perfectly into the landscape, help illuminate footpaths, improve visibility near the house, decorate a garden or courtyard. However, they do not require a lot of electricity costs.
The device and principle of operation of the lighting device
This type of luminaire consists of the following parts: a panel or solar battery, a storage device (battery), and also LEDs. In the daytime, the battery converts the energy of the sun's rays into electrical energy, and its accumulation occurs in the battery. Then it goes to the LED (modern analogue of an incandescent light bulb). It is much more economical, has an even, bright light and a long period of operation.
The brighter the sun, the more energy the device can store.
The advantage of such a lamp is that it will work even in cloudy weather, but with less efficiency. The luminaire durability and the level of its operation depend on what material the device battery is made of. It is better to choose devices based on silicon batteries, since they are more reliable than polycrystalline ones.
Regardless of its size, shape or installation method, all street lamps include the following mandatory elements:
- The battery is also a solar panel. This part is responsible for converting sunlight into electricity.
- Battery. Energy accumulates in this part during the day.
- Lighting block. It is responsible for lighting, consists of a body, a shade and an LED light bulb.
- Controller. Its task is to turn off and on the supply of eclectic energy to the lighting unit.
- Mount (you can hang or install the lamp).
The duration of the lamp's operation depends on the brightness of the sun.
Each device has a light sensor on a photocell. With the onset of dusk, he turns on the lamp, which will work from 18:00 to 23:00. There are also models of lamps with special movement sensors, they react to a passing person or car.
Solar-powered yard lighting: advantages and disadvantages of devices
Solar powered street lights have many benefits. Thanks to this, they are rapidly gaining popularity all over the world.
The main advantages of solar-powered lamps:
- These are stand-alone devices that do not require a cable or network connection. It is enough to install or hang lamp in the selected place, this is where their installation ends. The device is completely ready for use.
- The device is switched on and off automatically by sensors that are built into the device.
- It is very simple to take care of the lamps, it is enough to periodically clean the lamp cover from dust, as well as wipe dirt from the photocells.
- The luminaires have a long service life. High-quality devices will last 10 or even more years.
- These are environmentally friendly devices, they do not harm nature, and also do not pose a threat to humans due to the use of low voltage.
- Solar lamps are lightweight, which makes them easy to move from place to place, as well as hide in the house during the winter season.
The advantages of lamps are much more, which determines their popularity. But any devices are not without drawbacks.
The main disadvantages of such lamps:
- The devices provide not too bright lighting. This is not enough for security purposes. Although there are quite powerful models that can even illuminate a highway well, they are very expensive, so they are not used in private houses.
- The duration of night work is determined by weather conditions during the daytime. If it is raining or the sky is overcast, the lamp will gain little energy. He can only work for a couple of hours. After a sunny day, the lamp will work all night.
- The more reliable the device, the more expensive it will cost.
- Solar panels are quite sensitive to ambient temperatures. They are contraindicated in severe frosts and abnormal heat. Such lamps are best used in temperate climates.
Despite these disadvantages, such lamps can save money on lighting, which is important for a summer cottage.
Types of solar lamps
The principle of operation of all devices is the same, but each of them has certain features. Luminaires differ in power. It is necessary to pay attention to it when choosing a device and correlate with the goals that their acquisition pursues: illumination of the entire area or soft light light just for beauty.
Solar powered lighting is a good investment. Luminaires with motion sensors are especially economical, since they only work when needed.
Varieties of autonomous street lamps:
- Lamps in the form of pillars. These are models that are presented on column legs up to 1.5 m high, sometimes higher. They have an impressive weight. They can be installed directly into the ground, but first you need to prepare the hole, and after installation, compact the earth tightly. Some models can simply be placed on hard surfaces, such as asphalt, paving slabs.
- For installation in the ground. Luminaires of this type have a leg, which can be of various heights: from 20 cm to 1 m. You just need to stick them into the soil in the intended place.
- Wall appliances. They are performed in a variety of styles: modern, classic, retro (in the form of lanterns). Are mounted on the wall of the house, fence, pillars.
- Suspended. Beautiful and mobile devices that are easy to place on branches, hang from the ceiling or beams.
- Recessed lamps. They are mounted in staircases, soil, track bed. For steps, this is the most convenient option, since the light does not come from above, but from the floor, creating good lighting. An important advantage of such lamps is that they do not blind the eyes.
Decorative models made in the most bizarre shapes and figures are very popular. During the day, these are garden sculptures, at night - lamps. No installation is required.
The choice of solar street lighting fixtures
To choose the right street lamp, you should familiarize yourself with all its technical characteristics, and not be guided only by its appearance. Since at first glance, the devices are identical and have different prices. Their price depends on the capabilities of the lighting device.
Solar lamp power
Each lamp must indicate its power in watts. It determines the amount of light that the device can provide. It is this indicator that should be taken into account when calculating the required number of devices for illuminating the site, the distance between them.
Device case material and protection class
For reliable and long-term operation of solar-powered lighting devices, it is necessary that their light block, as well as the body, are well protected from dirt and dust. It is best to buy devices with a protection class of at least IP44. Higher numbers mean more protection.It is better not to purchase a device with lower indicators.
The appearance of the product is also important. Lamps should look aesthetically pleasing, fit into the overall concept of the site.
Operating conditions
The type and type of luminaire determine the operating conditions. The largest models are maximally resistant to subzero temperatures. They do not need to be removed from the street for the winter. Miniature, decorative, in the form of garlands do not tolerate frost. The operating conditions are always prescribed in the instructions for the devices.
The device does not require special care.
Solar-powered lamps allow you to save on electricity and at the same time provide high-quality lighting to your summer cottage. All that is required is to install them in well-sunlit places, then they will work better.
Using solar energy not only saves money, but also reduces the burden on the environment.