| The use of solar powered lighting is on the rise. | | | | Emitting Diodes) instead of conventional incandescent |
| Driven by high energy costs and environmental | | | | bulbs. LED's are semiconductors that act like tiny light |
| concerns, an increasing number of consumers are | | | | bulbs when an electrical current passes through them. |
| choosing solar as an alternative to traditional | | | | They are very efficient, don't have a filament that |
| "hard-wired" landscape lighting. Ease of installation, low | | | | burns out, and produce very little heat. That doesn't |
| operating costs, and minimal maintenance are also | | | | mean you will not find solar powered lights that have |
| contributing to the increased demand. But how do | | | | halogen or fluorescent bulbs, but LED's are by far the |
| solar lights work? | | | | most common light source. |
| First let's examine the basic components of a solar | | | | - Electronics - Solar lights also have various electronic |
| light: | | | | components and sensors that control functions like |
| - Case - This is the light fixture itself. Cases come in | | | | charging the batteries and turning the lights on |
| all shapes, colors, sizes and materials. | | | | automatically when it gets dark. Some even have |
| - Solar Panel - This is the business end of a solar light. | | | | integrated motion sensors. |
| Also called a solar cell or photovoltaic, the solar panel | | | | Now that we know the components, let's put it all |
| is the part that creates electricity from sunlight. It's | | | | together... Sunlight strikes the solar panel, creating |
| often integrated into the light fixture, but can be a | | | | electricity. An electronic component directs this |
| separate unit that connects to one or more fixtures | | | | electricity to the rechargeable battery for storage. |
| with a thin wire. It's important to note that the solar | | | | When it gets dark, a sensor activates the light, |
| panel makes, but does not store electricity. Without | | | | allowing the stored electricity from the battery to |
| sunlight, the flow of electricity stops. | | | | flow through the LED. The LED glows and we have |
| - Batteries - Rechargeable batteries store the | | | | light. |
| electricity produced by the solar panel. The size and | | | | Yes, the science behind all of this solar magic is a bit |
| number of batteries vary based on the design of the | | | | more complex, but now you know the basics. |
| fixture. The energy stored in the batteries is actually | | | | Essentially, a solar panel charges batteries that power |
| what powers the light. | | | | the light. Now why didn't I say that in the first place? |
| - Light Source - Most solar lights use LED's (Light | | | | |