Installing outdoor lighting can pose many challenges to the homeowner.
In addition to the cost of the lights themselves, it’s usually necessary to hire a licensed electrician to do the installation.
Solar-powered lights are an increasingly popular alternative.
They are affordably priced, simple and safe to install yourself, can be relocated easily, and, of course, you also save on electrical costs.
Task Lights and Spotlights
Solar Spot Lights For Highlights
Task lights and spotlights are the brightest class of solar lights and usually carry the highest price tag.
They are designed to cast a bright beam of light on plants, statuary or entryways.
That said, it is important to realize a solar task light will not perform like a standard 100- watt outdoor floodlight.
A high-quality solar light with good LED’s can produce a focused beam of light equivalent to a 40- watt incandescent spotlight—an impressive amount of light that’s both clean and free.
Whimsical Solar Lighting
Most solar task lights and spotlights are designed so they can be mounted in a number of ways and can be adjusted to shine in any direction.
Often the solar panel can be mounted separately from the light, which allows you to put the panel in a place where it will get the sun, and the light where it’s needed.
Solar task lights and spotlights are generally the most durable class of solar lights.
While nearly all solar lights are weatherproof and UV protected, solar Task lights and spotlights are often more ruggedly constructed.
Solar lights are a smart option for the “do-it-yourself” homeowner.
Choose the type that’s right for your application, and enjoy an outdoor landscape lit by the free energy of the sun!
Extravegant Solar Light Application
If you can think it or dream it, with solar panel lighting, truly anything is possible…
Solar Panel Light For Sheds and Many Other Applications
Solar Panel Applications
Until recently, most solar lights emitted only a dim light and were not all that reliable.
This has changed, as super-bright LEDs have replaced more conventional filament bulbs.
High Output LED For Solar Applications
An exceptional example of this is Seoul Semi Condutors and their amazing P series C bin LED’s with the capability to produce 900 lumens with only one LED.
These are the LED’s found in modern tactical torches (flashlights) and we may be a few days away from a solar powered version of these.
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) create light without generating the waste heat of normal bulbs, so they are very bright, yet require far less electricity to operate.
The result is a dependable, long- term “bulb” that will usually shine for the life of the product.
Other recent advances in solar lighting technology include the development of more efficient, affordably priced photovoltaic cells, improved circuitry, and more efficient batteries.
Solar Lighting
These new solar lights are able to perform year-round—even through the cold, short days of winter—with little variation in performance.
Solar panels or photovoltaic (PV) panels make use of sunlight to provide for a variety of needs.
The area of photovoltaics is concerned primarily with converting sunlight into electricity.
This task is accomplished through the use of solar or PV cells.
Solar cells are assembled into modules, which in turn are combined into solar arrays.
The PV cells make use of semiconductor materials which can conduct electricity.
The most common of these materials is silicon.
This is because silicon is an abundant element- the processing of which does not burden the environment.
Of course, the manufacturing of silicon has to be done in a clean setting.
This is the main reason for the expense of solar cells.
The silicon cells utilized for solar panels can fit into one of three categories:
•Monocrystalline-
These silicon cells are saw-cut from a single, cylindrical crystal of silicon.
They are the most efficient of the three.
Also, they are invariably rigid and require a strong support.
•Polycrystalline-
These are cut from an ingot of melted and recrystallized silicon.
They are cheaper than monocrystalline, but less efficient.
They are also known as multicrystalline silicon cells.
Solar panels made from these solar cells also require rigid supports.
•Amorphous Silicon-
Rather than coming from a crystal structure, these cells are created from a thin layer of silicon atoms.
They are less efficient than the other two, but easier to produce.
In addition to that, this photovoltaic technology can be used for either thin or rigid solar panels.
A Solar Panel Light For Sheds, Out Buildings, Porches or Whatever!
Solar Shed Light
Welcome to a Dependable Solar Powered Shed Light
This is not the run of the mill solar panel light like you will find on Amazon or Nextag, this is a very high quality, newly improved LED model from
Solar Panel Shed Light
Got a shed out back?
Shed With No Service
Light it up with solar power.
Solar Shed Light
Don’t worry about paying an electrician, running wires, or an expensive electric bill.
A Solar Shed Light is affordable and easy to use.
Simply secure the solar panel to the outside of your shed, put the light inside, and you’re done.
You can also use a solar light in your greenhouse, garage, boathouse or workshop.
Save Cash
This Solar Shed Light is charged by a powerful Crystal solar panel and the light fixture holds 24 LED Lights.
A fully charged light will last about 5 hours and will recharge when the sun rises.
Stop paying to light your storage areas.
Utilize the free energy provided by the sun.
• Solar Powered Shed Light delivers big savings on electricity costs.
• It’s easy to set up—no wiring or complex installation needed. No outside electrical wiring needed.
• It has a durable housing, bright light and a long lasting solar charged battery.
• It can be installed on wood, plastic or metal.
• Compass for easy solar panel adjustment.
• Built in night light to find switch easily.
• Lamp type: 24 LEDs. Light duration Up to 2 hours.
• Solar Panel Base (Mounting Area) 7″ High x 6″ Wide.
• All hardware included. Comes with 10′ of cable.
Applications for Solar Panel Lights are endless.
Porches, paths, pools, patios, picnic tables… and the list can get much longer because those are just the P’s!
Solar Applications
Some of the devices in this collage look like things from the future, but folks, this is the future.
Traffic lights, public lighting and signs, cellphones, laptops and a whole slew of other consumables are on the way in an effort to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, foreign oil and just plain save the planet.
Flexible solar rolls and briefcase style solar battery packs are just a couple futuristic ideas that have come to light (pun intended).
This is a very new and exciting form of power in an age where just about everything we use needs a power source from the baby’s toys to the grownups toys.
In addition to the cost of the lights themselves, it’s usually necessary to hire a licensed electrician to do the installation.
Solar-powered lights are an increasingly popular alternative.
They are affordably priced, simple and safe to install yourself, can be relocated easily, and, of course, you also save on electrical costs.
Until recently, most solar lights emitted only a dim light and were not all that reliable.
Outside Solar Lights
This has changed, as super-bright LEDs have replaced more conventional filament bulbs.
Light- emitting diodes (LEDs) create light without generating the waste heat of normal bulbs, so they are very bright, yet require far less electricity to operate.
The result is a dependable, long- term “bulb” that will usually shine for the life of the product.
Other recent advances in solar lighting technology include the development of more efficient, affordably-priced photovoltaic cells, improved circuitry, and more efficient batteries.
These new solar lights are able to perform year-round—even through the cold, short days of winter—with little variation in performance.
When shopping for solar lights, it’s important to match the light to the function you want it to perform.
There are three primary categories of solar lights for use in the landscape:
Task lights and spotlights are the brightest class of solar lights and usually carry the highest price tag.
They are designed to cast a bright beam of light on plants, statuary or entryways.
That said, it is important to realize a solar task light will not perform like a standard 100- watt outdoor floodlight.
A high- quality solar light with good LEDs can produce a focused beam of light equivalent to a 40- watt incandescent spotlight—an impressive amount of light that’s both clean and free.
Most solar task lights and spotlights are designed so they can be mounted in a number of ways and can be adjusted to shine in any direction.
Often the solar panel can be mounted separately from the light, which allows you to put the panel in a place where it will get the sun, and the light where it’s needed.
Solar task lights and spotlights are generally the most durable class of solar lights.
While nearly all solar lights are weatherproof and UV protected, solar Task lights and spotlights are often more ruggedly constructed.
Solar lights that use LEDs have another little-known benefit that makes them especially well suited for landscape use.
Cold Weather
As temperatures drop, LEDs generate an even brighter light, due to their solid state design.
Brighter In The Cold
In this respect, solar lights are superior to low-voltage outdoor lights and compact fluorescent lights, which operate less efficiently in very cold conditions.
LEDs also have a lifespan in excess of 100 ,000 hours compared to 2 ,000 to 3 ,000 hours for the average incandescent.
Solar lights are a smart option for the “do-it-yourself” homeowner.
Choose the type that’s right for your application, and enjoy an outdoor landscape lit by the free energy of the sun!
For more information, read All About Solar Lights and see the Solar Lights department.
Related Products Solar Lights: Spotlights, path lights and nighttime landscape accents.
Landscaping: beds, trellises, arches, fences, arbors, lawn care products, edging and mulch.
Solar Panel Light: Solar Panel Light For Sheds
Accent Lights
Accent lights add a pleasant glow to your landscape.
Their relatively low level of illumination is designed to “mark a place,” not illuminate an object or light a pathway.
Due to their low light output, accent lights usually boast longer runtimes than other types of solar lights.
In fact, it is not unusual for a quality accent light to run many nights on just a single day’s charge.
Accent lights typically use efficient multi-crystalline solar cells that allow them to charge even on cloudy days or in partially shaded areas.
Many accent lights utilize amber LEDs to create an even softer ambience than the standard white LEDs.
Some of them also “flicker” to simulate candle light.
Amber LEDs use less electricity than their white counterparts, which allows for even longer runtimes.
Accent lights can be used to mark landscape hazards, such as a large rock that could be tripped over at night, or as garden features themselves, such as the watertight illuminated globes that float on the surface of a pool or pond.
Compared to the other categories of solar lights, accent lights have the lowest light output and are the most affordably priced.
from red and gold to blue and green, these solar spheres cycle through a seven-color fade.
On a 6- to 8- hour charge, the show will last 12 hours or more.
The Ultra-Bright Double Spotlight can be used to illuminate steps or a garden path.
The Solar Security Light has a wider angle of coverage than spotlights.
Home > How-To > Product Guides >
How to Choose a Solar Light
How to Choose a Solar Light
Installing outdoor lighting can pose many challenges to the homeowner.
In addition to the cost of the lights themselves, it’s usually necessary to hire a licensed electrician to do the installation.
Solar-powered lights are an increasingly popular alternative.
They are affordably priced, simple and safe to install yourself, can be relocated easily, and, of course, you also save on electrical costs.
Until recently, most solar lights emitted only a dim light and were not all that reliable.
This has changed, as super-bright LEDs have replaced more conventional filament bulbs.
Light- emitting diodes (LEDs) create light without generating the waste heat of normal bulbs, so they are very bright, yet require far less electricity to operate.
The result is a dependable, long- term “bulb” that will usually shine for the life of the product.
Other recent advances in solar lighting technology include the development of more efficient, affordably-priced photovoltaic cells, improved circuitry, and more efficient batteries.
These new solar lights are able to perform year-round—even through the cold, short days of winter—with little variation in performance.
When shopping for solar lights, it’s important to match the light to the function you want it to perform.
There are three primary categories of solar lights for use in the landscape: accent, path, and task lights (spotlights).
Accent Lights
Accent lights add a pleasant glow to your landscape.
Their relatively low level of illumination is designed to “mark a place,” not illuminate an object or light a pathway.
Due to their low light output, accent lights usually boast longer runtimes than other types of solar lights.
In fact, it is not unusual for a quality accent light to run many nights on just a single day’s charge.
Accent lights typically use efficient multi-crystalline solar cells that allow them to charge even on cloudy days or in partially shaded areas.
Many accent lights utilize amber LEDs to create an even softer ambience than the standard white LEDs.
Some of them also “flicker” to simulate candle light.
Amber LEDs use less electricity than their white counterparts, which allows for even longer runtimes.
Accent lights can be used to mark landscape hazards, such as a large rock that could be tripped over at night, or as garden features themselves, such as the watertight illuminated globes that float on the surface of a pool or pond.
Compared to the other categories of solar lights, accent lights have the lowest light output and are the most affordably priced.
Path Lights
As the name implies, path lights are meant to light paths, walkways, driveway perimeters or other small areas around your home and in your landscape.
They are often used in multiples to guide the way along a set of stairs or a dark walk.
Path lights typically come with a choice of ground stakes, flange mounts and hanging hooks, to give the user a wide choice of positioning options.
Most are designed to focus their light downward.
Path lights may also have on-off switches, a feature that allows the homeowner to “store” the electrical charge for a special event and ensure the longest possible run time.
Some models may offer options such as high-low power, colored lenses, or timers.
Solar path lights are a mid-range choice in terms of price and light output.
Task Lights and Spotlights
Task lights and spotlights are the brightest class of solar lights and usually carry the highest price tag.
They are designed to cast a bright beam of light on plants, statuary or entryways.
That said, it is important to realize a solar task light will not perform like a standard 100- watt outdoor floodlight.
A high- quality solar light with good LEDs can produce a focused beam of light equivalent to a 40- watt incandescent spotlight—an impressive amount of light that’s both clean and free.
Most solar task lights and spotlights are designed so they can be mounted in a number of ways and can be adjusted to shine in any direction.
Often the solar panel can be mounted separately from the light, which allows you to put the panel in a place where it will get the sun, and the light where it’s needed.
Solar task lights and spotlights are generally the most durable class of solar lights.
While nearly all solar lights are weatherproof and UV protected, solar Task lights and spotlights are often more ruggedly constructed.
Solar lights that use LEDs have another little-known benefit that makes them especially well suited for landscape use.
A solar panel (photovoltaic module or photovoltaic panel) is a packaged interconnected assembly of solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells.
The solar panel can be used as a component of a larger photovoltaic system to generate and supply electricity in commercial and residential applications.
Because a single solar panel can only produce a limited amount of power, many installations contain several panels.
This is known as a photovoltaic array.
A photovoltaic installation typically includes an array of solar panels, an inverter, batteries and interconnection wiring.
Photovoltaic Effect
Solar panels use light energy (photons) from the sun to generate electricity through the photovoltaic effect.
The structural (load carrying) member of a module can either be the top layer (superstrate) or the back layer (substrate).
The majority of modules use wafer-based crystalline silicon cells or thin-film cells based on cadmium telluride or silicon.
Crystalline silicon is a commonly used semiconductor.
In order to use the cells in practical applications, they must be:
connected electrically to one another and to the rest of the system
protected from mechanical damage during manufacture, transport, installation and use (in particular against hail impact, wind and snow loads). This is especially important for wafer-based silicon cells which are brittle.
protected from moisture, which corrodes metal contacts and interconnections, and for thin-film cells the transparent conductive oxide layer, thus decreasing performance and lifetime.
Flexible Solar Panel
Most solar panels are rigid, but semi-flexible ones are available, based on thin-film cells.
Electrical connections are made in series to achieve a desired output voltage and/or in parallel to provide a desired amount of current source capability.
Separate diodes may be needed to avoid reverse currents, in case of partial or total shading, and at night.
The p-n junctions of mono-crystalline silicon cells may have adequate reverse current characteristics that these are not necessary.
Reverse currents are not only inefficient as they represent power losses, but they can also lead to problematic heating of shaded cells.
Solar cells become less efficient at higher temperatures and so it desirable to minimize heat in the panels.
Solar Water Heater Design
Very few modules incorporate any design features to decrease temperature, but installers try to provide good ventilation behind solar panels.
Some recent solar panel designs include concentrators in which light is focused by lenses or mirrors onto an array of smaller cells.
This enables the use of cells with a high cost per unit area (such as gallium arsenide) in a cost-effective way.
Frequencies Of Light
Depending on construction, photovoltaic panels can produce electricity from a range of frequencies of light, but usually cannot cover the entire solar range (specifically, ultraviolet, infrared and low or diffused light).
Hence much of the incident sunlight energy is wasted by solar panels, and they can give far higher efficiencies if illuminated with monochromatic light.
Therefore another design concept is to split the light into different wavelength ranges and direct the beams onto different cells tuned to those ranges.
This has been projected to be capable of raising efficiency by 50%.
The use of infrared photovoltaic cells has also been proposed to increase efficiencies, and perhaps produce power at night.
Sunlight conversion rates (solar panel efficiencies) can vary from 5-18% in commercial production, typically lower than the efficiencies of their cells in isolation.
Panels with conversion rates around 18% are in development incorporating innovations such as power generation on the front and back sides.
GROW Energy-Producing Panels
Combine Solar and Wind Power
Unique Solar Panel Design
SMIT’s latest technological innovation, the GROW panel, trumps both conventional solar panels and wind turbines in harnessing natural energy.
While its unique panels can capture the solar energy like any other solar panel we know of so far, GROW can also utilize the power of the wind to produce energy as the breeze jostles its leaf-like slender design.
Researchers developing this technology have revealed plans to sell the GROW panels as an alternative energy source through art/design retailers hoping to reach out to the masses through its shapely appeal.
Which might not be such a bad business plan given the aesthetic charisma of the leafy gizmo.
Thanks for stopping by my blog about Solar Panel Light and Solar Lighting Applications.
I went to buy a solar shed light a few months ago and after a few disappointing experiences and more than one return, I finally found a light that worked pretty good for where I needed light.
I try to do my homework when it comes to buying this sort of thing but WOW, just how much information does a guy need to go through in order to not trip over the lawn mower in the shed?
After quite a bit of trial and error I finally realized that its not really the "brand" of solar panel light that matters but more importantly the "type" of solar cells that are being used to capture the sunlight and convert it into energy.
It's not very complicated but it is kind of involved so look around at a few other pages and I'll try to explain what I mean.
I hope that someone can benefit from a few of the mistakes I've made along the way in my effort to "go green".
(p.s. unfortunately with this particular product... you usually get what you pay for.)
Choosing The Right Solar Light For The Job http://solarpanellight.net A high-quality solar light with good LED's can produce a focused beam of light equivalent to a 40- watt incandescent spotlight—an impressive amount of light that's both clean and free. http://solarpanellight.net […]
Solar Panel Light and LED's http://solarpanellight.net Until recently, most solar lights emitted only a dim light and were not all that reliable. This has changed, as super-bright LEDs have replaced more conventional filament bulbs. […]
Solar Panel Light: Solar Panel Shed Light http://solarpanellight.net This Solar Shed Light is charged by a powerful Crystal solar panel and the light fixture holds 24 LED Lights. A fully charged light will last about 5 hours and will recharge when the sun rises. http://solarpanellight.net […]
Solar Panel Light: How To Choose a Solar Panel Light http://solarpanellight.net Other recent advances in solar lighting technology include the development of more efficient, affordably-priced photovoltaic cells, improved circuitry, and more efficient batteries. These new solar lights are able to perform year-round—even through the cold, short days of winter— […]
Solar Panel Light: Solar Panel Light For Porches, Patios or Back Yards http://solarpanellight.net Solar task lights and spotlights are generally the most durable class of solar lights. While nearly all solar lights are weatherproof and UV protected, solar Task lights and spotlights are often more ruggedly constructed. http://solarpanellight.net […]
Solar Panel Light: A New Way To See In The Dark http://solarpanellight.net Accent lights can be used to mark landscape hazards, such as a large rock that could be tripped over at night, or as garden features themselves, such as the watertight illuminated globes that float on the surface of a pool or pond. […]
http://solarpanellight.net Solar Panel Light: An Innovative and Economical Way to Light Your Shed Sunlight conversion rates (solar panel efficiencies) can vary from 5-18% in commercial production, typically lower than the efficiencies of their cells in isolation. Panels with conversion rates around 18% are in development incorporating innovations such as pow […]
A high-quality solar light with good LED’s can produce a focused beam of light equivalent to a 40- watt incandescent spotlight—an impressive amount of light that’s both clean and free.
