When it comes to light, what’s better than going straight to the source? Solar light does just that, harvesting energy from the sun to power both indoor residential light and outdoor landscaping and garden lights. Here’s a general breakdown of how the two systems work.
Solar outdoor lights don’t need wiring so they are easy to install and move around. They work by absorbing and storing energy from sunlight during the day and releasing it at night. They consist of a solar cell enclosed in a plastic case which usually sits on top of the lighting fixture. The solar cell is wired to a standard, rechargeable battery that stores energy to light the fixture at night. Solar outdoor lights are usually equipped with LEDs, or light emitting diodes, which can conduct electrical currents without wiring. A photoresistor detects darkness and directs the controller board to turn on the LED light. LED lights don’t burn out, can stay lit for about 10 hours, and have an average life expectancy of 25 years.
Solar outdoor garden lights are available through companies like My Solar Shop, the Corona, and Solar Cynergy. Aside from sunlight, they require no energy source, saving money and sparing further costs on the environment. Unlike harsh fluorescent lights, solar lights produce a soft glow that works well to illuminate garden paths, patios, decks, and driveways.
Your residential lighting can be powered by solar energy in various ways. One is through solar electricity. Solar energy is converted to electricity using photovoltaic (PV) technology. PV panels are often configured in conjunction with a home’s grid power system using a grid tie inverter. At night, electricity is drawn from your grid to power indoor lights and other electrical appliances. In this manner, you can actually generate credit on your electricity bill when your solar system produces more electricity than what’s used in your home.
Another way to harness solar light indoors is through skylights or standalone solar electricity systems that are usually used in sheds, gazebos, garages, cabins, or outhouses that don’t easily connect to the electricity grid. Like solar outdoor lighting, they absorb and store energy during the day and release it at night. These light fixtures must be connected to a solar panel, which is wired to rechargeable batteries that store energy to light the fixture at night.
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