More people are exploring different types of energy sources not only to save money but to have a more environment-friendly lifestyle. Of all the alternatives, solar power is favored by many people, largely because solar panels and batteries have become more affordable and powerful in recent years.
As a result, solar lights are often preferred for outdoor lighting. Many patios and gardens feature them because they allow homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint and utility bills. Local governments have hopped on the bandwagon by using solar lighting to become less dependent on carbon energy and more reliant on renewable energy sources.
Another reason why solar lights have become so popular is they&#;re easily available and are cost-effective. Solar light is more durable than other energy alternatives as long as its solar panels and batteries are given proper maintenance and care. If you own solar lights, here are five ways to make them last longer:
Since solar energy primarily relies on light, you need to consider a couple of things before purchasing a solar energy system. You need to think about its suitability to the climate where you live, the amount of sunlight that your area receives, and the place where you intend to place your panels. Solar panels need to receive a lot of light to store energy so weigh these matters carefully beforehand.
Some types of lights &#; like garden fairy lights &#; require more energy. You need to make sure that you have enough sunlight to power your outdoor lighting and that the area where you place your panel is exposed to strong sunlight.
A common problem in outdoor lighting is maintenance and cleaning. Solar lights are commonly placed outdoors where they&#;re exposed to the elements. They accumulate dust, dirt, and all kinds of debris. Without proper maintenance, your lights will be covered in dirt and dust which could accumulate in crevices and sensitive parts of your lighting fixture.
If your panel becomes too dirty, your solar garden fairy lights may not be able to collect sufficient energy from the sun. Homeowners need to clean the panel&#;s surface frequently to ensure the durability and service life of their outdoor solar fairy lights.
Solar lights need to be placed in an open space to receive the maximum amount of light. This will also extend its lifespan and help ensure a full battery charge. If you want to use solar camping string lights in your yard, it&#;s best to install them in a place that is largely open to the elements where they can receive the most natural light.
Using your solar energy equipment this way reduces the risk that your battery&#;s storage capacity will wane, and ensures fully-functioning lights throughout the night.
Even in areas where the climate is tropical or arid, there will be times when the outdoor temperature can be very cold or freezing, particularly during nighttime in arid regions. Fairy outdoor lights do not last long in such conditions. The lack of sunlight can drain your solar energy system&#;s batteries.
Also, if the conditions are too cold and cause snow and ice to form on your equipment and lights, it could damage its inner workings.
If you live in such an area, turn off the system during the colder months. Remove the batteries and place your solar energy equipment in a dry place.
This brings us to our last tip: If you continue using your twinkle solar lights or fairy lights even in poor light, your solar lighting system will degrade since it isn&#;t collecting enough energy for extended use.
If you live in a place where the climate could reach freezing temperatures and periods of sunlight are insufficient, turn the system off and keep it in a dry place where it&#;s protected from the elements.
What We Recommend: Ollny Solar-Powered Fairy Lights
If you don&#;t want to worry about your solar and twinkle fairy lights, Ollny offers outdoor lighting that will resolve all of these issues. Their solar-powered fairy lights are IP67 waterproof and resilient to intense rain, mist, and even snow.
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Ollny&#;s solar-powered fairy lights can be configured in a variety of shapes and arrangements so you can use them to light floors, walls, and any place you want to install outdoor lights. As an added feature, Ollny offers remote control solar lights that can be conveniently turned on and off with a click of a button. You no longer need to get up and go outside just to operate them.
If you want to know more about how our solar-powered outdoor lighting can illuminate your outdoor areas, visit Ollny Solar Lights. Enjoy a brilliant and well-lit home without harming the environment.
Solar powered lights add a lot of features to outdoor landscaping, giving you more flexibility when designing your garden. To get the most out of your solar outdoor lights, you still need to maintain and use them properly. Outdoor solar landscape lightscan last for many years of continuous operation if well cared for. Of course, choosing a high quality brand is also important. In this learning article, we present some tips for improving the lifespan and performance of solar powered lights.
You have just installed solar lamp post lights or hanging solar lanterns and you are now illuminating your garden at night. These solar garden lights work simply by using power from solar panels and one or more rechargeable batteries. Through the PV effect, the solar panels generate electricity from sunlight and thus charge the batteries during the day. When it gets dark, the energy stored in the batteries powers an LED light.
Related article: Solar Powered Lights - Go Green and Brighten Your Landscape
Siting and panel tilt angle
Solar panels are found on top of solar garden lights. Although geographic location and weather conditions strongly affect solar panels' output, you can always follow a few simple steps to optimize your lights' performance. In order to fully charge the panels, you should put the solar lights in an outdoor space where there are 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Pay attention to trees, walls or roofs that could shade the solar panels and lower their output during the day. Also, the panel tilt angle of some garden solar lights, like security solar lights or solar power spotlights, can be adjusted to make the most of the sun. In the United States, for example, you should set the panels' tilt angle to about 30 degrees in summer and 45 degrees in winter. Naturally the panels should also be facing south.
Charging before use
You may be excited after purchasing a set of solar path lights and eager to install them. However, don't immediately put them to use. First allow the lights to be exposed to direct sunlight for about 5-10 cycles (charging at day and discharging at night) in order for the battery to charge to its full capacity. Afterward you will find that the lights can last at least 8 hours in dark, almost from dusk to dawn.
Avoid street lighting
Most solar garden lights are automatically turned on and off by a light sensor that detects surrounding light levels. At night, when light levels are below a value in the sensor's memory, the light is activated. Similarly, the light will automatically turn off at dawn when it detects more light. In order for it to work properly, the sensor needs to be sited properly. When choosing a spot for your solar light, ensure that the device is not placed near night-time light sources such as porch lighting or street lighting.
If it is poorly located near a light source, the solar light sensor will react to ambient light as well as artificial light source simultaneously. The high powered porch or street light (compared to solar landscape lights) will thus decrease the sensitivity of the solar light sensor and could even eliminate the solar light's automatic activation capability.
Cleaning solar panels
It is important that dirt and debris is kept off of the solar panel to the greatest extent possible. A dirty solar panel will not fully charge the battery and thus shorten the battery life. Operating solar lights covered with dirt and debris may cause the light to malfunction. To maintain high performance make sure to clean the panel regularly with a dry cloth and warm soapy water. Also, remember to clean snow off the panel in winter.
Battery replacement
Generally speaking, the rechargeable battery can be replaced every two years in order to maintain the maximum capacity. If you have a long winter or extreme weather conditions in your area, it would be better to change the battery every year.
Storing solar lights
Solar lights for garden can be left outside year round, even in cold weather. However, if you wish to store your light indoors for more than three days, follow these steps to prevent damage to the light's rechargeable batteries:
Using these basic and simple tips, you should get years of use out of your solar landscape lights, solar patio lights and other solar lights you use outdoors.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Solar Light Systerm.