Solar-powered street lighting: types of autonomous lamps and applications

House territory, paths, lawns, garden need good lighting. In order to see the courtyard and driveways in the evening, it is not necessary to arrange a miniature Las Vegas by connecting electric lamps.

Solar-powered soft street lighting can be arranged — it's easy to do, and the benefits of such a solution are obvious. Lamps bring practical benefits, contribute to energy savings and improve the decorativeness of the garden. Still in doubt?

We offer more information on solar-powered flashlights. In the article, we examined the device, the principle of operation, varieties, advantages and disadvantages of such lamps. In addition, we have prepared an overview of the best models and options for their placement on a personal plot.

Why pay money for street lighting

In recent years, you can see streetlights not only near private houses, shops, cafes, offices, but also in cottages where owners appear from time to time and for a short while.

It would seem, why invest in lighting where the hosts are only occasionally? But that makes sense.

Multi-colored solar-powered lamps are used to decorate individual zones - artificial ponds, verandas, arbors, etc. They create exceptionally beautiful and unbanal color-lighting effects.

Cottage is a place where people come to relax, enjoy peace, the company of relatives and friends. It should be cozy and beautiful.

In addition, lighting in the country is a definite signal for attackers. It indicates that the house is not abandoned and the owners may be in it.

Street lighting is vital. In any case, it will have to be equipped. The only question is the amount that will have to be invested for its organization and operation.

The most profitable option is the purchase of solar-powered streetlights. They do not increase electricity bills and do not require any special maintenance.

Debunking Myths About Solar-Powered Lanterns

Opponents of solar-powered luminaires for street lighting argue that such devices can not compete with electric lamps. But does it make sense to compare them at all? They were originally designed for different purposes.

Comparison of electric lamps and solar-powered lamps is incorrect. They give a completely different light. The first is bright and sharp, the second is muted and soft

Appointment electric lamps - give a bright contrasting light, thanks to which you can consider all the details. And solar-powered lights have a completely different function - to highlight the territory so that you can navigate normally in the evening and at night.

They are not intended to illuminate areas where vigorous activity is planned requiring attention and accuracy.

Solar lights should not be considered an adequate alternative to electric. They highlight and decorate the territory, form an atmosphere of calm and romance, but are not able to create zones of bright light.

Lights on photocells cannot compete with electric devices in brightness, so it makes sense to organize combined lighting.

For example, an electric lamp is appropriate above the porch of a house. To improve ease of use and energy savings, it can be supplemented motion sensor or photosensitive relay. And paths, lawns, a garden can be illuminated with solar-powered lamps.

When arranging a combined system, you need to remember that electric light blocks the solar lights.

Combined lighting will be successful if electric and solar lamps illuminate different areas and do not overlap. Choosing the right devices for brightness and color, you can organize smooth transitions

The intensity and duration of stand-alone solar-powered street lamps is largely dependent on the weather.

If it is cloudy during the day, you cannot expect good and long-term illumination in the evening, because It takes 8-10 hours of time and good sunlight to fully charge the battery. This is the main disadvantage of street lamps on photocells.

5 reasons to choose lighting on photocells

Lamps on photocells have several advantages that perfectly compensate for the disadvantages:

1. Autonomy. The lights do not need electricity to operate, so there is no need to lay wires and connect devices to the network. This is a significant saving of effort and money.
2. Non-volatility. You can install several dozen fixtures, but electricity bills will not increase.
3. Full automation. Devices are charged, turned on and off without user intervention.
4. Easy to install. The installation of fixtures will require a minimum of time and effort. You do not need to have any special knowledge in order to mount them and ensure normal operation. If desired, the devices are easy to rearrange.
5. Unpretentiousness. Lamps are convenient in operation, do not require complicated care and maintenance.

The cost of high-quality electric street lamps and garden lamps powered by solar panels is not particularly different. The difference in costs becomes apparent during operation.

A solar lamp is a one-time investment of money, and the work of even the most economical electrical appliances involves constant energy costs.

Features of the device and the operation of the lamps

There are many varieties of solar-powered lighting, but their design and operating principle of light panels are about the same. Solar energy is stored using special batteries and accumulators.

When energy is supplied to the semiconductor LED, it emits visible light. The LED control system consists of a light sensor and a microcircuit.

Thanks to the features of its device, lamps can work in both summer and autumn. Depending on the season and the degree of illumination, they turn on from about 6 to 9-10 pm (+)

The luminous intensity of the lantern depends on the strength of the voltage. When the battery runs down, the control system turns off the lamp. It is turned on with the help of a special photocell, the function of which is to convert solar energy into electrical energy.

Installing powerful models is not always convenient. In many cases, it is better to pick up low-power fixtures and install them closer to the ground. This will save on devices, and the quality of lighting tracks will not decrease

When choosing fixtures, one should take into account not only the technical characteristics of the devices themselves, but also the climatic features of the area. Batteries do not withstand frost, therefore, in regions where severe winters are possible, the lamps are dismantled in late autumn and returned to their place only in spring.

In late autumn, when daylight hours are short and the weather is often cloudy, solar-powered flashlight batteries rarely charge fully. However, energy is enough for several hours of lighting in the evening

Most models have silicon-based photocells. This is an important nuance, because devices based on single-crystal silicon are more reliable and durable than models with polycrystalline photocells.

Also pay attention to the type and quality of glass. The best choice is flashlights with polycrystalline photocells and tempered glass.

Varieties of street lamp models

The most popular types of lamps on photocells:

• wall mounted;
• park;
• lawn;
• decorative.

Street lamps can be used in any area of ​​the house territory. In fact, the scope of their application is limited only by the owner’s plans regarding the landscape decoration.

The main thing is that the right amount of sunlight falls on the photocells, and any model will be useful and functional.

Stand-alone lights can be placed wherever the owner considers appropriate. If solar rays fall on solar panels 10 hours a day, high-quality and uninterrupted operation of the lamps is ensured.

TOP 7 best photocell lights

There are no miracles, so a solid lamp is unlikely to be bought for a penny. If the plans include normal lighting of the territory, and not just its decoration with original luminous figures, you should pay attention to quality products.

The wall lamp MJJC-SLYF170 can be installed at any height, but most of all it is useful in low placement. By mounting a pair of such models at the bottom of the stairs, you can improve its appearance, as well as protect yourself and your relatives from injuries

Well proven models:

1. Star Alliance YH0607A-PIR. The case of the model is tight, there is a motion sensor, a system for adjusting lighting modes.
2. MJJC-SLYF170. The low power model is designed to be installed low above the ground. A good option for highlighting the steps, the bottom of the walls of the house.
3. MK02500. The luminaire is designed for wall mounting, the housing is impervious to water droplets and dust.
4. ZY-TYN-T10W. The model is expensive, but the costs pay off with interest. The advantages of the luminaire are power, the presence of a motion sensor, reliability and durability.
5. RDF YD04. The device has a non-banal design and high quality workmanship, but its scope is limited due to the low brightness of the light.
6. Sunlight m3. These are low-power models that place several pieces at once. Advantages - stylish design, relatively low cost.
7. Solar lamp. Light intensity depends on the motion sensor. When it fires, the light comes on at full power. A good solution for lighting the front door.

These are not all high-quality street lamps on photocells. There are other models worthy of attention. Additional information on the types and features of the choice of solar lights is presented in this article.

Many users buy quality appliances through the Aliexpress website. When choosing models in online catalogs, you should be careful not to run into low-quality fakes.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Autonomous solar-powered lights are still not very common, so there are difficulties with their choice. We offer a selection of videos that will simplify the task.

The device of solar lighting devices:

Scheme of the device and repair of the lamp on photocells:

The best models of fixtures on Aliexpress website:

Video review of the lamp from a real user:

Street lamps on solar cells are well protected from moisture, autonomous, easy to operate and maintain. If necessary, they are easy to remove during lawn mowing or tree pruning. The rest of the time they will delight their owners with soft light and pleasant views.

The approximate service life of such a practical landscape decoration is 5-10 years. This is a good investment in the arrangement of the site.

Have something to supplement, or have questions about the organization of solar street lighting? You can leave comments on the publication, participate in discussions and share your own experience in using such lamps. The contact form is located in the lower block.