SOLAR YARD LIGHTS ARE VERY POPULAR

But Like Any Lighting Product They Have Advantages and Disadvantages

Solar yard lights are becoming very popular these days. Go into any landscaping store or home improvement center and you’ll see them everywhere. But like any product, they get both good and bad reviews. And much like any other type of lighting product, you get what you pay for.
 
 Outdoor landscape lighting has really taken off in North America in the last couple of years. Outdoor light systems used to be for the rich – line voltage was pretty much the only solution. Then low voltage lighting came along and made outdoor lights affordable for everyone. And finally, solar landscaping lights have started to grab a good deal of the market.
 
 Up until recently, there were probably more negative reviews concerning solar lighting products than positive ones. Consumers would place them in their yards only to find they didn’t provide nearly enough illumination for any practical purpose, or get frustrated because after a short time the light didn’t work at all.
 
 But solar garden lights have dramatically improved in recent years due to new technology, better construction and the introduction of the Light Emitting Diode bulb.
 
 There are definite advantages to a solar yard light. A consumer doesn’t need to worry about connections or hiding wires across pathways, over decks etc. They are easy to move around and you can experiment with different positioning as you try and achieve the lighting effect you are looking for. There are no electrical bills to worry about and no maintenance requirements. Sounds perfect!
 
 The disadvantages however, are that solar lights are dependent on the amount of sun they get during the day. At higher latitudes, winter sunlight is not enough to charge a light for the whole period of darkness. Cloudy weather also affects the charging efficiency of many solar light models. You can’t get around it – these lights need direct sunlight to charge sufficiently to provide illumination for the entire period of darkness.

 In solar lighting, you get what you pay for

 The final point to consider when shopping solar, is that like any other product, you get what you pay for. The lights that break after one season are normally the mass produced cheap versions. Quality solar lighting lasts for years – but is more expensive. If you’re serious about using solar illumination, don’t buy the cheap plastic models – go for something with more quality and durability.
 
 Solar outdoor lights are not for everyone. But many swear by them and there are wonderful products that will last and provide beautiful illumination in any garden.

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