Providing outdoors illumination is quite a challenging task. As against indoor lighting, once we come out into the open, several factors need to be considered which can have a significant influence on the lighting effects. It is a common misconception that maximum intensity illumination with the highest power possible provides the most efficient outdoor lighting. You can create a unique lighting system by understanding correctly the area that you need to illuminate.
Categories of Solar Driveway Lights
Having solar lights to illuminate your path is an excellent idea. The initial cost of installing solar devices is a bit expensive, but in the long run, you will save lots of money on energy bills. There are numerous other advantages of using solar lighting. So, let’s see what is available. There are different types of solar driveway lights available that will depend on your particular requirements. Here are a few of the main categories:
Ambient and Decorative Solar Lights
These can be used for the driveway to a commercial establishment like a club or restaurant. The lighting is more to add a festive air to the approach rather than of any real utility value.
Solar Path Lights
These lights are useful for showing the way. They are designed to provide sufficient lighting along the length of the approach and give direction to a person without being so bright as to cause a blinding glare. You can use these lights along a garden path or driveway to your home or a commercial establishment.
Spotlights or Focus Lights
These are the brightest lights which you can place at the entrance or exit, and you can activate them through a motion-sensing device. They are useful for security purposes. The entry and exit points of the driveway will be clear for a visitor on the darkest of nights.
Where to get Solar Driveway Lights
Nowadays, the internet is a great place to shop for stuff, and there is a great variety of solar lighting available online. Just like shopping for things in the real market, you need to look around on the internet for a trust worthy online website that deals with solar driveway lights.
The good idea is to visit sites which have a considerable amount of customer reviews. The information we get from such sites will tell us that products on the website are attractive enough for customers to post comments. Then, go to the reviews section and read a few reviews. You can narrow down your search to two or three likely companies and then place an order with the one that has the following:
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- check-square-oGood, positive reviews
- check-square-oUseful features that match your requirement
- check-square-oSome additional unique features
- check-square-oActive customer support and tech support
- check-square-oEasily available with preferably free shipping
- check-square-oNot too expensive or seemingly overpriced
How to Choose Suitable Solar Lights for your Driveway
Choosing solar driveway lights is a bit of a tricky business, especially if you are not a technical person. If you have access to technical knowledge, you will probably be able to locate a suitable choice for your requirement quite easily. However, if you are not very tech-savvy, you can get help from someone who is. Here are our top picks for awesome solar driveway lights.
Suitable Material
Plastic or rubber parts are usually not recommended for outdoor use. Rubber deteriorates, and plastic becomes brittle with exposure to extreme weather conditions. Try to obtain metallic fixtures have a weather-proof coating or paint.
Robust Construction
Twist-and-lock and press-fit components tend to show wear and tear quickly. Ensure that the components of your solar driveway lights are assembled using screws, nuts, and bolts with permanent assemblies that are firmly welded, riveted or soldered into place.
Battery Selection
The rechargeable battery is the heart of your solar-powered device. So while choosing your solar light fixtures, avoid those that use lead acid batteries which not only have a poor lifespan but are highly-toxic. Nickel-cadmium batteries are the best bet but are also quite toxic. A good choice would be a nickel metal hydride battery which is less toxic but retains a charge for considerable periods.
Solar Panel Quality
All solar panels are not the same. Most companies give sketchy details, if at all, about the solar panels that they use in their products. Try to find out some information about the solar panels that are these companies use and that a good quality brand is used (at least a well-known brand).
Firm Foundations
You should be able to fit your fixtures firmly into the ground. They shouldn’t come loose with vibration or get uprooted during high winds or stormy conditions. Choose solar driveway lights with long spikes that can be driven deep into the ground. You may have to pay a little more, but this will prove worthwhile in the long run.
Conclusion
The modern means of outdoor lighting today is solar-powered illumination. This type of lighting is especially useful if you need to light up a driveway. The convenience is two-fold. On the one hand, you avoid expensive and elaborate wiring, and on the other, the lights do not need regular maintenance once installed as they will switch on and off automatically. The cherry on the top however, is that you will save a considerable amount of money in energy bills by utilizing solar energy. Here we will be discussing solar lighting with a particular focus on solar driveway lights
Whether your driveway is in a private home or a commercial establishment such as a store, resort or office, proper illumination of the pathway is essential. Adequate lighting not only makes the approach to your place more appealing but it shows the way and ensures a safe and efficient arrival for visitors on foot or those who come in vehicles.
Now, you should have a good idea about solar driveway lights. Once you follow these simple tips, you will be able to convert your driveway into an impressive approach to your home or commercial establishment, to make visitors feel welcome even in the darkest night.
