How To Choose Solar Landscape Lighting
Posted on January 4, 2010
Filed Under Solar exterior lighting | Leave a Comment
When shopping for solar exterior lights it’s important to match the light fixture to the area your want to light. As I mentioned in my article, “Benefits of Solar Exterior Lights“, there are a general categories for light fixtures, each for a different use.
Solar Path Lights: Solar path lights are exterior lights that you add to your landscape to light pathways, walkways and driveways. Multiple solar path lights are normally set up in a line to guide the way along a dark path or beside steps and are designed so their light focuses downward.
Solar Accent Lights: Solar accent lights give off a pleasant glow that will enhance your landscape or garden. They generally have a lower level of illumination than solar spot lights or solar task lights and are primarily used to highlight an entire area as opposed to a specific path or place. When selecting solar accent lights it’s important to note that taller fixtures will allow light to disperse over a larger area that will illuminate the surrounding surfaces. Solar accent lights typically use amber LEDs which create a softer glow of light than the harsher spot light of white LEDs. Solar accent lights can be used to highlight garden sculptures, garden waterfalls and special landscaping features. For a maximum effect, it’s best to place several lights close together.
Solar Spot Lights: Similar to task lights, solar spot lights are brighter than other solar lights and can be mounted in a variety of ways. It’s important to note that solar spot lights will not be as bright as indoor, incandescent spot lights, but should still give you adequate lighting on the area you wish to highlight. Solar spot lights are commonly used in security areas or areas that need to be lit up using motion sensors. They are also used to highlight a particular piece of garden decor either during the summer months or during holiday season. Solar spot lights generally have a more durable covering than other solar lights.
Solar Task Lights: Solar task lights are one of the brightest sets of solar lights and are designed so you can angle the light right where you are working. Most solar task lights can be mounted in different configurations and the light can be adjusted to illuminate in different directions. In most cases, the solar panel of the solar task light will be separated from the light source itself so you can put the task light where you need and keep the solar panel in the most sun-filled, optimal space.
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