Often exposed to the elements, exterior LED lighting needs to be robust and durable. Often fixed in difficult to get at spaces the very low maintenance of LED technology makes it an ideal choice.
Additionally as LED switches instantaneously it can be used for security lighting in conjunction with passive detectors where prior energy saving lamps were not suitable due to delays in achieving maximum light output.
Most gardening enthusiasts will agree that cleverly placed lights can really bring a garden to life at night time. Flowerbeds, water features and rockeries alike can be appreciated at all times of the day. However, while the idea of an unlit garden at night can be scary, the idea of spending hundreds of pounds on an outdoor lighting system can be even scarier. Fortunately, eco-friendly solar lighting has developed significantly over the past decade, moving away from simple, plastic lamps to far more interesting stainless steel, spherical, coloured lights including the increasingly popular use of LEDs. These developments allow every landscape design fanatic to achieve the look they want while benefitting from both economical and practical advantages.
Economic advantages
The use of solar energy to power these lights means that costs are limited to the initial purchase price. After a long period of time the lights may gradually begin to give fewer hours of illumination and this is simply time to replace the rechargeable batteries, which can be found in most hardware stores. By harnessing a renewable energy source, solar lights have a very limited environmental impact. They do not consume any electricity and do not emit any pollutants, so are an ideal way for gardeners to be as green as their fingers.
Practical Advantages
Solar stick lights work on built-in photo sensors, meaning they turn on at dusk and off again in the daylight or once they have run out of charge. Once set to automatic, these lights do not need to be manually switched on and off so there is no need to fumble about in the dark. Since there is no need for wiring, these stick lights can be placed absolutely anywhere, and can then be easily moved around if the design of the garden ever changes. The lack of mains electricity also makes solar lights a very safe option, allowing children to play freely outdoors. While most are designed to withstand the elements, more delicate solar lights may need to be brought indoors in the case of a hard frost.
The constant improvements occurring in solar cell technology mean that garden lights are today much brighter than the first generation, which should encourage more people to make good use of them. Evenings outdoors are enhanced and made safer by lights dotted along the garden paths or encompassing the patio or decking, while the reflected glow on a rippling water feature adds a touch of calm beauty. Overall, solar lights are a simple and cost-effective way to bring your garden to life after dark.
