How Solar Lights Work
The use of solar powered lighting is on the rise. Driven by high energy costs and environmental concerns, an increasing number of consumers are choosing solar as an alternative to traditional "hard-wired" landscape lighting. Ease of installation, low operating costs, and minimal maintenance are also contributing to the increased demand. But how do solar lights work?
First let’s examine the basic components of a solar light :
Case - This is the light fixture itself. Cases come in all shapes, colors, sizes and materials.
Solar Panel - This is the business end of a solar light. Also called a solar cell or photovoltaic, the solar panel is the part that creates electricity from sunlight. It’s often integrated into the light fixture, but can be a separate unit that connects to one or more fixtures with a thin wire. It’s important to note that the solar panel makes, but does not store electricity. Without sunlight, the flow of electricity stops.
Batteries - Rechargeable batteries store the electricity produced by the solar panel. The size and number of batteries vary based on the design of the fixture. The energy stored in the batteries is actually what powers the light.
Light Source - Most solar lights use LED’s (Light Emitting Diodes) instead of conventional incandescent bulbs. LED’s are semiconductors that act like tiny light bulbs when an electrical current passes through them. They are very efficient, don’t have a filament that burns out, and produce very little heat. That doesn’t mean you will not find solar powered lights that have halogen or fluorescent bulbs, but LED’s are by far the most common light source.
Electronics - Solar lights also have various electronic components and sensors that control functions like charging the batteries and turning the lights on automatically when it gets dark. Some even have integrated motion sensors.
Now that we know the components, let’s put it all together… Sunlight strikes the solar panel, creating electricity. An electronic component directs this electricity to the rechargeable battery for storage. When it gets dark, a sensor activates the light, allowing the stored electricity from the battery to flow through the LED. The LED glows and we have light.
Yes, the science behind all of this solar magic is a bit more complex, but now you know the basics. Essentially, a solar panel charges batteries that power the light. Now why didn’t I say that in the first place?
By: Mr. Solar
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July 25 2009 01:03 pm | Home and Garden
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