Seven Great Ways to Use Solar Lighting
By Kriss Bergethon
By Kriss Bergethon
With a move toward green energy & other reliable energy sources, solar powered systems are becoming more & more popular. Solar powered lighting is dependable & bright & useful in many situations. Here are seven perfect ways to make use of this ever renewable energy source.
Sign Lights
There is nothing more frustrating than installing the perfect business sign, especially those all important real estate markers & knowing that, as soon as the sun goes down, the sign all but disappears. A very easy solution to the dilemma is the solar sign light. These easy to install sun-powered systems mount just above the sign, soaking up the sun’s rays during the day & then illuminating the information at night. Most potential customers do not have time to look around during the day because they work, so the solar powered sign light is sure to gain attention at night.
Transportation Shelters
In every large city, buses & trains run non-stop through the night, meaning that shelters at every stop must be lit up. For safety reasons, these lights are very important & invaluable. No one would want to wait at a bus stop in the dark. The electricity spent on these all-night lights means an enormous drain for the city caring for the stations. So… So… Solar powered lights at these shelters means that electricity is no longer needed. In some solar powered systems, the lights can even be installed with a motion sensor, meaning the shelter is illuminated once an actual person steps inside.
Traffic Signals
Many of a city’s signals & lights may either be wired to electricity, consuming dollars $ $ by the hour, or battery operated & unreliable. These signals, including speed detection indicators, flashing yellow warning lights (like at school crossings or pedestrian right of ways), & other small but important lighting systems. These lights can easily be switched to solar power, saving hundreds of dollars $ $ a year in electricity or cutting out unreliable battery systems.
Parking Lots & Streets
With electric parking lot & street lights come quite a few hard problems. The first being, of course, the large amount of money spent on electricity. Another issue is the problem of dependability. An electric light is in a chain with others will cause lighting problems for many other lights if it goes bad. Solar powered lights are each independent of the others, meaning each will work solely on its own, making these lights much more reliable & cost effective for any situation.
Yards & Gazebos
Solar powered lighting options for the outside of a home are varied in style & size & are available in both decorative & useful designs. From small solar lights to mark a path or walk, to larger lights made to illuminate a gazebo to large lights meant for security, the options for the home are endless. These cost effective lights save an immense amount of electricity, & offer the sturdy reliability for years to come.
Dock Lights
When bringing in a boat on a dark night, or when facing heavy rains & storms, it is imperative to be easily able to spot the dock & mooring. Lighting that is solar powered offers dependable & clear LED illumination that will not actually be effected by power outages. These lights are available as decorative pillars or as track lights along the edge of the dock. There’re many excellent uses for solar lighting, & the seven above are just a few. These low maintenance lights are very user friendly & very dependable, making them an easy transition from standard lighting options.
For more information on Solar Lighting, check out our website.
Kriss Bergethon is a solar expert & writer. For lots more of his useful articles on solar power, please visit Solar Panels, Power Kits & Systems.
