How small solar lights economically and conveniently lights up your homestead
Small solar lights are devices that can easily solve many of your outdoor lighting problems. They may appear insignificant compared to the high power consuming lamps, but they have the ability to excellently illuminate your home while at the same time reducing your power bills, by a considerable margin. Regardless of their size, they have solar panels fitted on their body that can absorb sunlight, and amazingly convert it into electrical energy. In short, these devices offer a convenient, reliable and cost-effective way to lighting your walkway, yard, or garden.
What are the benefits of installing small solar lights on your premises?
Appearance
One of the obvious advantages of lighting up your landscape at night is to enhance your home’s appearance. Small solar lights make your home and yard visible even after dark. When positioned correctly, small solar lights make architectural aspects of your building pop out. Lights illuminating your favorite garden flowers make out the most out of your scenery at all times of the night. Outdoor small solar lights add a positive sense of drama to your yard.
Functionality
Small solar lights increase the functionality of your al fresco spaces. Thanks to the lighting they provide, you can use your yard long after the sun disappears. Small solar lights attached to deck posts can light your backyard for late-night conversations or dinning.
Home Security
Small solar lights illuminate your home’s exterior making the premises less of a target for crimes such as burglary and vandalism. A burglar cannot approach your residence easily and has fewer hiding areas in the yard, thanks to a well-lit exterior. Lighting up entrance points and walkways makes it tricky for a potential burglar to access your premises unnoticed. When deciding where to place small solar lights for security, consider the darkest spots of the landscape and probable areas where burglars could use to break in.
Personal Safety
Besides protecting your home from burglars, the safety of your family members and guests when entering your homestead is another factor that makes installing small solar lights critical. Home exteriors are full of impending dangers, like drop-offs, pools, stairs, and tripping hazards. Using small solar lights near those hazards ensures they are visible and avert a fall or other injury. Small solar lights that illuminate the walkways, driveway and house numbers allow guests to find your residence safely and with ease.
Common features of small solar lights
- Low energy costs – Small solar lights are known for providing solar radiation without charge.
- Little maintenance – small solar lights have few moveable parts. This means that fewer or no parts exist to break. They are durable and require little attention once installed.
- Small solar lights pose no risk of electrocution. Actually, the lights are harmless, making them safe for kids and pets.
- Economical – It can be quite expensive to run power cables in the walkways or to the woods. Installing sets of small solar lights may be a cheaper, more realistic alternative.
- Small solar lights are versatile. They can be used almost anywhere in your outdoor surroundings.
- Darkness sensors – There is no need of turning them on or off. Small solar lights are built to handle this aspect automatically.
- Easy to install – Small solar lights have no confusing wires which must be set up to your main electrical system. Installing them can be as simple as staking them into the ground or a perimeter wall.
What to look out for when buying Small Solar Lights
So how do you go about choosing the best small solar light for your homestead? First and foremost, you should know that most (if not all) of the solar lights will be composed of Light Emitting Diodes (LED). This is a bright type of light; however, it is different than fluorescent or halogen light.
Small solar lights need to be placed where they will regularly get direct access to sunlight. If they do not get the required amount of sunlight, then, most likely, they are not going to function as they are supposed to. You should be mindful of this fact before you embark on buying these kinds of lights. Typically, they will work perfectly during the summer months. However, if you live in a heavily clouded or shaded area, you can contact a solar technician to advise you how you can enjoy the benefits of these small but effective gadgets.
Additionally, when you decide to light your homestead with small solar lights, be prepared to purchase quite a number, not just one or two. While they may be bright, small solar lights are not as potent as a constant stream of electricity. In a nutshell, it means, if you are aiming to light up an entire walkway, then you should opt for a considerable number of solar lights. They are usually sold in sets of 3, 4, 6, 8 or more units depending on the area you wish to place them.
Next, you should look out for solar lights that can function or provide light for a reasonable number of hours. What the essence of buying a solar light that only illuminates for two hours? You need light for the most part of the night; so, the more hours it can light up your homestead the better. Also, go for ones that are fitted with sensors. Sensors automatically detect darkness and make the solar gadget to turn on or off as required.
Most importantly, go for a style or make that matches your taste. There are various options in the market that range from clean minimalistic designs to small solar lights that are a bit sophisticated. Case in point, you may opt for plain or decorative small solar lights that come in several configurations or appear in the shape of animals or objects.
Recommendations
Nowadays, small solar lights are very convenient compared to the bulky, low-light producing lamps sold a few years ago. They come in a range of styles and are quite affordable, especially when you consider there are no energy costs involved. Here are two of the most preferred small solar lights in the market today.
1. Frostfire Solar Ice Rocks – Path and garden solar lights (Set of 3)
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All solar powered light products from Frostfire never compromise on functionality and quality, and Frostfire Solar Ice Rocks are no different. They are small solar lights popular for illuminating gardens, flower beds, borders and walkways during the night. They easily charge by being exposed to sunlight and illuminates automatically when darkness appears. They do not require any kind of wiring or batteries, making them even more convenient to the users. Most importantly, they are waterproof and can reliably provide light for 6-8 hours.
2. Mpow Solar Lights, 2-Pack 8 LED Bright Solar Powered Security Lights with Motion Sensor Wireless Waterproof
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One of the most highly rated outdoor/security lighting you can get, Mpow Solar Lights, 2-Pack 8 LED comes with three modes of operation that covers your needs from watching a parking lot, walking at night and to securing your home’s perimeter. You are guaranteed of the right amount of light you need for the areas you wish to illuminate at night.
Fitted with an automatic PIR sensor ball, the sensor motion of this solar light can detect motion from far – even your little pets like cats and dogs can activate the solar sensor light. It is waterproof, hence can serve you unfailingly even during the rainy seasons or when experiencing other extreme weather conditions.
Conclusion
If you want to buy small solar lights, first ensure that you reside in a region that enjoys a decent amount of sunlight to power them up. Whatever you purchase, also make sure that it can light your premises without fail for a good number of hours after the sun has set.
