Solar-powered lawn lamps: device, how to choose + installation nuances

Illumination of the area adjacent to the house is one of the key points when arranging a suburban area.Today, as a worthy alternative to decorative lamps connected to power supply, analogues powered by solar cells are increasingly used.

How solar-powered lawn lights work and what parameters to consider when choosing products will be discussed in the article.

The principle of operation of solar lamps

Solar-powered lawn lamps are in most cases used as additional lighting for landscape compositions on the site and open, remote corners of the garden.

Such lighting devices are a real salvation in situations where it is not economically profitable to install electric lighting on the street or there is simply no way to lay cumbersome cable switching.

With the help of lawn lamps it is convenient to highlight a children's playground or gazebo in a recreation area, to frame garden paths and flower beds with a lawn with a light outline

The operating principle of solar-powered lamps is simple. The battery built into the body of the device produces electric current under the influence of ultraviolet rays. This electric current recharges the battery. It, in turn, powers the connected LED, which, using the energy accumulated during the day, illuminates the next 1.5-2 meters in the dark.

The main elements of solar lamps are:

1. Battery storage. An element in the form of a dark piece of glass is located at the top of the lantern in order to accumulate maximum daylight.
2. LED matrix. A source that emits light when an electric current passes through it.
3. Electric battery.
4. Light sensor – photosensitive element.
5. Microprocessor. This element, depending on the voltage, adjusts the glow of the LED, and when the battery is discharged to the minimum level, it turns it off completely. In budget models, this function is performed by a transistor.
6. Photocell. A semiconductor device made with a solar battery in one common unit. Its main function is to turn on the lighting device and convert light energy into electrical energy.

The operating time of the device depends on the battery capacity. Solar lights work for about 8 hours when the battery is fully charged.

The photo sensor built into the body of the device reacts to the degree of shading of the area, due to which, with the onset of darkness, the lamp lights up on its own, and goes out at dawn

All lawn lights of this type are equipped with LED lamps. This decision is explained by the fact that LED lighting consumes very little energy and does not create flickering light flux. This is especially true when photopanel performance is low.

LED lamps can be of different colors. This makes it possible to select the lighting of the desired shade, creating spectacular color patterns on the lawns.

Advantages and disadvantages of devices

The main advantage of such lighting devices is that their quality of work does not depend on weather conditions. This is due to the fact that ultraviolet rays are able to penetrate even through the curtain of clouds.

The operating life of recharging devices is determined only by the length of daylight hours; for this reason, in the winter and off-season, the glow from solar lawn lamps is very dim

The undeniable advantages of such lawn lamps also include:

• Autonomy – the ability to place each lantern independently of other lighting fixtures anywhere in the garden.
• Environmental friendliness – the devices do not emit harmful substances into the atmosphere and do not harm the environment.
• Economical – the flashlights do an excellent job with the task assigned to them and at the same time consume electrical energy.
• Reliability – the housings of the devices protect the built-in batteries well from dust and moisture, and therefore they can be safely installed on lawns near water sources.
• Easy to install – to install the device, you do not need to use any components or install additional equipment.

The design options for lawn lamps are varied, making them convenient to match with the landscape design already created on the site.

The only drawback of solar-powered lamps is their vulnerability to sub-zero temperatures. Therefore, in winter, it is better to put portable devices in a closed, warm room.

Main types of lawn lamps

Although the solar-powered lights on sale are famous for their variety, there are only two types of lawn lights. The reason for this is that with this type of lighting the emphasis is not on the covered area of ​​the equipment, but on its decorative component.

The main requirements for a lawn lamp: it must be compact, but at the same time effective and, moreover, fit harmoniously into the landscape, and not stand out as a foreign body against the background of the composition

Lawn lamps come in two types: decorative models and designs with legs. Each has its own characteristics.

Decorative models for flower beds

Decorative type models are devices with a wide base that are convenient to install on any flat surface. The design versions of the housings of such devices are endlessly varied.

Decorative lamps are produced in the form of figurines of fantastic heroes, cute little animals, fancy miniature houses and even precious stones.

Lawn lamps in the form of animal figures or fairy-tale characters can act as a harmonious addition to a rock garden or rock garden

The main feature of decorative lighting is that it creates a dim light that covers only a small radius around the device.

Legged designs

Such lighting devices require fixation by recessing. The luminous element, made in the form of a ball or cone, is located on a small leg.

Lamps on a leg are used to emphasize the contours of lawns and lawns, delimit flower beds and highlight paths in the garden. The height of such models is about 30 centimeters. When the leg is deepened, the lighting is located almost on the surface of the lawn.

Lamps on a leg in the dark will help to focus attention on the beautiful landscape compositions of the site and highlight paths for moving around the garden

To create decorative accents and illuminate a large area, use lawn lamps with a stem length of about half a meter.The pointed rods of such products are crowned with bodies with luminous elements, made in the form of flowers with openwork foliage, or soaring birds or fluttering butterflies.

The following selection of photos will familiarize you with the typical design of a lawn lamp powered by solar energy:

We also recommend reading our other article, where we talked about how to organize solar-powered street lighting on your own site. More details - go to link.

Criteria for choosing wisely

Lawn lamps are designed for use outdoors, and therefore the housings of such devices are made of materials that are resistant to precipitation. Plastic or metal copes best with the task.

Metal products are coated with powder paint to prevent the appearance of rust spots and further development of corrosion.

When choosing a device, follow the rule: the larger the battery area, the more intense the release of solar energy will occur.

Two more parameters are important:

1. Photocell modification.
2. Type of glass for the lampshade.

The basis for the manufacture of photocells installed in budget models of street lamps is polycrystalline stone. In terms of operational parameters, it is inferior to multi- and monocrystalline silicon.

The most reliable are photoelectronic module elements made on the basis of monocrystalline silicon. Upon direct contact with the air, they are instantly covered with a protective oxide film, which does not interfere with the scattering of light. But due to this, they are characterized by increased resistance to climate change and chemical influences.

To obtain an effect in which most of the direct rays and half of the scattered ones are reflected, it is better to choose lanterns with glass that has a smooth surface

Regarding the ability to reflect and scatter light rays, products with tempered glass have the best qualities. If you want to create diffuse radiation, preference should be given to models with reflective structured glasses.

Nuances of installing lighting fixtures

Lamps with built-in solar panels must be placed in such a way that the sun's rays hit them in a straight path.

Lanterns can be arranged in small groups, using elements of the same sizes and shapes, or “scattered” around the area, creating a random effect

Lawn models are equipped with a special leg made in the form of a peg. To fix the lighting fixture to the surface, you just need to bury the peg in the ground. You can do this manually. The main thing is not to use excessive force so as not to break the device.

If you have to install it in dense compacted earth, then before deepening the peg you need to prepare the place. To do this, at the point where the lighting device is supposed to be placed, loosen the ground with a pitchfork or shovel, and then make a depression. After installing the device’s leg, all that remains is to carefully compact the earth around it and level the surface.

Caring for such lighting devices involves periodically cleaning the housings of the devices from dust and dirt. And the main thing is to remove dust and small debris adhering to the top side of the case where the solar battery is located. It is better to wipe with a damp soft cloth to minimize damage to the protective film applied on top.

With proper care, solar cell manufacturers indicate that lawn lighting fixtures can last 5 to 10 years.

To remove heavy dirt from plexiglass, it is allowed to use detergents designed for wiping glass. It is not allowed to use abrasive pastes and powders for this purpose, since they are contraindicated for plexiglass.

As noted above, in winter it is better to put portable lighting devices in the house. The only exceptions are all-season models, which can easily withstand any temperature fluctuations and negative environmental influences.

Methods for eliminating the main types of breakdowns

The most common malfunction of lighting devices of this type is a breakdown in the relationship between the battery and the power container. This occurs as a result of oxidation of particles at the junction points. Some “craftsmen” solve the problem by hitting the device. But such actions provide only a short-term effect and can also damage the equipment.

If the contact is interrupted due to the displacement of the battery relative to the contacts of the container, you need to remove the battery and then carefully pull out the negative spring. The problem can be eliminated by disassembling the lamp: you need to clean the contacts of the battery poles and the power container with a piece of sandpaper.

In the future, to prevent the battery from moving, it can be fixed in the case using double-sided tape.

There are situations when, as a result of storing the flashlight in the shade for a long time, the battery stops charging. In this case, you need to use a tester to check the voltage on the battery. Voltage readings should be in the range of 1.1-1.4 V. If the measured values ​​correspond to the standard values, you need to place the flashlight in the maximum illuminated area to recharge the battery.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

An analysis of the design features and characteristics of devices using photocells will help you with choosing lamps for landscaping the local area.

How does a flashlight with a built-in solar battery work:

Review of LED lamps for lawns and flower beds:

Lighting a suburban area by using solar-powered lamps is quite profitable and economical.By placing such lighting in your garden, you can easily achieve an effect in which even unpresentable herbaceous plants that do not have much aesthetic value in the daytime will “sparkle” in the evening hours.

What kind of lawn lamps do you use in your suburban area? Please share your impressions of using them and photos of the lamps. Tell us if you are satisfied with the performance of the devices. Leave your comments in the block below the article.