Solar-powered street lighting: types of autonomous lanterns and application options

The local area, paths, lawns, and gardens need good lighting.In order to see the yard and driveways in the evening, it is not necessary to create a miniature Las Vegas by connecting electric lamps.

You can organize soft street lighting using solar batteries - this is not difficult to do, and the benefits of such a solution are obvious. Lamps bring practical benefits, help save energy resources and improve the decorative appearance of the garden. Still in doubt?

We invite you to learn more about solar-powered lanterns. In the article we examined the design, operating principle, types, advantages and disadvantages of such lamps. In addition, we have prepared a review of the best models and options for their placement on a personal plot.

The content of the article:

Why pay money for street lighting?
Debunking myths about solar lanterns
5 reasons to choose photocell lighting
Features of the design and operation of lamps
Varieties of street lamp models
TOP 7 best lamps based on photocells
Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Why pay money for street lighting?

In recent years, you can see street lamps not only near private houses, shops, cafes, offices, but also in dachas, where the owners appear from time to time and for a short time.

It would seem, why invest money in lighting where the owners visit only occasionally? But it makes sense.

Illumination of the pond with solar lamps

Multi-colored solar-powered lamps are used to decorate individual areas - artificial ponds, verandas, gazebos, etc. They create exceptionally beautiful and unique color and light effects.

A dacha is a place where people come to relax, enjoy peace and the company of family and friends. It should be cozy and beautiful here.

In addition, lighting in the country is a definite signal for intruders. It indicates that the house is not abandoned and the owners may be in it.

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Shop owners, cafes, and company executives know very well that there is never too much advertising. Their potential clients have long been tired of obtrusive neon lights. But soft and cozy lighting attracts attention and leaves a pleasant impression. Great alternative to a billboard

Neat small lanterns in the garden will help create an aura of mystery and romance for evening walks. Subdued light does not hit the eyes and does not create harsh shadows. There is an atmosphere of harmony and peace all around. An ideal place to relax after the bustle of the day

Approaches to the house and driveways should be well lit. By choosing large lamps, you can not only ensure normal visibility in the evening, but also decorate the local area. This design is convenient, looks nice, and from the outside the country house itself seems like a magical palace

In a summer cottage, street lighting is no less important than in a country house. This is a pleasant bonus for relaxing in the country and at the same time preventing robbery. It is unlikely that intruders will try to break into a house if there is a risk of running into the rightful owners

Street lighting near the entrance to the building

Romantic evening garden atmosphere

Garden lights along the path

Lamps with photocells at the dacha

Street lighting is vital. In any case, it will have to be equipped. The only question is the amount that will have to be invested for its organization and operation.

The most profitable option is to buy solar-powered street lights.They do not increase your energy bills and do not require any special maintenance.

Debunking myths about solar lanterns

Opponents of solar-powered lamps for street lighting argue that such devices cannot compete with electric lamps. But does it make sense to compare them at all? They are originally designed for different purposes.

Comparing electric lamps and solar-powered lanterns is incorrect. They give completely different light. The first ones are bright and sharp, the second ones are muted and soft.

Purpose electric lamps – provide bright contrasting light, thanks to which you can see all the details. But solar-powered lanterns have a completely different function - to illuminate the area so that you can navigate normally in the evening and at night.

They are not intended to illuminate areas where active activities requiring attention and precision are planned.

Solar-powered lanterns should not be considered an adequate alternative to electric ones. They highlight and decorate the area, create an atmosphere of calm and romance, but are not able to create areas of bright light

Flashlights based on photocells cannot compete with electrical devices in terms of brightness, so it makes sense to organize combined lighting.

For example, an electric lamp is appropriate above the porch of a house. To improve ease of use and save energy, it can be supplemented motion sensor or photosensitive relay. And paths, lawns, and gardens can be illuminated with solar-powered lamps.

When arranging a combined system, you need to remember that the electric light blocks the solar lights.

Combined lighting will be successful if electric and solar lamps illuminate different areas and do not overlap each other. By choosing the right devices in terms of brightness and color, you can organize smooth transitions

The intensity and duration of operation of autonomous solar street lights largely depends on the weather.

If it is cloudy during the day, you cannot expect good and long-lasting light in the evening, because... To fully charge the battery, it takes 8-10 hours and good sunlight. This is the main disadvantage of photocell street lights.

5 reasons to choose photocell lighting

Lamps based on photocells have several advantages that perfectly compensate for the disadvantages:

Autonomy. The lights do not require electricity to operate, so there is no need to lay wires or connect devices to the network. This is a significant saving of effort and money.
Energy independence. You can install several dozen lamps, and your electricity bills will not increase.
Full automation. Devices are charged, turned on and off without user intervention.
Easy to install. Installing the lamps will require a minimum of time and effort. You do not need to have any special knowledge to install them and ensure normal operation. If desired, the devices can be easily moved to another place.
Unpretentiousness. The lamps are easy to use and do not require complex care and maintenance.

The cost of high-quality electric street lights and garden lights powered by solar batteries is not much different. The difference in costs becomes obvious during operation.

A solar lantern is a one-time investment, and the operation of even the most economical electrical appliances involves ongoing energy costs.

Features of the design and operation of lamps

There are many types of solar-powered lighting devices, but their design and operating principle of light panels approximately the same. Solar energy is accumulated using special batteries and accumulators.

When power is applied to a semiconductor LED, it emits visible light. The LED control system consists of a light sensor and a microcircuit.

Design and principle of operation of the lamp

Due to the peculiarities of their design, the lamps can operate in both summer and autumn. Depending on the season and the degree of illumination, they turn on from approximately 6 to 9-10 pm (+)

The intensity of the lantern's glow depends on the voltage. When the battery is low, the control system turns off the light. It is turned on using a special photocell, the function of which is to convert solar energy into electrical energy.

Installing powerful models is not always convenient. In many cases, it is better to select low-power lamps and install them closer to the ground. This will allow you to save on equipment, and the quality of path lighting will not decrease

When choosing lamps, you should take into account not only the technical characteristics of the devices themselves, but also the climatic features of the area. Batteries cannot withstand frost, so in regions where severe winters are possible, the lanterns are dismantled in late autumn and returned to their place only in the spring.

In late autumn, when daylight hours are short and the weather is often cloudy, the batteries of solar-powered lanterns are rarely fully charged.However, the energy is enough for several hours of illumination in the evening.

Most models have photocells made from silicon. This is an important nuance, because devices based on monocrystalline silicon are more reliable and durable than models with polycrystalline photocells.

They also pay attention to the type and quality of glass. The best choice is flashlights with polycrystalline photocells and tempered glass.

Varieties of street lamp models

The most popular types of lamps based on photocells:

wall;
park;
lawn;
decorative.

Street lamps can be used in any area of the local area. In fact, the scope of their application is limited only by the owner’s plans for landscape decoration.

The main thing is that the photocells receive the right amount of sunlight, and any model will be useful and functional.

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Wall lamps with photocells can be mounted on any vertical surface. The main thing is that during the day they are completely open and receive enough sunlight. If you place hanging lights on the walls, the entire area around the house will be well lit at night.

There are many park lamps based on photocells - classic, romantic, with elaborate decor. Models made in the style of minimalism are very popular. They are practical, versatile and suitable for almost any landscape

Lighting devices of unusual shapes and colors are especially popular. Such lanterns decorate the garden not only in the evening, but also during the day. Their original appearance gives the landscape a finished look, and in the fall, when the greenery begins to fade, it pleases the eye

Large decorative lamps are used to decorate parks, gardens, and local areas. They provide little illumination, but they do draw attention to areas that the owner would especially like to emphasize.

Lawn lamps are used for different purposes. Several small balls can mark the boundaries of lawns or flower beds to prevent people from stepping on them at night. They are also installed in alpine slides, rockeries, between trees in gardens and parks

Artificial reservoirs themselves are beautiful, but there is no limit to perfection. They can be additionally decorated with lamps in the shape of balls. Multi-colored models look nice at any time of the day, and at night their light, combined with the reflections of water, will create original effects

There are miniature luminous figures on sale using photocells. A couple of such butterflies or dragonflies can decorate a gazebo, tree or shrub. If you hang several dozen figures, they will become a good illumination of a path, an alley in a park or a flower bed near a house

If you have basic skills in handling devices, there is no need to overpay for ready-made street lamps with photocells. You can make them yourself. Suitable materials include glass jars and long metal chains.

Convenient placement of wall lights

Park lamps in minimalist style

Futuristic design of garden lamps

Decorative lamps in landscape design

Small lawn lights in the garden

Floating lamps using photocells

Tiny dragonfly lamps

Homemade lamps using photocells from cans

Autonomous lights can be placed wherever the owner deems appropriate.If the solar panels are exposed to sunlight for 10 hours a day, high-quality and uninterrupted operation of the lamps is ensured.

TOP 7 best lamps based on photocells

Miracles do not happen, so it is unlikely that you can buy a good lamp for pennies. If your plans include proper illumination of the area, and not just decorating it with original glowing figures, you should pay attention to high-quality products.

The MJJC-SLYF170 wall light can be installed at any height, but it benefits most when placed low. By mounting a couple of such models at the bottom of the stairs, you can improve its appearance, as well as protect yourself and your family from injury

Models that have proven themselves well:

Star Alliance YH0607A-PIR. The body of the model is sealed, there is a motion sensor, and a system for adjusting lighting modes.
MJJC-SLYF170. The low power model is designed to be installed low above the ground. A good option for illuminating steps and the lower part of the walls of a house.
MK02500. The lamp is designed for wall mounting; the body is impenetrable to water droplets and dust.
ZY-TYN-T10W. The model is expensive, but the costs are more than compensated. The advantages of the lamp are power, the presence of a motion sensor, reliability and durability.
RDF YD04. The device has a unique design and high quality workmanship, but its scope of application is limited due to the low brightness of the light.
Sunlight M3. These are low-power models that place several pieces at once. Advantages: stylish design, relatively low cost.
Solar Lamp. The light intensity depends on the motion sensor. When it is triggered, the light comes on at full power. A good solution for lighting the front door.

These are not all high-quality street lamps based on photocells. There are other models worthy of attention. Additional information about the types and features of choosing solar lanterns is presented in this article.

Many users buy high-quality devices through the Aliexpress website. When choosing models in online catalogs, you should be careful not to run into low-quality fakes.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Autonomous solar-powered lanterns are still not widespread, so choosing them can be difficult. We offer a selection of videos that will simplify the task.

Installation of solar-powered lighting devices:

Diagram of the device and repair of a lamp using photocells:

The best lamp models on Aliexpress:

Video review of the lamp from a real user:

Street lamps using photocells are well protected from moisture, autonomous, easy to use and maintain. If necessary, they can be easily removed while mowing the lawn or trimming trees. The rest of the time they will delight their owners with soft light and a pleasant view.

The approximate service life of such a practical landscape decoration is 5-10 years. This is a good investment in landscaping.

Do you have anything to add, or do you have any questions about organizing solar-powered street lighting? You can leave comments on the publication, participate in discussions and share your own experience of using such lamps. The contact form is located in the lower block.

Oleg

Answer

I've been looking at lamps like these for a while now. I want to try to decorate the area at the dacha with them: to highlight paths, flower beds, etc. But there are always a few questions that confuse me:

1.Firstly, are there any options with low temperature resistance? For example, I spend a lot of time at the dacha in winter, and I want everything to glow all year round. Maybe you can install one battery for all of them and put it in a warm garage, and then power all the lights from it... Or is the problem not in the battery, but in the panels themselves? Then this is not an option for our latitudes.
2. Secondly, I can’t fully understand whether this is relevant at all, if the house is located near St. Petersburg and there are a couple of sunny days there in the summer, and even less in the winter... For charging, do you need direct sunlight?

Expert
Amir Gumarov
Expert
Answer
Direct rays are completely optional. Even on a cloudy day, active radiation is enough to charge the built-in battery.
Sergey
Answer
But I would not recommend such lighting to you in St. Petersburg. They will not have time to charge normally. After a sunny day they will work for 3-4 hours, after a cloudy day 1-2 hours. Think about whether two hours of backlighting is enough for you in the dark?
- Expert
  Amir Gumarov
  Expert
  Answer
  Well, who said that the weather in St. Petersburg is so bad? How do people even survive there? And the network is still Foggy Albion - this is England which. There, fogs and cloudy weather are even worse, but believe it or not: they also use not only similar lamps, but even full-fledged solar panels.
  Yes, the performance of the lamps will not be so high if the weather is not clear, but even on a cloudy day, the light penetrates the clouds and the photocells of the batteries catch it. Thus, productivity reaches 30-40% of maximum. This means that the lamps will work at night not for 1-2 hours, but 2-3 times longer.And no one forbids using ordinary lighting as the main one if the lighting from solar-powered lamps is not enough.
  In addition, you can assemble such a lamp yourself. Here's a diagram if anyone is interested.
  Attached photos:

Ivan

Indeed, it is pointless to compare electrical devices and solar devices. I installed solar powered lights in my yard. It is very economical and easy to install. Over the entire period of use, I tried many different types and realized that I need to choose flashlights only with polycrystalline photocells, then there will be no problem with their frequent replacement. There are a lot of models, but you shouldn’t skimp on the choice.