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Since its conception, solar powered technology has advanced exponentially and, as a result, has become increasingly popular. If you’re thinking about making the switch or already have, here are some tips to get the most out of your solar powered light fixtures.
Benefits of Solar Power
Solar energy has taken the outdoor lighting world by storm. Since solar power doesn’t rely on the power grid in order to operate, the biggest advantage of investing in solar powered fixtures is the reduction they can make on your energy bill. Not only do solar light fixtures consume less power, they also require very little maintenance aside from the occasional cleaning and often feature photocells so you don’t need to worry about turning them on at night or forgetting to turn them off in the morning.
How to Position Solar Panels
You may think picking the spot for your solar powered fixtures is as simple as setting it in that sunny patch of grass in your lawn, but you’d only be partially right. Find a spot that receives very little, or ideally no, shade throughout the day when placing your fixture. This ensures it will receive a full charge by sundown. While this may not sound important, make sure the solar panels are not facing east or west. If they’re facing either of these directions, you’re missing out on half a day’s worth of energy as the sun passes behind the panel. If you live north of the equator, your solar panels should face the south, vice versa for those south of the equator. This placement at a 45 degree tilt up will help maximize the amount of solar energy collected.
Effects of the Seasons of Solar Power Efficiency
Dust, dirt, and other debris can greatly reduce the efficiency of your solar lighting. With its long days and short nights, summer is typically the best season for solar energy, but there are ways to help the other seasons increase efficiency. In the spring, simply hosing down or wiping off dust and pollen should be enough, just be sure you’re using a damp paper towel without any type of soap or cleaning solution as those can damage the panels. Autumn is about the same as spring with the added bonus of fallen leaves that need clearing. Winter is often the problem season when it comes to solar power since it has shorter days to charge up and longer nights to power through. Just like the other seasons, clear off dust, debris, and snow as needed. One trick that can help increase how much sunlight reaches your solar panels is utilizing a mirror. If possible with your setup, attach a mirror parallel to the ground in front of the panel. This allows sunlight that would not normally hit the panel directly bounce off the mirror and back into the panel.
Get started adding solar lights to your home. Whether you’re looking for solar pathway lighting, wall sconces, or solar porch lights, find it in our selection of solar powered light fixtures.
