Solar Spot Lights
It’s amazing how lights can transform a plain landscape into a stunning vista. Interior designers often use light to highlight features of a home or brighten up an outdoor area. However, there’s no denying that having lights on 24/7 can be costly and can add a significant amount to your electric bill. While attractive lighting adds to the aesthetic value of your home, it also increases your financial burden through added utility expenses.
However, there’s a way that this burden can be reduced if not eliminated while keeping your home as chic as possible. This is through using solar spot lights. These awesome options are cost-effective yet functionally sound, however, not many people know how they work and what their benefits are. People are not also aware of exactly how they are powered by solar energy, or if they can really work round the clock or at night.
What Are Solar Spot Lights?
What is a solar-powered spotlight? First of all, what is a spotlight? A spotlight is a light device used to highlight particular areas of an indoor or outdoor location. Regular spot lights are either connected to a power source through a grid outlet or by a rechargeable battery. A solar-powered light is just like a regular spotlight — minus the non-renewable energy use. The power source of this type is the ever-unlimited sun making them more portable and more cost-effective than the regular type in the long run.
These lights are often made up of three main components — the solar panels, batteries, and an LED light. Aside from adding aesthetic value to a home and creating a more attractive outdoor space, these lights are also valuable for improving a business location. Signage can be highlighted and be made more visible with a bright light. Since they do not require additional utility expenses as part of the monthly bill, they can really help businesses improve their marketing without breaking the bank. These lights can be positioned almost anywhere as long as they are within reach of the sunlight.
They can be put on the roof to provide overhead illumination, on the ground to brighten up the garden space, or by the door to increase visibility for visitors and guests. Since they come in various sizes and shapes, one can easily choose the best model to match the design of the outdoor space, providing better flexibility at a minimal cost. How exactly do these lights operate, then, and how do they differ from ordinary lights?
How Do Solar Spot Lights Work?
You may have already guessed that solar spot lights are sun-powered, which means they are reliant on the sun’s energy to work. But how exactly do they work? Well, these lights are installed with solar panels. Also called photovoltaic cells, these solar cells absorb photons, or light particles, from the sun. These light particles become the source of direct current to charge the included battery or power cell in the device, so electricity can flow through the circuit and keep the light turned on.
Most of these lights now use LED-type bulbs as they are more efficient, and they require less energy than fluorescent lights. These brightness levels can be adjusted depending on what you need, so the light won’t be too dim or too bright. For example, if the purpose is to illuminate signage, then you won’t need a light that’s too bright; you want dim and yellow light to keep the focus on your signage. The lights come in various shapes and sizes.
The capacity will depend on the brightness requirement; therefore, some lights may have bigger solar panels than others to ensure that there’s a sufficient supply of electricity to keep the lights powered on. The brightness level can be determined by the number of lumens, and it is recommended to read through the label when finding the best light for what you need.
Some also have built-in light sensors, so they will automatically turn on or off depending on the ambient light conditions. This feature definitely adds to the efficiency of this equipment as it eliminates the need to manually turn the device on and off. At the same time, it provides energy savings since the device only turns on when necessary. The next section will discuss the various aspects to consider when choosing your solar spotlight, whether it be for your home or for your business.
How to Choose Solar Spotlight
Now that you understand what outdoor solar-powered spotlights are, the next thing you need to do is to decide which ones to buy. Because of the abundance of choice, this could be a difficult task. So, if you don’t have the time to do your own research, we’ve set out the features to watch out for.
Brands
There are various popular brands out there with good reviews, such as Urpower and Innogear, and there are unpopular brands that are actually good products. Whatever you decide, make sure to check the brand’s customer reviews to make sure that their users are satisfied with the product.
Adjustability
Are you able to adjust the brightness of the device? This can be really important, so you can make use of the lamp for various purposes, and you can dim the light or increase the light intensity when necessary.
Brightness
The lumen (unit of measure for luminosity) is a quick indicator of the brightness of a device. 120-150 lumens should provide sufficient light to an area; although, you may need higher if you need the light to cover a bigger space.
Durability
Since your sun-powered light is going to be exposed outside day and night, you want it to be resilient to heavy rain or extreme heat. Therefore, look for long-lasting materials like aluminum for the housing of the light, and you will potentially be able to use the device for longer.
Of course, there are other features to watch out for such as motion sensors, detachability, or fast-charging. These are nice-to-haves, so if the brand you’re eyeing has them then it could be a great investment. To help you easily find the best brand for your garden, we’ve compiled a list of products for you based on the best solar spotlights currently on the market.
Top 5 Best Solar Spot Lights
5. Mini 50X Twin Solar-Powered Cast Aluminium Warm White LED Spotlight
If you’d like an easy-fix light in your garden, then this product could be what you need. Its metal stake makes it easy to push it into the soil to provide ground illumination. You can also mount it onto a wall with ease. With its 3000K LED lights, it can supply from 60 to 100 lumens of warm light at to up to a 45-degree angle. It’s got an aluminum cast shell that’s impact-resistant, so the lens is well-protected.
With its 3 WP solar panel, it can charge its included lithium battery in a few hours and provide 15 hours of light. It’s got three levels of brightness that can be adjusted to what you need. Since it’s IP55-rated waterproof, it is also protected against water damage. Note that the panel and the light need to be fixed separately.
Pros
- IP55-rated waterproof
- Can have up to 15 hours of battery life on a full charge
- Has a high lumen level
- Impact-resistant
Cons
- The panel and the light are fixed separately
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4. Hikeren IP65 Waterproof Solar Spot Lights
If you’re looking for a high-quality, waterproof solar light for your garden, Hikeren’s outdoor lamp can be a great choice. This has an IP65 waterproof rating, which makes it resilient during bad weather conditions, and it has a highly efficient, polycrystalline solar panel that can keep the light on for up to 16 hours after being fully charged for 6.5 hours. It’s 30-piece LED lights can provide a 180-degree brightness to a given space without needing adjustment.
Its plastic belt allows for flexible installation, whether you want it fixed on a tree or a pole. Its 6-step installation process is easy to follow and doesn’t require various tools to complete. It’s got all the certifications you need to look for in a device of this kind (FCC, CE, ROSH.MSDS, UN38.3), and it definitely speaks of quality and safety of use.
Pros
- IP55-rated waterproof
- Can have up to 15 hours of battery life on a full charge
- Has a high lumen level
- Impact-resistant
Cons
- The panel and the light are fixed separately
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3. Nekteck 2 Pack Solar Lights 2-in-1 Outdoor Solar Spotlights
If you want super bright lights to illuminate your garden, Nekteck’s 2-pack of solar-powered lights can definitely do the job. It’s upgraded 4th-gen model provides 200 lumens with its improved 4-piece LED lights. It’s got a low and high mode and can last for 6 to 10 hours on a full charge. Both its light angle and solar panel can be adjusted by 180 and 90 degrees, respectively, so you can have an optimum angle of illumination and light absorption.
Aside from its being waterproof and weatherproof, it is also guaranteed safe to use with its quality and safety certifications: CE, FCC, ROSH, MSDS, and UN38.3. It also has a 90-day money-back guarantee and a 2-year warranty, so it’s definitely worth the money. You can either stick it into the ground with its stake design or hang it on the wall with its easy-mount feature.
Pros
- Can be either be attached to a wall or stuck into the ground
- Provides very bright light at 200 lumens
- Adjustable light brightness, and angles
- Has a 2-year warranty and a money-back guarantee
Cons
- Only has 2 light modes
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2. InnoGear Solar Lights Outdoor
Innogear’s take on outdoor lights is also notable. It’s got a single 1.5-watt monocrystalline solar panel that has a 30% efficiency, which gives it a shorter charging time than the other brands. On top of this, it also has a light sensor, so it automatically turns off when it is bright and vice versa. It’s waterproof and heatproof and is guaranteed to be long-lasting and safe for use with all its certifications: FCC, CE, RoHS, MSDS, and UN38.3.
It’s got a high and low power modes and, after a full charge, it can last for 6 and 12 hours respectively. It can be installed in two ways, either through ground staking or by wall mounting. Both its solar panel and headlamp can be adjusted to an optimum angle; the panel by 90 degrees and the head by 180 degrees.
Pros
- Has a monocrystalline solar panel
- Certified safe and durable
- Has an auto-shutdown feature
- Waterproof and heatproof
Cons
- Has only 2 light modes
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1. URPOWER Solar Lights 2-in-1 Waterproof 4 LED Solar Spotlight
Topping our list is Urpower’s 2-in-1 solar-powered spotlight. This 1.5-pound device has a built-in light sensor, so it automatically turns on when it’s dark and off when the light is good. This saves a lot of time in manually turning the device on and off. With its powerful solar panel, it can finish charging its 3.7-volt, 2,200 mAh battery within 4 to 6 hours and function for the next 6 to 9.
It’s got 2 light modes: low and high, and it emits a sufficiently bright light with its 4-piece LED lights. If durability is your priority, it can definitely deliver as it is IP64-rated waterproof and is heatproof. Both the light and the panel are adjustable, so you can position it how you please. Installation can be done in two ways, either through ground-fixing with its stake or wall-mounting with screws.
Pros
- Short charging time
- IP64-rated waterproof
- Has an auto-turn on feature
- Adjustable and 2-way fixable
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a warranty
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Pros and Cons of Solar Spot Lights
There are various reasons why you should make the switch. Here’s a list of the benefits and the downsides to expect when going solar.
Pros
- Environmentally responsible
Since solar energy is renewable and practically free, it reduces your carbon footprint. This will help the planet save its depleting reserve of fossil fuels.
- Easy to install
Since a solar light doesn’t require wiring to the grid, you won’t have to worry about its positioning or distance from an outlet. You can mount it to your wall or stake into the ground without trouble.
- Easy to maintain
Most of the brands are waterproof and/or heatproof and don’t have exposed wires, so you don’t have to worry about them getting water damage or circuit damage. Plus, some brands have built-in light sensors, so you won’t need to constantly turn them off or on.
- Cost-effective
Since they don’t add to your electric bill, you can turn them on all night without worrying. Installation won’t be an issue either, so you won’t need a professional installer to help you fix it to your wall or stick it to the ground.
- It can operate even in an outage
You won’t ever lose light, even in an outage, as it is not dependent on grid power to work. Therefore, you always have light.
Cons
- Can take a while to charge
Charging can take from 6 to 9 hours depending on the efficiency and capacity of the solar panel. However, since it is only charged through the sun, you don’t ever need to check its charge level.
- It is dependent on the sunlight
Therefore, in low light days, it can take longer to charge. It is, therefore, important that it is positioned strategically to get as much sunlight as possible.
Conclusion
Lights can beautify your outdoor ground effectively. They can also highlight your signage and improve your road marketing. However, since keeping these lights turned on for the entire night can be costly and can add a significant amount to your electric bill, it is a smart choice to use solar-powered spotlights for these purposes instead. They are eco-friendly, easy to install and maintain, cost-efficient, and independent from the grid, so you can keep the aesthetics without breaking the bank. When looking for a device, make sure to check out brand reviews.
Check if the lights have different light modes or if the solar panel and lights are adjustable to the right angle, so you can have more control. Look for the lumens to determine how bright the light is, and if it is enough for what you need. Finally, check if it’s durable and offers a warranty, so you know it is going to last. Check out the brands listed above, and you will save lots of time looking. Going solar is always a great choice.
