When deciding where to place solar security lights for maximum security, you may not have many options.  If the area where you most need the nighttime illumination doesn’t receive much direct sunlight during the day, it may be difficult for the solar panel component to fully recharge.  For example, you may need to attach a security light to a north wall with an overhanging roof where the fixture would receive no exposure to sunlight.  To avoid this problem, make sure you purchase a fixture with a cable that is long enough to mount the solar panel on the roof or on a south or west wall where it will receive adequate sunlight exposure.

You should also make sure that the solar security light is made from non-corrosive materials like stainless steel or plastic, so that it will not be damaged from exposure to moisture.  Weatherproof materials will ensure that the floodlight continues to work even in bad whether, which is when you are likely to need it most.

Finally, consider purchasing solar security lights that use LED technology.  While LED lights were not as powerful as halogen bulbs in the past, there are now solar super bright LED floodlights available that put out up to 50 watts and are powerful enough to light a flagpole.  LEDs are a great choice, since they draw less energy from the battery than halogen or incandescent bulbs, and they last up to 20 years without having to be replaced.  You’ll save on the cost of buying replacement bulbs, and you’ll rest assured knowing that your security light will function when you most need it.

Solar lighting can provide a solution to the hazards of poor outdoor lighting.  It can be used to light up steps or ramp edges that can’t easily be seen in the dark, or on walkways that cover uneven ground.  For some, the cost of installing electrical wiring along a winding walkway may be prohibitive.  Solar path lighting is an inexpensive alternative.  Other options include solar step lights or solar lighting along a dock or ramp.

There are a variety of outdoor solar fixtures that can be mounted on poles and anchored into the ground, or can be mounted with clamps that attach the fixtures to the edge of a ramp or step.  For optimal lighting, select a product that uses a bright LED light.  With this option, you won’t have to be concerned with burned-out bulbs, since LEDs can last for up to 20 years.  The illumination provided by an LED is similar to a halogen bulb.

The majority of outdoor solar path lights include built in photo cells and solar panels.  This means that they are able to recharge continuously, and they will automatically light up when darkness falls.  If you purchase lights that use rechargeable Ni-Cad batteries, the solar lights will function even during times when they don’t receive enough sunlight to be fully recharged during, for example during the winter or after a series of cloudy or overcast days.

Decorative pathway lights are available in an array of colors, with amber, green, blue, and red being the most common.  Still, white light is the brightest and most effective for providing the best lighting for outdoor safety.  You should know, however, that white light that ranges too close to the cool (blue) end of the spectrum can be glaring and irritate those who are sensitive to it.  You’ll want to check with the manufacturer to make sure that the “white” light you choose is closer to the warm (yellow) end of the visible light spectrum to provide optimal comfort and safety.

Solar post lights come in a variety of unique and elegant designs.  If your home is a traditional architectural style like Victorian, Colonial, or Craftsman, there are many beautiful traditional fixtures to choose from.  On the other hand, if you prefer something sleek and modern, you can also find contemporary post lights to suit your tastes.

Early on, solar lighting did not provide as much illumination as electric lighting.  Since that time, solar panel and LED technology has advanced a great deal, and modern outdoor solar lighting is just as effective as hard wired lighting, with some notable advantages.

Solar LED components are designed to last around 20 years, so you don’t have to worry about continual maintenance or the expense of replacing burned out light bulbs.  Even though older LED components gave off illumination much weaker than a halogen bulb, modern super bright LEDs put out light similar in strength to halogen flood lights.

Another advantage of outdoor solar lighting is that there is no need to pay for electrical wiring, which can be pricey when fixtures are installed a great distance from a home’s electrical service.  In contrast, outdoor solar post lights can be installed easily just about anywhere on your property, no matter how far from the home’s electrical source.

If you plan to install solar light posts in an area that doesn’t receive much direct sunlight during the day, make sure you buy a fixture with a removable solar panel.  That way, you can store the solar panel remotely where it will receive enough sunlight to fully recharge, but the post light can be positioned wherever you most need a light source.

LED displays in outdoor lights often include built-in reflectors and prisms to enhance illumination.  These are usually permanent components that cannot be modified later on.  Because some people strongly prefer cool or warm spectrum lighting, it’s best to ask questions or carefully read the product description to ensure that the fixture you are considering purchasing is at the end of the spectrum that you prefer.

Ordinary LED lights are usually not as powerful as those powered by direct electrical current.  A typical table lamp, for example, uses a bulb with an output of 60 watts.  In contrast, a typical solar accent light gives off only 4 watts.  It’s easy to see why solar lighting used to be suitable only for decorative lighting, like floating pool lights, tier lights, string lights, or pathway lights.

But technology has evolved so that modern super bright LED lights can give off up to 50 watts.  These lights combine several LEDs with specially designed reflectors and lenses.  These LEDs are strong enough to light a flagpole or security light.  These new generation LED outdoor solar lights also have a backup power system in the form of sealed lead-acid batteries.  Solar technology is continually advancing, so you can be certain there will soon be an even greater selection of brightly illuminating solar powered outdoor lighting products as time goes on.

Solar floating lights typically feature built-in photo cells and solar panels, so that they will turn on automatically at sunset.  Weighing under a pound and measuring from 4 to 25 inches wide, they are small and lightweight enough that you can easily place them in direct sunlight to fully recharge them for up to 8 hours of nighttime lighting.

As an added advantage, LED lights can last for up to 20 years without replacement.  They also come in a variety of colors (blue, green, amber, red, and white) that can be mixed and matched to complement the colors of your outdoor living space.  They are available in flat disk shapes or globes, so that you can pick the style and size that best accents your water feature.

Many manufacturers provide stake mounts that allow you to use the lights to accent borders and pathways in addition to using them in the water.  You could try bunching several smaller lights together to create a decorative grouping on your patio or deck.  Or, you could use a larger stand-alone sphere near a plant or sculpture that you would like to highlight.

Solar floating lights can be used to spice up your outdoor decor in other ways too.  If you’re having a party, float a colorful solar light in the ice used to chill the punch or other beverages.  Once you start thinking about the possibilities, it’s easy to let your imagination run crazy with all the ways that you can use them to enhance your outdoor living space.

First, figure out whether you want to buy and install permanent fixtures, or whether you prefer movable ones.  If you are a homeowner, you may want to invest in concrete-anchored pole lights, or a gazebo to hang solar string lights.  But, if you are renting a home or still aren’t quite sure what style of lighting you prefer, you can choose portable solar lighting that can be moved or changed later on.  Products from hanging solar lights to solar pole lights come in portable versions.  This way, you can test different arrangements, and take your investment in solar lighting with you if end up moving to a new home.

Next, consider whether you prefer ground lighting or hanging lighting.  Be aware that any lights that sit on the ground will use up floor space on your patio or deck.  If you have a large outdoor space, this may work just fine.  But, if you are dealing with a small space that barely accommodates chairs and a table, or a tiny balcony the size of a closet or entryway, then you might be better off choosing hanging solar lighting.  The simplest option is solar string lights, which are quick and easy to install.  Unlike ground lighting, they can be hung out of the way, and they create a charming ambiance that can be enjoyed all year long.

Lastly, think about whether you have any ornamental plants or outdoor art that you want to emphasize.  If so, you might consider a solar spotlight to highlight these items.  Pointing a spotlight at a decorative plant or sculpture makes a bold visual statement in an outdoor living area, and can also be enjoyed from indoors if you can see your deck or patio from inside the home.

However, I think I need to seek medical attention for my addiction to have the most colorful front yard in the neighborhood…

Denver Garden July 2009

Before you make a purchase, consider where you’d most enjoy accent lighting.  Solar accent lights are relatively inexpensive and convenient to install, but if you’re not sure about your budget, hanging string lights are the simplest and least expensive way to add charm to your outdoor living space.  They’re not permanent, so you can try them out to see whether you enjoy them and where you prefer to put them.

Planning where to hang them is fairly simple.  Decide where you’d like to put them, then measure the space to come up with the length of lighting you’ll need.  Do you have hooks or brackets already installed that can be used to hang the lights?  If not, then figure out where you could install them, and put these on your shopping list.

Next, you’ll want to decide whether you prefer to use multicolored lights (typically used as Christmas lights, but there’s no rule prohibiting you from using them throughout the year!), a single color strand (pick your favorite color, or choose something to coordinate with your patio furniture), or a clear string.  Clear string lights are sometimes called “Italian” lights, because they are often used to decorate Italian restaurant patios.

All of these choices provide warmth and charm, so it really boils down to your preference.  Of course, if your budget permits, you could try a couple of different color set ups to find out which one you enjoy the most.  This is just one of the advantages of starting with a small and portable solar lighting project.

Most solar string lighting can be used right out of the package.  But if you need to install hooks or hangers, you may need a screwdriver and drill to position the solar collectors to get maximum exposure to direct sunlight.  They may need to charge for a few days before turning the lights on for the first time, so be sure to take this into consideration if you want to use the lights for a party or event.

After the lights are fully charged, you can enjoy them all year long if you like.  You’ll be surprised at how much romance and whimsy string lights can bring to an outdoor living area.  Even when the weather is cold, they make for a charming sight from the warmth and comfort of your indoor living room.

When planning outdoor accent lighting, you can combine form with function.  Start by evaluating how you use your outdoor space.  If you spend a lot of time on your deck or patio, consider hanging solar string lights (also known as “fairy” lights because of the whimsical touch they bring) for instant charm.  They’re quick and simple to install, and just as easy to take down when you move to a new home, pack up to return home after your long weekend, or when you just want to change the scenery a bit.

For a more formal look, you can add portable solar standing pole lamps to light up your outdoor areas.  There are a variety of styles to choose from, whether you prefer traditional or modern designs.  Create an air of classical elegance with faux wrought iron designs made from lighter weight materials for greater portability; or make a statement with stainless steel, copper, or other metals in contemporary designs.

For something a bit smaller, portable solar tier lights can be mounted on stakes and temporarily anchored into the ground.  Use these to border the perimeter of a patio or pond, or to highlight an ornamental garden or a particularly treasured plant, like your favorite rose bush in full bloom.

Outdoor solar lighting requires little maintenance; you’ll simply need to monitor the rechargeable batteries.  Install outdoor solar lights to create the right mood for the occasion, then easily put them away until the next time you entertain or take a trip.  Solar accent lights are a fun, easy, eco-friendly way to complement any outdoor living area.

A solar light fixture needs to be in an area that receives full, direct sunshine during most of the daylight hours in order for the batteries to fully recharge.  If the solar panel receives only partial sunlight, because it’s in a shaded area or because you live somewhere with cloudy weather, the batteries will run out of power more quickly and your fixture may not be able to provide illumination throughout the night.  Because of this, most outdoor solar lighting fixtures use a backup power system of rechargeable batteries.  Accent lighting and fixtures that use little electricity typically use small AA Ni-Cad or NiMh batteries.  But, more powerful solar lighting fixtures, like outdoor floodlights, usually rely on a backup sealed lead-acid battery.

Solar lights have built-in photo sensors that measure light levels, much in the way that a camera knows when to use the flash.  These sensors monitor light levels and automatically turn the fixture on at sundown and off at sunrise.  For the sensors to work properly, it’s important to make sure there are no artificial light sources nearby, such as street lamps or flood lights.  Otherwise, these may give a false reading and prevent the light from coming on.

LED bulbs are typically used for outdoor solar lighting fixtures.  These use less energy than incandescent bulbs, and last far longer with a lifespan of up to 20 years.  Until recent advances in technology, solar lighting was generally not as powerful as lights powered by direct current electricity.  But modern super bright LEDs can now provide as much light as halogen bulbs.