Millions of people have turned to solar powered lights to brighten up pathways and sidewalks for safety from trips and falls. Solar powered Christmas lights have lined hedgerows and roof edges for hundreds of thousands of homeowners across the country. Not to mention, gardens and patios have been beautified and enlivened with color using solar powered lights. So the questio is it worth it for YOU to spend your hard earned money on solar lights? Are there quality solar lights on the market that will last for more than one or two seasons? Lets find out more.
Solar powered lights are well known to provide added security and also beauty to the home when used in a dimly lit area, like along the side of a drive or walk way. This type of lighting is generally easy to install and can be moved creatively to suit your specific needs. Because the lights run on solar power alone, no trenches need to be dug for wires to run in and no batteries in need of constant changing. Also, solar powered lighting can be installed in remote areas that are not located near a power source making it a perfect choice for lighting edges of a property or landscape elements you wish to accent.
Incorporating solar powered lighting into your home landscaping can be accomplished over a 2 or 3 day weekend. The cost of purchasing and using solar powered accent lighting is significantly less than using traditional wired lighting and requires little to no upkeep once installed. There are several types of solar lights available for general outdoor use including deck lights, patio lights, and garden lights. These lights can be installed at the ground level, used at a higher level by hanging on a pole to showcase a large plant in your yard or garden, or even simply placed in a decorative flower arrangement on a table. Their flexibility is endless and only limited by your creativity.
Another option to make your lights perform better is to purchase add-on solar panels that can also aide in getting energy to lights that need to be installed in areas with little sunshine during the day. This does create an instance in which a shallow trench would need to be dug to allow for wiring to run from the solar panel to the solar lights.
So what is it going to cost for a good quality light? Price ranges on the various types of solar powered lights will range from $4.75 to $35 for a single solar powered light. The most basic models, however, are the ones most commonly purchased and finding one that will fit into a specific price range will be easy. Shopping online for different models may make finding the exact fit for your needs easier than visiting a retailer in your area, but be sure to check all the options available. My own personal recommendation is to buy the highest quality (read more expensive) that your budget can afford. The higher quality solar lights come in sturdier housings and can take more abuse from lawn equipment and backyard parties. They also generally have better quality bulbs and can generate more light output (lumens) than inferior products.
In summary, I feel that it IS worth it to consider buying solar lights for your home or garden. These lights are a simple way to add more beauty and security to your home and if left with your property when moving, they may even possibly increase the value of your home substantially depending on their quality and creative placements. Remember, beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.