Solar Lighting - Alternative Power

LED lighting has soared in popularity over the last few years, especially with the introduction of the halogen lamp ban, and we predict solar LED lighting will be soon be the next big thing in exterior lighting. Here we look at the pros and cons of LED solar lighting, and what you need to look for when making a purchase.

As more people are looking to cut energy costs and be more environmentally-minded, solar lighting could be the solution for many homes.  There’s no wiring or plugging into the mains, no batteries to replace and no running costs – simply install them and away you go! What’s more, LED lighting is designed to run and run, so you should only need to replace the lights when you want to, rather than when you have to.

One of the main benefits of solar lighting is their ease of set up – no wiring required, no mains supply needed. Which means you can put them pretty much anywhere and don’t need any equipment other than a drill for wall mounting.  Got a garage or shed with no power supply?  Then a solar light would be perfect. Even better, get a solar light with PIR motion sensor and it will only turn on when someone is in range, so it doubles as a security feature too.

One thing to note about solar lighting is that because they operate at a lower power output than mains powered lights, they also give off less light – something to bear in mind if you’re looking to brightly illuminate an outdoor area. They are also dependent on the good old British weather, so a dull and cloudy day may result in less charge in the battery and lower light output. But considering the zero running costs, easy set up and environmentally friendly technology, we still think the benefits of solar lighting far outweigh any downsides. 

At ElectricalDirect we’ve got a range of solar lights to suit any budget – view the entire range here