Advantages Of Solar Powered LED Lights - By: John Kuzniar

After many years of promising potential, solar energy is beginning to make a big impact on all our lives. A perfect example of this is the sheer quantity of solar powered lights that have recently come onto the market.

Every year we see more and more types of solar power lighting devices at expos and even in stores. But the type drawing the most interest are the LED lights. Usually, fluorescent lights are the preferred choice over incandescent lights for those looking for more efficiency. But LED solar lights have a number of advantages over even fluorescent lights.

So what are these advantages? Well, one of the biggest ones is the fact that LED lighting can operate continuously nearly as much as ten times longer, or more, than equivalent fluorescent types of lighting. This feature is particularly of importance in instances where the light fixture will be positioned in a spot that is difficult to reach. For example, the top of a 20 foot high neighborhood street light. Additionally, these lights are especially efficient in cold weather where the efficacy of fluorescent lights can begin to decline.

Another advantage of LED lights is that they put out more light than the average fluorescent light. For example, a LED light that is rated at forty-five lumens per watt can give as much light as a fluorescent that is rated at seventy-five lumens per watt.

And, lastly, you need less energy to power an LED light. So, the same sized solar panel can power a large LED light than a fluorescent light. This allows the overall lighting unit to be smaller. An added benefit is that your battery capacity requirements will also be lowered.

Solar power lights run on the energy from the sun. But what happens when there is no sun, sometimes for long periods of time? To resolve this problem, most solar powered lights are designed to be used with some sort of storage unit. This storage unit stores excess energy when the sun is available. It then releases this energy during those times when no sun is available.

At times like this, it is always good to have a reserve of power to draw on until the sun reappears. If you don't have a place to store energy, when the sun goes out, so does your light

But, you can't make do with just any sort of storage battery. You need one that has been designed to perform well in the area of the country where it will be placed. For example, if the area where it will be housed tends to have a lot of cloudy weather, the unit will have to be large enough to sustain the light for those periods. Whereas, in areas with a large percentage of daylight hours, the battery can be smaller.

About the Author

You can find more articles about alternative energy and topics such as solar powered lights and solar pool systems at our website.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/John-Kuzniar/22349

Additional Articles From - Home | Reference & education | Environmental