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Solar Light

Outdoor Solar Lights: The Ideal Choice for Tasteful Outdoor Décor

Choosing "the best" outdoor solar lights is really a matter of individual style. You may want to feature lights that are decorative, traditional, modern or even fanciful. Solar lights are great for decks, patios, pools, walkways, driveways and gardens. Whatever your preference for a solar lights, it is not going to be difficult to find a type that you will like for years to come.

Solar Lights Explained

A solar light houses a solar panel that collects energy from the sun and then converts it into power for the operation of the light. A nickel metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable battery stores the energy. The battery is turned on and off by a sensor allowing it to come on automatically at dusk and extinguishing at dawn. An LED lamp emits the light.

How long the light last throughout the night depends on the size of the solar panel and battery. Usually solar lights will work for about 10 hours with a fully charged battery. The brightness of an LED lamp is comparable to a 2-watt bulb. It takes 12 volts of electricity to power a low voltage landscape light.
Solar rechargeable batteries last approximately 1,000 nights and are easily replaced when they stop charging.

Path, Garden and Driveway Solar Lights

Set of 2 Solar Lanterns - Create a charming welcome along walkways and flower beds with solar lanterns. The LED stays lit for up to 8 ½ hours. Choose either soft amber or bright white light by pushing a button on the lantern. Set includes two 17-inch shepherd's hooks for hanging the lanterns or you can stake them in the ground.

Solar Lights - Low profile, staked solar lights come in a stainless steel or copper finish. The lights lend a contemporary look to your driveway or walking path. A top solar panel gathers the light during the day allowing it to stay on for 12 hours at night. Lamp maintains a bright LED white light. Solar lights have an 11-½ inch post that sits on a 5-inch stake.

Solar Color Changing Lights - Add some color to the night. Place the solar lights around a pool to give it a magical appearance. The constantly changing colors are yellow, green, blue and red. One AAA rechargeable battery is included with the light.

Solar Driveway Light - Mark the end of your driveway with the sleek solar driveway light. Constructed from stainless steel and plastic, the durable fixture will stay lit for up to eight hours.

House Solar Lights

3 Way Solar House Light - Versatility makes the 3 Way Solar House Light an economical choice. Classic, square shape will go with any kind of house. Secure the light to the outside of the house, stand it on a fence post or keep it on the ground for pathway lighting. Wall mount, base and stake are all available with the light.

Cordless Flood Solar Light - You are free to stake the flood light anywhere in your yard without cumbersome cords or the need for electrical wiring. All you have to do is stake it in the ground. Position the solar light to shine on decorations, garden features or house address. The floodlight gives you 12 hours of light.

Mini Solar Spot Light - The spotlight is perfect for those nights when you get home late. Use it to illuminate your house number, mailbox, or keyhole. The light continues all night until the morning.

Attach the light fixture with screws or double-sided tape.

Fun Solar Lighting

Solar Glow In The Dark Garden Lights - Delight passersby with beautiful garden lights that emit a green glow. Globes have a unique swirl pattern made from artist rendered glass.  The design is meant to resemble the spinning earth. Lights come in a set of three and are connected to a solar panel by a 10-foot cord. Stake the luminous solar lights in flowerbeds.

Solar Animated Flower Lights - Surprise visitors with these flower lights. The flower petals remain open all day so the solar panel in the center can capture the sun's energy. At night, the flower closes and beams with light. The waterproof lights are packaged in a set of two.

Solar Tiki Torch - Give your backyard island flair with the solar tiki torch. The torch harmlessly burns with solar light. Light comes with mounting hardware.

Solar Lighted Toad and Turtle - Pay homage to our natural friends by placing a lighted toad or turtle around your landscape. No, they are not radioactive. They radiate with a soft low light from sitting in the sun all day.  

It's the energy efficiency, helpful lighting and atmospheric illumination that make outdoor solar lights a common sight in many beautiful properties.

About the Author

Smith Donna is a freelance writer who writes about a host of topics including landscaping products such as outdoor solar lights

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How does the technology in a Solar Garden Light work?

Could someone provide me with a fairly detailed explanation of how the technology in a Solar Garden Light works. Thanks!!

p.s. didn't know where else to ask this, if anybody could suggest a more appropriate category, I shall promptly move it there.

I don't know how to do links, so go to Howstuffworks.com and type in Solar Lights into the search. Under 'Explanations' the first three results should be what you are looking for.

Happy learning!

edit:
I think I figured it out...testing...

http://home.howstuffworks.com/solar-light1.htm

how to make a simple solar light, part 1