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Did You Know That Batteries Are Used In Solar Power Lights?

Solar power lights are an easy and effective way to accent your yard or garden. How they work is quite simple. One of the major components of solar power lights are familiar rechargeable batteries. Let's look at how it all works:

Solar Panels The solar collector panel on the light is the piece that collects the sunlight all day long. That panel converts the rays from the sun into energy. This energy does not directly power the light fixture but charges a battery that does so. The more sunlight collected will result in a stronger battery with a longer charge. A cloudy day or the low winter sun will not charge the battery as effectively as a bright, mid-summer day.

Re-Chargeable Batteries It may surprise you that solar power lights actually use everyday rechargeable batteries. The batteries used are replaceable NiCad or NiMH re-chargeables that are charged with the energy converted from the sun by the solar panels. The batteries are recharged all day long and at night they power the light. This process is similar to any rechargeable electronic device - but it is the sun that is doing the re-charging; not the power from an electrical outlet.

LED Lights Bulbs The light bulbs typically used in solar power lighting are LED (light emitting diode) lights. The advantages of LED bulbs are many. These lights can run for 100,000 hours or more, require less power to illuminate, are cool to the touch, do not present a fire hazard, are mercury and toxin-free, produce colored light, and are durable.

Built-In Photo Sensors As night falls, the photo sensors in the lights signal the lights to turn on. The same is true for the morning; the sensor recognizes daylight and turns the lights off. This is crucial to allow the batteries to fully charge during the day.

Uses for Solar Power Lights Being the light given off by solar accent lights is significantly less than electrical lights; these lights are typically used as accent lighting and should not be relied on for safely lighting a walkway or yard. Effective uses include:

• identifying a driveway entrance
• pointing out darkened steps or driveway curbs
• outlining walkways
• decorating decks, patios, and flower beds
• accenting remote garden paths
• accentuating fish ponds and swimming pools

About the Author

If you are interested in learning more about solar power lighting and finding the best places to buy, visit The Solar Power Lights Guide.

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