solar lamp light

solar lamp light

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In case you are unaware, solar lighting has been with us for quite a while now. In fact, Clarence Kemp, filed the first patent for a solar heater in 1891. In the 1940, solar energy became very popular but was so costly to produce that it wasn't until 1970's and new advancements with photovoltaic cells before solar power really moved to the front seat. Then in 1990, Neville Williams, a journalist and former U.S. Department of Energy employee founded SELF (Solar Electric Light Fund) an organization devoted to improving life for rural residents in third world countries.

As solar powered utilities became more popular, production increased, new technologies developed and solar lights became more and more affordable. Today, many solar light fixtures are priced comparable to their electric counterparts. One of the popular uses of solar powered lighting has been for street lights. These lights are often called solar lamp post. There are many designs available for these lights but the most popular seems to be the Victorian carriage style lantern perched on top of a six or seven foot post.

These solar lights are available in different heights, lantern designs and brightness. The solar post light may have a separate solar panel placed 20 or 30 feet away. When the solar panel is separate from the fixture, lights can be placed in a shady area and the panel in an area where there is little shade. However, whether the solar panel is built into the light fixture or independent of the light fixture, all these lights share the same attributes and that is they are powered by the sun. The power gathered by the solar panels charges the battery packs. Light Emitting Diodes or LED is the name for the miniature light bulbs used in solar light fixtures.

The solar lanterns have rechargeable battery packs that are usually made out of lithium Ion of Nickel metal hydride. These battery packs are recharged through the use of the solar panels. Many will last for years before the battery needs replacing but the average battery pack is replaced about every two years. Therefore, the solar lamp post may look a lot like a 19th century gas lantern but the similarity ends with the appearance, the functioning and materials are completely different than those of that period. The intensity of the light fixture will differ greatly some lights have 6 LED's while others may have 12 LED's. Some are also designed with special reflectors to amplify the light. The post and lanterns may be made of glass, aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron or durable plastic. Powder coated aluminum is very popular because it holds up well under severe weather conditions. Many of the high quality lanterns still use beveled glass lens because of clarity and easy of care.

Typically, the solar lamp post comes with one, two or three lanterns perched on a tall gray or black pole. Some of these lanterns come with several mounting options: deck mount, pole mount, wall mount or column mount. Bear in mind that proper placement of solar lamp post is critical, if the solar panel is built into the lantern fixture. To function from dusk to dawn, most lights will need 4-5 hours of sunlight during the day.

So if you plan to use solar lamp post to replace your gas or electric powered lamp post, you will find a wide variety of styles, sizes and prices. Some larger hardware stores will carry these fixtures and there are many Internet retailers for solar lights. When you check out solar light choices, you will see why so many people are choosing this option for adding beauty to the landscape, saving natural resources and reducing their electric bills.

Click Solar lamp post for the best prices and models.

Solar Lamp Post Light