Solar-powered luminaires will help create soft street lighting to make the surrounding area, driveway to the garage, garden or courtyard visible. In addition, you do not have to constantly worry about the amount in your electric bill. What lamps are and what is better to choose - let's talk about this later.
Scope of application
The lamp is so universal and important subject that it will not be difficult to find an application. Besides the fact that it will illuminate your site, it can be used as:
- decor element - highlight individual color compositions, alpine slide, waterfall or fountain;
- color effect - various colors and shapes of lamps will help the garden to play with any colors;
- protective agent - any lighting on the territory of a private house will discourage thieves from looking there, because there may be people there.
Decor element Gazebo or a veranda with such lamps will become a favorite place for romantic evenings, get-togethers with friends or family. In addition, you do not have to engage in maintenance - it will be enough just to place the devices in sunny areas.Important! That the device worked smoothly and long, sunlight should fall on him at least 10 hours a day.
The principle of operation and the device lighting
The main parts of such a lamp are the solar battery (panel), the battery and the LED. During the day, the battery converts light into electricity, which accumulates in the battery. Then this energy is directed to the LED, replacing the outdated incandescent lamp - it emits a bright and even light.
The more solar energy absorbed the device, the longer it will shine, respectively. Even on a cloudy day, the battery will work, albeit less efficiently, than on a clear one. From the material from which it is made, depends on the quality and duration of the lamp. Silicon battery is more reliable polycrystalline. 
The device begins to work thanks to the built-in photocell (light sensor), which turns on the lamp at nightfall - it will operate from approximately 18 to 22-23 hours. However, many models are equipped with motion sensors, which will react if a person appears close by.
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Types of lamps
These devices work on the same principle, but each type has its own characteristics. First of all it concerns power. When buying, you need to consider what result you want to achieve - to illuminate the entire territory of the site, highlight some elements, create a muted light for beauty.
Outdoor Autonomous Solar Power Plants
Such devices are most often used to illuminate not only the site, but the entire house. They are very useful in the event of a total power outage, ensuring the operation of not only lamps, but also home appliances. 
Autonomous power plants allow you to save enough energy to operate street lamps for at least 5 hours. The duration of the work may be longer, it depends on the power of a particular device.
Solar power plants are large and high cost - from 2 500 dollars. However, they can serve more than 10 years. Their purchase is worth considering for those who often encounter power outages.
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Autonomous solar street lights
Street lighting, which operates at the expense of solar panels, is a profitable investment not only for owners of private houses, but also for the city as a whole. Especially popular are lamps with motion sensors, because they will consume the consumed solar energy only when needed.
There are such types of outdoor autonomous light supply devices:
- wall mounted - it is convenient to use at the cottage at the entrance to the house, shed or garage;
- LED bulbs - used inside the house after daytime absorption of energy on the street;
- spotlights and lights - The best options for lighting large areas, including public;
- lawn appliances - different forms of small lanterns, which are constantly on the street;
- decorative lights - fancy lanterns in the form of animals, fruits, houses, which do not so much give light, as decorate individual corners of the garden.
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Solar powered floodlights
Suitable for: playgrounds, gardens, entrance to the house, lighting of the building. Searchlights will create a powerful and bright light, directed to the right place. Unlike garden lanterns and lamps, this type of lighting covers a large area. 
Thanks to a special device, the controller having a light sensor, the searchlight automatically turns on after dusk. In addition, the controller monitors the status of the battery and will not allow it to fully discharge. With it, you can adjust the exact time of switching on the device. Also, spotlights are usually equipped with motion sensors.
The searchlight has a very durable, hermetic housing that can withstand all weather conditions. Therefore, do not be afraid that it will fail after a snowfall or hail rain.
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Solar-powered lamps and lanterns for summer cottage, garden and country house (lawn and decorative)
These varieties are characterized by features such as lighting and decoration. They, unlike the spotlights, are not designed for full coverage of the site or building.
They are convenient to use, since they are small in size, easily transferred, do not require special wires and network connections - and at the same time create a pleasant atmosphere. 
For summer cottages and a country house, it is better to choose lanterns - they have a sensitive mechanism for switching on with the onset of twilight, and also give a brighter light than decorative lamps (figures of dwarfs, animals).
Important! At the time of buying lamp on the solar battery, carefully examine the packaging - they usually write about the degree of protection of the ceiling of the device from dirt and dust. This is evidenced by the inscription IP with numbers after it. The more of these numbers, the higher the protection.
You can also combine traditional electric lighting with solar powered ones - the combination will allow you to create a play of light. Ordinary lights will give a brighter and more saturated light, so they can be placed closer to the track or the entrance. But solar-powered lights will create a soft contrast to bright lighting and give the area a charm. 
The combination of lighting
Advantages and disadvantages
Of the merits, first of all, the following should be noted:
- small size and the ability to easily place lights anywhere;
- You can use them as a decorative element of the garden;
- saving money;
- devices of various forms, capacities, prices are on the market;
- they are weather resistant;
- create a soft and pleasant light;
- work is automated;
- do not need special maintenance.
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Among the minuses are the following:
- not all lamps are suitable for winter;
- the better the quality and power, the higher the cost;
- full charge takes at least 8 hours of bright sunlight;
- poorly accumulate energy on a bad day.
How to choose
The basic rules for choosing a good lamp to a private area:
- Carefully study the description and characteristics of the device, paying particular attention to the power, degree of protection from dirt and dust, resistance to bad weather and the presence of anti-corrosion coating.
- Consider where you need more light and select a more powerful device for this place. Note that conventional solar-powered lights are designed to cover a small area.
- The appearance of such devices is also important - beautiful lamps, lanterns and searchlights will make the area more lively and aesthetically pleasing.
- Look at the material from which the battery is made - it is preferable to take silicon.
terms of Use
Depending on the type of such a device, the conditions of operation also vary. For example, large lighting systems are often resistant to frost, so they will not need to be hidden for the winter. For small lanterns, garlands and decorative lights frosts can be disastrous. Typically, the manufacturer indicates such nuances in the instructions for the device. The rest of the device does not require special care.
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So, solar-powered lights are a convenient and economical solution for lighting private homes and territories. The main thing is to choose the sunniest places for them, then they will work better and longer. In this case, you will not only save money, but also contribute to the fight against environmental pollution.
