solar powered lighting

solar powered lighting

Solar lights solve many challenges for housing subdivisions. This article describes simple applications of solar technology that homeowners’ associations can use to cut costs, increase security, and improve the aesthetics of their community. These applications include:

1. Solar sign lights for entrance signs and public buildings.
2. Solar-powered security lights to automatically light common areas as people approach.
3. Deck lights for use around pool, patio and tennis areas.
4. Landscape lights to highlight garden features and pathways.

Generally, solar systems save money in both installation and operation. They don’t need expensive wiring for installation and there is no need to connect to your local electric utility. The sun charges them every evening, and will automatically turn them on each evening.

Solar Sign Lights Most subdivisions have signs at their entrances, but these signs are typically far from the homes and utility connections. Rather than dig trenches and run wires to distant signs, solar sign lighting provides a cost-effective solution. They turn on automatically each evening, eliminating the requirement for a lamp timer. Smaller solar spotlights can even be used to mark street intersections or common buildings.

Motion-Activated Security Lighting Solar-powered floodlights come with motion sensors that automatically turn the light on as someone approaches. This capability can be used to improve security in dark areas around the complex, including entryways and walkways.

Deck Lights Many housing developments include swimming pools, tennis courts and common decks as part of their amenities. Solar deck lighting can be used to highlight these areas at night. Placed around the perimeter of a deck or walkway, these lights help guide residents to their destination and create a more festive atmosphere.

Landscape Lighting A wide range of solar garden lights are available to highlight landscape features around common areas. Most useful are solar pathway lights, which consist of decorative independent lights that emit a soft glow. These typically include an embedded solar panel so no wiring is necessary. All that needs to be done is stick them in the ground.

Help your homeowners’ association create an earth-friendly, low-cost and pleasant environment with solar lighting!

Maverick GL-03 Cordless LED Grill Light $22.99 Maverick GL03 Maverick Cordless Led Grill Light. This handy portable light features 4 brilliant LED bulbs which last 50,000 hours. Uses just 3 AA batteries (included) to provide convenient lighting anywhere. Energy efficient...

Solar Cordless LED Grill Light $29.99 This solar-powered LED barbecue light can light up your grill whenever you need it, and it clamps onto the side of your grill or any nearby spot to illuminate the area you need....

Mr Beams MB360 Wireless LED Spotlight with Motion Sensor and Photocell - Weatherproof - Battery Operated - 140 Lumens $19.99 Mr. Beams Intelligent LED Battery-Operated Lights Motion Sensor LED Spotlight Features MB360 Spotlightat a Glance: Battery-powered, wireless LED spotlight Attach anywhere Designed to work in all weather conditions Motion sensor with a range of up to 30 feet A...

Rite Lite LPL1040BX Wireless 40 LED Umbrella Light $15.00 This umbrella light features forty super bright LEDs. Multiple light settings give you control. Choose white LEDs for regular use or amber LEDs, which reduce the attraction of insects. You can also select the direction of the light output - uplight or downlight. It's battery-operated so there are no wires and no installation is required. Plus, there's no need to be near an outlet!...

Moonrays 91515 Turtles on a Log Solar-Powered Outdoor LED Light $11.51 Polyresin construction. 3 turtles rest on a log, shells glow at night with 3 amber LEDs. Rechargeable battery included....

Westek SLC6CFL 100W Programmable Screw-In Light Control, White $5.30 Adds safety security and convenience. Programmable off-timer from 2,5,8 hours random off timer deters intruders. Contact plunger allows adjustment of sensor window direction for optimum performance. Works with incandescent and compact fluorescent bulb. Digital microprocessor for full brightness and no flicker operation. Turn lights on at dusk and off at programmed time....

The Light Garden Lighted Willow Branch ...

Moonrays Rechargeable NiCd Batteries for Solar Powered Units, 4 Pack ...

Maxsa 6 LED Solar Powered Floodlight, Model# 40330 $50.22 This Maxsa 6 LED Solar Powered Floodlight is an ideal choice for signs, walkways, entrances, flags, signs, decks, porches or any outdoor areas where continuous light is needed. Six superbright LEDs automatically turn on at dusk; will run up to 4 hours on brightest setting, or up to 8 hours on lower power settting. Application: Outdoor, Light Type: LED, Power Source: Solar, Bulbs (qty.): 6, Batteri...

Victor 1190 Compact Desktop Calculator 12-Digit Lcd Dual Solar/Battery Power Auto Power Off $25.79 Victor 1190 Compact Desktop Calculator 12-Digit Lcd Dual Solar/Battery Power Auto Power Off...

Mini Mag Lite Replacement Lamp Reliable $11.99 Mini Mag Lite Lamp....

Royal Gelatin Raspberry $3.00 ...

Goal0 14101 Luna Light $7.95 Goal0 14101 Elite Luna is an ultra-portable 1 Watt LED light and every outdoor enthusiast's best friend. With its low power draw, the Luna illuminates anything from a keyboard to a tent....

Solar Portable Battery Pack with Flashlight and Lantern - Ideal for Charging iPhone, iPod, MP3, Droid, Smartphones, and Other USB Powered Devices - Unit Great for Camping, Hiking, and Other Outdoor Activites $29.99 XTG Technology Solar LanternSolar Portable Battery Pack with Flashlight and LanternGreat for Camping,Hiking, and Other Outdoor Activites.The perfect solution for emergency power and power on the go. The XTG-SOLLANT External battery and charger includes: Built-in Lithium Ion battery that can be charged using the provided USB cable or using sunlight via the solar panel. (USB cable included) Button ...

Emergency Solar Hand Crank Dynamo AM/FM/NOAA Weather Radio, Flashlight, Reading LED Light, Cell Phone Charger w/ USB adaptor $21.99 This is a MUST for any survival kit. It comes with AM/FM/SW/weather band radio, thermometer, cell phone charger jack, bright LED flashlight, and a flip up LED reading Light. It can be charged by solar, hand crank, 110 outlet (power adaptor not included), or 3 AA batteries (not included). Unit is small, compact, light, and easy to carry. Features: 4 Ways to Power Up: Hand Crank The Dynamo Ha...

Ultra Bright Garden Dragonflies 5 Blinking LEDs Solar Lights $20.92 Add these energy-efficent flashing solar powered dragonflies to your garden decor or favorite outdoor setting. These Solar Powered Dragonflies are designed to flash continuously in a set pattern, the stems are adjustable and arrangable making them idea to fit any garden setting. A complete charge will provide hours of illumination as a sensor automatically turns on the light at dusk and off at daw...

2PC Solar Power Waterproof LED 7 Colors Changing Floating Globe Swimming Pool Bathtub Party Lantern $24.99 This listing is for 2 Brand new Environment friendly Solar floating LED light.Package includes: two pcs Solar rechargeable floating rainbown pool LED light.Size: Diameter 4 3/8" x H 4 3/4" (11.2cm x 12cm)Completely waterproof, Made of High quality anti-heat plastic.Built in Solar Panel to absorb the sunlight to power the LEDs.Easy to light up, just push the middle bottonFree energy, no electricity...

Blue Ocean Political MOVA World Globe $134.99 Like our planet Earth, the incredible MOVA Globe rotates in space. Its clever drive system is powered by light from your room and the Earth's magnetic field. There are no batteries to replace and no unsightly wires or cords. Just place the globe on the included acrylic display stand and watch as it begins to rotate. The Mova Globe is a mesmerizing piece for a desk or tabletop, or better yet, a ric...

The Solar House: Passive Heating and Cooling $15.69 Passive solar heating and passive cooling—approaches known as natural conditioning—provide comfort throughout the year by reducing, or eliminating, the need for fossil fuel. Yet while heat from sunlight and ventilation from breezes is free for the taking, few modern architects or builders really understand the principles involved. Now Dan Chiras, author of the popular book “The Nat...

Solar Water Heating: A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Water and Space Heating Systems (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series) $15.60 Heating water with the sun is almost as old as humankind itself, and it is done all over the world. Yet there are strangely few resources on the topic in North America. Solar Water Heating fills this gap. It reviews the history of solar water and space heating systems from prehistory to the present, then presents the basics of solar water heating, including an introduction to modern solar energy ...

Solar Power Your Home For Dummies $8.42 Want to take advantage of solar power in your home? Whether you’re looking to save on your energy costs by adding a few solar components or you want to build a solar-powered house from the ground up, Solar Power For Dummies takes the mystery out of this energy source and shows you how to put it to work for you!This friendly, hands-on guide is packed with tips for making your home more ener...

Sunforce 50022 5-Watt Solar Battery Trickle Charger $49.95 Solar Power Chargers for your 12V batteries and accessories. Power-up anywhere, affordably! These Solar Power devices grab free "juice" from the sun! They extend the life of your 12V batteries, maintain the charge and allow you to run various electronics (deer feeders, landscaping pumps, etc.) from your batteries. Clean, silent operation... with both cigarette lighter adapter and battery clamps. T...

Soladec Hybrid All-in-One Portable Solar Power Charger and External Battery Pack with Integrated Ultra High-Flux LED Light for iPod, iPhone, iPad and Other USB Devices $94.99 With the ability to charge over 3500 different electronic devices with nothing but sunlight, the Soladec Hybrid Solar Powered Charger by MiseMet is designed to provide practical clean solar energy right out of the box, and to promote the use of renewable power sources in the everyday home. Perfect for frequent travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, or for emergency situations, the Soladec is a versati...

Nexus: The Jupiter Incident $6.18 At the dawn of the 22nd century, ambitious mega-corporations monopolize the colonization of the solar system.  As Captain Marcus Cromwell, you find yourself in the middle of a conflict that could destroy the balance of the universe.Focus on tactics and combat as you command fleets of capital-class ships. Encounter alien species, explore unknown solar systems and discover other phenomena in yo...

Worldshift $0.71 An epic strategic andimmsersive fantasy roleplay.Product InformationWorldshift is a next-gen cyber-fantasy RTS game designed to beimmersive and intuitive.  It offers fierce encounters allaround theEarth and a fascinating story uncovering ancient secrets about the truenature of the Shard and the Plague.  Worlshift also includesfeaturessuch as modifiable factions unique cooperative multipl...

Coleman LED String Lights $19.99 Rope some fun into your campsite with the Coleman(r) LED string lights....

d.light S10 Solar LED Lantern $15.95 d.light S10 is a bright and durable replacement for flashlights, battery-powered lanterns, candles, and kerosene lanterns. It is 3 to 5 times brighter than a kerosene lantern, and is built to survive tough conditions, including accidental drops onto hard mud or concrete, rainshowers, and intense heat and dust. d.light S10 provides space lighting for the home, workplace, or while traveling. It al...

HYBRID SOLAR POWERED FLASHLIGHT WITH EMERGENCY BATTERY BACKUP BLACK (*2-pack*) $23.96 Hybrid Solar Powered Flashlight! Doesn't Need To Be Left In The Sun! Once Charged It Can Be Stored Anywhere And Holds A Full Charge For Over 3 Years! The Hybrid Solar Light uses revolutionary technology that generates power from sunlight and stores it. When fully charged the Hybrid Solar Light can hold a charge for years. It is environmentally friendly, durable and guaranteed for life*. Features: ...

Maverick GL-03 Cordless LED Grill Light $22.99 Maverick GL03 Maverick Cordless Led Grill Light. This handy portable light features 4 brilliant LED bulbs which last 50,000 hours. Uses just 3 AA batteries (included) to provide convenient lighting anywhere. Energy efficient...

Solar Cordless LED Grill Light $29.99 This solar-powered LED barbecue light can light up your grill whenever you need it, and it clamps onto the side of your grill or any nearby spot to illuminate the area you need....

Mr Beams MB360 Wireless LED Spotlight with Motion Sensor and Photocell - Weatherproof - Battery Operated - 140 Lumens $19.99 Mr. Beams Intelligent LED Battery-Operated Lights Motion Sensor LED Spotlight Features MB360 Spotlightat a Glance: Battery-powered, wireless LED spotlight Attach anywhere Designed to work in all weather conditions Motion sensor with a range of up to 30 feet A...

Rite Lite LPL1040BX Wireless 40 LED Umbrella Light $15.00 This umbrella light features forty super bright LEDs. Multiple light settings give you control. Choose white LEDs for regular use or amber LEDs, which reduce the attraction of insects. You can also select the direction of the light output - uplight or downlight. It's battery-operated so there are no wires and no installation is required. Plus, there's no need to be near an outlet!...

Moonrays 91515 Turtles on a Log Solar-Powered Outdoor LED Light $11.51 Polyresin construction. 3 turtles rest on a log, shells glow at night with 3 amber LEDs. Rechargeable battery included....

Westek SLC6CFL 100W Programmable Screw-In Light Control, White $5.30 Adds safety security and convenience. Programmable off-timer from 2,5,8 hours random off timer deters intruders. Contact plunger allows adjustment of sensor window direction for optimum performance. Works with incandescent and compact fluorescent bulb. Digital microprocessor for full brightness and no flicker operation. Turn lights on at dusk and off at programmed time....

The Light Garden Lighted Willow Branch ...

Moonrays Rechargeable NiCd Batteries for Solar Powered Units, 4 Pack ...

Maxsa 6 LED Solar Powered Floodlight, Model# 40330 $50.22 This Maxsa 6 LED Solar Powered Floodlight is an ideal choice for signs, walkways, entrances, flags, signs, decks, porches or any outdoor areas where continuous light is needed. Six superbright LEDs automatically turn on at dusk; will run up to 4 hours on brightest setting, or up to 8 hours on lower power settting. Application: Outdoor, Light Type: LED, Power Source: Solar, Bulbs (qty.): 6, Batteri...

Victor 1190 Compact Desktop Calculator 12-Digit Lcd Dual Solar/Battery Power Auto Power Off $25.79 Victor 1190 Compact Desktop Calculator 12-Digit Lcd Dual Solar/Battery Power Auto Power Off...

Solar Bud by Luceplan $171 The Solar Bud, by Luceplan, designed by Ross Lovegrove in 1998, accompanies your footsteps in the dark by illuminating every step. Decorate areas that are difficult to see, such as a door entrance, pool area, or walk way. Solar powered batteries recharge themselves by the sun in five hours and provide up to fifteen hours of light! Founded in 1978 by three Milanese architects, Luceplan's strategy is grounded in design, respect for the environment and quality. The Solar Bud by Luceplan is available with a Transparent diffuser and Aluminum finish. The Solar Bud by Luceplan provides diffused lighting. It utilizes three LED's with a Solar-Rechargeable battery (not included). UL Listed. Shipping: This item usually ships within two business days. Expedited shipping may be available for an additional fee. Please call for more information. Dimensions: Overall Height 15 in. Diffuser: Diameter 6 in.

Bellino G- Tech Solar Laptop Backpack - Black $112 Bellino-A nylon solar powered laptop backpack that is both functional and environmentally friendly.

JBL TerraControl Solar - size: length 95 cm / width 65 cm $18.65 JBL TerraControl Solar is powered through a high-performance solar cell that needs very little light to function. No batteries are necessary making operation very environmentally-friendly. The JBL TerraControl Solar is a solar-powered digital thermometer and hygrometer suitable for all terrariums. Features of the JBL TerraControl Solar Swivelling solar-powered digital thermometer and hygrometer for all terrariums Power supplied by a powerful solar cell that requires minimum light Convenient mounting anywhere in the terrarium by Velcro tape Mounting plate that can be mounted on the left or right as desired Temperature range -30 to +50 °C Humidity range 20 - 99 % relative air humidity

JBL TerraControl Solar - size: length 95 cm / width 65 cm $18.65 JBL TerraControl Solar is powered through a high-performance solar cell that needs very little light to function. No batteries are necessary making operation very environmentally-friendly. The JBL TerraControl Solar is a solar-powered digital thermometer and hygrometer suitable for all terrariums. Features of the JBL TerraControl Solar Swivelling solar-powered digital thermometer and hygrometer for all terrariums Power supplied by a powerful solar cell that requires minimum light Convenient mounting anywhere in the terrarium by Velcro tape Mounting plate that can be mounted on the left or right as desired Temperature range -30 to +50 °C Humidity range 20 - 99 % relative air humidity

G-Tech Solar Auto Fan - SIlver $24 G-Tech-Stay cool when the temperature heats up in your car. This clever, solar-powered auto fan circulates the air to help reduce the temperature without the need for standard electricity.

Solar Floating Light-Color Changing Light - 4.3 in. $28.99 Add interest and illumination to your ornamental pond with Pondmaster's Solar-powered Color-changing Floating lights. These floating orbs will charge in the daylight hours by storing the sun's energy to produce a dazzling light show at dusk and into the night. The clear plastic orb houses the color-changing lights, and a weight on the bottom ensures maximum sunlight exposure. This color-changing Solar Floating light has a 4.3 in. meter. Pair with the larger size, or a variety of solid-colored solar lights, to create a unique show!

Solar Floating Light-Color Changing Light - 6.3 in. $29.99 Add interest and illumination to your ornamental pond with Pondmaster's Solar-powered Color-changing Floating lights. These floating orbs will charge in the daylight hours by storing the sun's energy to produce a dazzling light show at dusk and into the night. The clear plastic orb houses the color-changing lights, and a weight on the bottom ensures maximum sunlight exposure. This color-changing Solar Floating light has a 6.3 in. diameter. Pair with the smaller size, or a variety of solid-colored solar lights, to create a unique show!

G-Tech Solar Reading Lamp - SIlver $24 G-Tech-No electricity? No problem! Loaded with 7 bright LED lights, this solar-powered lamp never leaves you in the dark. It?s portable, compact, and easy to fold, and an additional mini USB port connects to your computer for charging when needed. A great piece for outdoor activities.

Sunshine Solar Eclipse Sun Shade $9.99 Sunshine Solar Eclipse Sun Shade

Carrom Players Air Powered Hockey $149.99 Carrom Players Air Powered Hockey

I’ve really had bad luck with the outdoor solar lights. They don’t light up as bright. The batteries often wear out quickly and worst of all, they don’t hold up with the weather.

I’d still advise going with some electrical “hard-wired” lights.