Solar lights are no longer jargon among home and commercial property owners. Even municipalities and city councils are going solar with an increasing number of solar street lights. The use of solar lights to light up indoor and outdoor spaces is at an all-time high following global environmental awareness.
Everyone is trying to play a role in preserving the environment for future generations. And the best way to do that is by going solar. Solar power is harnessed using solar panels to light up spaces. The energy is as green as it gets.
So, what are the reasons why solar lighting is trending? You have many reasons to go solar. We have just mentioned a few, but read on for details.
Before we get into why solar lights are a trend, let's briefly explain how they work. We will keep it as simple and brief as possible and avoid technical terms.
A solar lighting system consists of solar panels, a light sensor, batteries, a controller, LEDs, a casing, and a post. Let's explore each component's functions.
According to the sensor data, 38% of households use solar lights daily. Additionally, 45% use them 9 out of 10 days, and the remaining 17% use solar lights 6 out of s 10 days.
According to the report published on the Grand View Research Website, the global outdoor solar LED market size is predicted to be 24.75 billion dollars by 2028. The expected compound annual growth rate is 24.6%.
So, what contributes to the growing popularity of LED solar-powered lighting? Let's explore some of the most common reasons why they are a trend.
Solar LED lights are the best thing that has ever happened to humanity. Unlike high-pressure sodium lamps or metal halide lamps used in traditional outdoor lights, LEDs are highly efficient.
An average 60-watt LED light bulb uses about 0.01kWh of electricity per hour when it is on. This is much lower than an equivalent incandescent bulb, which consumes about .0.6kWh of electricity per hour.
Due to the low energy consumption of LED solar lights, it is possible to run them the whole night on a small battery bank. It is also possible to use an average solar panel system to light up large spaces throughout the night.
The cost of buying and installing a solar panel system has been reducing over the years. This has made solar panels more affordable to different homeowners and businesses.
Besides, governments worldwide offer credits, rebates, and incentives to encourage citizens to use renewable energy from the sun. Solar technology has also been advancing over the year. The cost of making solar cells and solar panels has gone down.
In 1977, one watt of photovoltaic cells would cost about $77. That has dropped to as low as $0.13 per watt, which tells you how fast the solar panel process decreases. Generally, the prices of buying solar panels follow Swanson's Law. This states that the cost of solar panels drops by 20% for every doubling of shipped solar panels.
If Swanson's law is anything to go by, the prices of solar panels will significantly drop. That is because many people are working towards reducing their carbon footprint.
Many people buy solar lights to offset their electricity bills. The cost of electricity has been steadily increasing in the past decades. Soaring electricity prices is why people choose solar energy as the next big thing.
In the United States, electricity prices have increased by about 15% from the previous year. This hike is attributed to the dependence on non-renewable sources, such as natural gas, used by most electric power generators.
Also, energy usage has been on the rise as many people spend more to heat their homes in the winter. The extended summer also means more reliance on AC systems to cool homes.
As mentioned, solar outdoor lights use the sun's energy. The sun is the only energy source they use. As the sunlight hits the solar cell, the photon energy is converted into electricity. That means you don't need to worry about electric bills once you install outdoor solar lights.
Government and non-governmental organizations are increasingly popularizing the need to use renewable sources to reduce carbon emissions. It is part of conserving natural resources for future generations, and everyone seems to dance to the tune
Every individual tries to reduce their carbon footprint, and the best way to do so is by using solar energy. That has been driving the solar light market, which is at its all-time high. It is not a surprise these days to see solar lights and other outdoor lighting systems powered by a solar panel. The traditional lights are being phased out by the rising use of solar lights.
You can get a solar lamp for any application. Technology has significantly evolved, and innovation in the solar industry is peaking. You will not miss the appropriate solar lighting system for your space.
The ease of finding solar lamps to buy has contributed to their rise in use. The following are the most common solar lamp types:
Reliability is another factor that has driven the use of solar lights. Solar outdoor lights can now store electrical energy that could keep them lit for only 4-5 hours. But that has changed with technological advancement.
The batteries have become so efficient to store enough power to drive the LED lights throughout the night. Mid-range solar lights can stay on for 12 hours, and high-end ones for 3-4 days. That means your outdoor lights will stay on that long even when there is no sunlight for those days.
LED technology has also increased the reliability of solar-powered outdoor lights. They have a lifespan of about 5-7 years, and their batteries also last as long. Besides, these solar lights require little to no maintenance. The idea of forgetting about energy bill for that period is enticing.
Solar lights are environmentally friendly and safe. You don't have to handle long cords during installation. Instead, they are compact units that generate their own power source, requiring no connection to the power grid. No risk of electrocution when installation or operation because no electrical current flows through the poles.
Since solar lights do not use cords, they enhance home security. Burglars have little chance of vandalizing them because they are more likely to be seen.
Solar lights also use LEDs, which are safe and do not emit any pollutants into the environment, unlike metal halides used in traditional systems.
People like choices, and no outdoor lighting system offers it more than solar lights. High-pressure sodium lamps are only limited to blinding yellow lights, which makes LED lights superior.
LED lights used in solar lighting systems can take any color. That is why they have diverse applications and double as decorative elements. Choose your preferred LED color if you don't want your driveway to look like a city street. They are available in different shades to choose from.
Additionally, LED solar lights are brighter than metal halide lamps or high-pressure sodium lamps. Property owners prefer them because of their high luminance.
Towns and cities often hit by power blackouts are much better off using solar lights to keep the streets lit during emergencies. The same applies to property owners. You don't want to stay in darkness because something happened to your utility power source.
Solar lighting systems are effective both as standalone light sources and as backups. As mentioned, they come with battery packs to store energy from the sun for later use.
Solar lights are the next big deal. Their use has been rising in the past few years, and the trend is set to continue. People like them because they are eco-friendly, easy to maintain, and use free energy from the sun. Using solar lights offsets your monthly power bills. The time to use solar lighting systems is now!
