by: Kriss Bergethon
So, you have made the decision to consider solar power. Maybe you are making the
move to go green, or maybe you are simply tired of paying those high electric
bills. Well, solar powered lighting can be a great option, and there are many
great advantages to the system. There are some problems too. You may have a few
questions before you make your final decision.
How many wires and lines will need to be run for the new lights? Absolutely
zero! That's right, zero. Each and every light works on its own and is
completely self-contained. You will not have to touch a single wire. The fact
that there are no lines to bury and no wires to string is a definite advantage
to the system.
Do you have to buy each piece separately? And, how will you know what to buy?
You can purchase individual pieces if you want to, but the great thing about
solar lights is that they often come in prepackaged sets that include everything
you will need to get started, even the batteries. You will not have to worry
about picking out individual components.
How much time will it take to maintain the new lights? Actually, maintenance on
photovoltaic lighting systems is very minor. LED lights last for much, much
longer than regular bulbs, and the batteries continually recharge. So, the only
maintenance you will have to perform for years to come would be routine
cleaning.
What will solar powered lights do for the electric bill? You will be happy to
see your electric bill after you install your new lights. And, if you were
running quite a few lights on electricity before, you will see a drastic change
in your monthly bill. Solar lights require no electricity, so the monthly cost
is a big zero.
Do you need a professional to install the system? Not at all! In most cases,
installation is as simple as putting together a few parts. Since no electrical
power is needed, no wire will need to be installed. If you are changing out the
lights in a large area, you may choose to hire help, but most of the time, it
will be a do it yourself project.
How can one use solar lighting to help go green? These types of lighting are
perhaps one of the biggest steps you can take in an effort to go green. By
taking your energy burden off of electricity, you are making a very green
choice, and it will be a satisfying choice.
Since this whole thing is based on the sun, what happens when it storms? Solar
lighting does depend on the sun, and you may have a little problem when it is
cloudy. The batteries in solar lighting can last for quite a while, but in the
case of several days without sun, you will notice the LED lights going dim.
Plus, you cannot install these lights in an area of constant shade, because
without some sort of exposure to the sun, the battery will not be able to
charge.
Are these lights totally dependable? The technology in PV lighting is not yet
totally perfected. While they work well for minor lighting and decorative
purposes, they would not be the best choice for absolutely critical lighting
situations. Standard electricity continues to be the best choice when it comes
to lighting that you cannot live without.
Am I going to break the bank installing my new lights? One of the biggest
disadvantages to a new lighting system is the high initial cost. The lights
themselves do cost more, and since you will be totally replacing your old
lights, the cost can be high in the beginning. So, making the decision to move
to solar lighting is not one to be taken lightly. But, the fact that the lights
will require no monthly cost may make the high starting off price the right
decision.
There are quite a few advantages to these systems and some minor disadvantages.
It is important to weigh all of these details. Once you have thought the
information through, you will see that your decision whether or not to install a
new Solar Lighting systems is quite simple.
About The Author
Kriss Bergethon is a writer and solar expert from Colorado.
Article Source: http://www.articlecity.com/articles/environment_and_going_green/article_273.shtml
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Solar Lighting Applications
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