Almost everyone in the United States has chosen sustainable living by changing to renewable energy. In 2020, solar energy accounted for over 3% of electric generation in the country. It mainly resulted from the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel usage.
Are you looking for a way to reduce your energy bills and save the world? In that case, solar lighting systems would be your best option.
Some refer to solar lights as unique movable light fixtures that utilize the sun’s energy to generate electricity indoors and outdoors. In short, these lights are a well-known source of clean energy, and the panels have successfully produced over 97.2 gigawatts of electricity.
Such facts are sure to intrigue you. So, if you want to know more about solar lighting, keep reading!
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The Scientific Definition of A Solar Light
These are lights that brighten your home using solar energy. Simply put, solar refers to the sun, while light means to provide illumination. Hence, these devices can produce warm white light using the sun’s energy.
It is a portable fixture that features a photovoltaic panel with high-performing LED lamps.
These products also have a battery charging system that recharges automatically using renewable energy from the sun. In the United States, these lights have become an economical way to generate electricity for day-to-day requirements.
There are four main components found in the anatomy of solar light:
- The solar photovoltaic panel or PV system containing solar cells to trap the solar energy and convert it into electricity
- An automatic battery that stores the converted solar power for your home
- A control system that allows you to keep the light’s intensity in check
- Light fixtures made from stainless steel to help you decide where to install the product
- An LED light that captures the electric energy and emits light due to the fusion reaction
You will find various kinds of devices, mainly indoor and outdoor ones. Hence, you can install these solar-powered fixtures in public and private locations. For example, the government can use it for traffic or street lights, and you can install some solar garden lights.
How Does a Solar Light Work?
Irrespective of the type of light you get, the portion with the panels should be in your outdoor space. Doing so will help enhance the photovoltaic effect and produce strong electrical energy.
The first step in the illumination process begins at the brink of dawn when the solar panel gets sunlight. The panels absorb this sunlight using solar cells.
When the light strikes these cells, the electrons present in the crystalline silicon get ejected. As a result, there are vacancies produced through the escaped electrons. The electrons generate a negative layer, and the holes become a positive layer in the electric field.
According to ACS, this electric field charges up when the negatively charged electrons and positively charged fields meet, and it excites the electrons. In turn, it creates an electrical charge.
Besides, the flow of electrons allows it to cross the depletion zone, which helps create a surge of electricity in the cells. In short, the natural light converts into a unique direct electrical current. This current then flows through wires and the charge controller to reach the batteries for storage.
Benefits of Solar Lights
Solar lights come in various types. Some of them include indoor or outdoor solar lights. Moreover, you can also find a kind of solar street light in the United States owned by the government.
Similarly, there are solar string, spot, post, flood, fence, and more types on the market. Irrespective of the type, you will gain the following benefits:
- Environmentally friendly devices
- Unlimited energy and electricity
- Little to no maintenance is required
- Numerous varieties of available products
Along with these, the cost-effectiveness will also be in your favor. Overall, these products are a great way to produce electricity daily in the United States.
How Long Does a Solar Light Last, and How Much Will It Cost?
In most LEDs (solar lights), there is an automatic turn-on feature. Due to this, the device automatically turns on the light at night using the current stored in the battery.
These light fixtures can illuminate your home for 6 to 8 hours. Some military-issued lights could also work for 12 hours on a single charge. Remember that the sun’s intensity and the location of the panels will influence the overall lighting situation.
Solar lights are very inexpensive when it comes to your electric bill. However, the overall costs will depend on your local area’s energy production, consumption, and electricity rate.
As a rule of thumb, a residential solar panel unit of 5kW will cost around $5 per watt. Hence, the overall cost of installation will be approximately $25,000. In some cases, the wattage costs $3, making it $15,000 for installation.
Solar lights do not require too many installation costs since they are ready-made. For example, the cheapest one could span between $20 to $40, while the average can be $150. Some products could also be more than $1,000.
There are various solar energy basics that would help you determine the cost of using solar energy near your United States home. Indeed, optimizing your consumption and maximizing the installation would help balance the financial equation.
With this, your energy needs could cost you a few thousand dollars in a year with a 25-year lifecycle product.
The Bottom Line
Now you know these LED lights feature a solar panel with multiple solar cells. Once the sunlight hits the panel, the negative charge and positive charge work together to create electricity in the solar cells. This electric current is stored in the rechargeable battery after the solar energy conversion, which helps light up the bulbs.
Moreover, you can get warm white light from any product you invest in.
It is not only environmentally friendly but also offers an easy-to-maintain essence. Depending on the high-performing battery, these light fixtures can illuminate your home for 4 to 12 hours. At the same time, it only costs you a few thousand dollars annually.
So, are you ready for a personal solar lighting fixture in or around your home?